The "10 pound" slump (and other ramblings).

Well, with a few short months to go until deployment ends, I've found myself becoming more and more acquainted with the gym on post. Waller Gym (or just "Waller") has turned itself into my second home - every day I try to get to the gym for at least an hour or two, trying to shed the last few pounds before Derek gets home. It's a great place to meet with new friends and hit up some classes; I've done a few spinning classes, a Zumba class, and I'll be attending more soon!

Though I was working hard and making an effort to watch what I ate, I was getting frustrated with my body. I've got about 10 more pounds to go until I'm at my goal weight and I couldn't seem to get over the "10 pound slump" (that's what I like to call it). Everyone suggested something different: "up your calorie intake", "do more cardio", "just change up your routine". I tried them all but I didn't feel like they were working. Frustration and disappointment set in, and I let myself get back into my old mindset. "Taking a day off from working out isn't going to kill me," I'd rationalize. Because, everyone knows, finding the motivation to go to the gym when you're feeling down about yourself is the biggest obstacle of all. Right?

Here's the thing though:

It's not about what I weigh. It's about how I feel about myself. If I feel comfortable in my own skin, then I'm not going to worry about what I weigh. I'll lose the 10 pounds one way or another, but for now, I'm just doing what I can to feel healthy. Making sure I hit the gym once a day gives me a sense of purpose - I'm doing what I can to get in shape with the little time I've got left until Derek comes home. All I want is to feel great about how I look when he sees me for the first time. And that's all the motivation I need.

Another thing has happened, though! I've started my "pre-homecoming" beauty preparations! This includes nightly Crest 3D Whitening Strips, an updated skin-care routine, and the start of a tanning regimen - I need to get myself pampered and prettied for his homecoming.

I've been impressed with how the white strips have been working, since I was skeptical about how effective they'd be. I started seeing results within a few days and plan on using them through the end of April (or at least until the pack runs out). For $30, they were worth it and self-whitening definitely beats sitting in a dentist's chair for an hour with uncomfortable trays in your mouth.

The soap I've been using is from Whole Foods - it's called "South of France, Gardenia" and it smells divine. The lather is really foamy, which makes for a great bathing experience. It's softened up my skin considerably; combining that with my Burt's Bees "Vanilla and Shea Scrub" has done wonders for my skin.

Now, I've just got to start getting myself out in the sun... But that would mean the weather would have to be warmer and the sun would have to come out. So, for that, I'll have to wait a little while longer. I think I might just get a few tanning sessions at the tanning salon so I can get a nice color going, then just continue it when the weather gets warmer.

Spring is almost upon us here in Colorado! 

And that means wonderful things!