Last night I trudged around my neighborhood in my heavy snow boots and wearing a weighted vest, trying to get to 7000 steps. It was almost sunset and I turned to see the beautiful view in this photo. I took many more pictures on my walk and none of them looked as amazing as it was in person.

It was the Belly Fat Bootcamp that motivated me to go outside while the plows were still making their rounds. It seemed better than the alternative, (the 30 year old treadmill), and it was. The daily step goal for week one was 7000+ steps. It will increase by 1000 steps each week. So as this will be my second week, I’ll do 8000+ steps each day. Then, during week six, I will hopefully be getting in 12,000 steps per day.

I listened to The Two Towers as I walked, but rather than me seeing Gollum frolicking in the forbidden pool, it looked like I was entering Narnia.

Speaking of Lord of the Rings, Bobby and I did go see the first one at Cinemark Friday night, and I did eat a medium popcorn with layered butter. That was the only meal I ate this week that was not on the plan. I’ve been consistent, but not perfect.

I also missed the daily step goal one day this week.

Aha. That was Thursday. I went to the movies with my father and sister. We saw Song Sung Blue. I loved it! But I must have run out of time for walking that day.

The workout plan (not including the cardio) is basically 4 days of full body strength training workouts, with three rest days. On two of the days, there is also an abs/core workout. I tweaked it a little. I do only the lower body exercises with the plan and workout my upper body on the rest days. So, I don’t have rest days, but every day requires a shorter time in the basement, which I prefer. I hope I’ll still achieve great results.

One of my struggles is that I want to see immediate results. I need patience. Change takes time. It takes consistency and effort. I just need to stop focusing on the scale, the tape measure, the mirror, the pizza I can’t have, the peanut M & M’s that look yummy, and the words “hot chocolate”.

I want to thank God for my health, my strength, my nourishing food, all things beautiful… and enjoy the journey.