The ups and downs

Nanette and Ali, your recent posts make me feel pretty inspired. Thanks! I'm so proud of us all for still being in the game. Great determination!
LIke everyone, I have had a solid mix of good weeks and bad ones. I think I've only hit the goal of three strength trainings and 100 minutes of cardio once during the whole three months of the program. (And that was the week when I took a couple vacation days mid-week to take care of myself.) I knew finding the time was going to be hard, I just didn't realize how hard. The good news is that every week I have at least done something, which is a lot more than I was doing before. And now I finally WANT to work out when I can grab the time.
I've become a new vocal advocate for PUSH.tv. Despite my limitations, the program has really worked for me. I've lost 2 pounds, and have definitely regained some muscle mass (and possibly even gained some muscle weight!). At a party last weekend, one of my friends noticed how flat my stomach has become. I'm starting to get real muscle definition in my abs. The skin's a bit looser, but the muscles look a lot like they did when I was 22. I've lost a full inch off my waistline! (Thanks for talking me through all those crunches, Jon!) And more than that, I actually enjoy my workouts.  If you haven't tried the kickboxing cardio, try it! She makes you feel like a champ.
My failure to do enough cardio, though, has meant that I haven't lost anything from my thighs or around my hips. Which means, I still can't zip those pants from a couple years ago even if I can button the waistband. The upside is that it IS possible and now I know what it will take to get there. The bad news is that I know just how hard finding that time is going to be.
Hang in there through all the cookies, hams, briskets and candy!