Partner is required

Okay - a partner - whether trying to get finances in order or losing weight/getting fit - is critical. I SO did NOT want to get out of bed this morning. I'm on break from work. I knew it was cold outside. It just wasn't going to happen. My dog has passed a few years ago, and if HE were still here, once the alarm went off, he would have me up and going. Our current dogs are NOT morning animals! D got me up, out of bed, made me get dressed and go for a walk. I do feel better after doing it, but that "memory" of a feeling was not going to cut it this AM :P

So, as in all things - a partner - someone to motivate you, keep you on track, bounce ideas off of and just share - is really necessary. We've done the Financial Peace University together and Dave says the same thing - you have to have an "accountability partner" when you are budgeting and working with money. I think the same applies for weight loss. I'm also not just shooting for losing weight. I need to get healthier. I was placed on blood pressure meds about 4 months ago. I do NOT want to be on them for the rest of my life. So, losing weight is important, but more importantly, increasing my cardiovascular health by increasing activity is also necessary.

We did our walk this AM. We've had a pretty good pace the last two days - about 25 minutes for 1.5 miles, but the neighborhood is incredibly hilly, so for it not being flat, I'll take the time that we've been doing. I remember way back when - we first started walking the neighborhood and it took us almost 40 minutes to do that section. So, progress. I've also noticed my breathing is getting better. On the really big hill, I'm controlling it pretty well and not breathing incredibly heavy until about 1/3 of the way up. I'm not really breathing hard until we almost get to the top. So, hopefully that's a good sign. I REALLY need to find my heart rate monitor. I found the chest strap, but I can't find the wrist monitor :P

So - weight progress this week - since Tuesday when we re-started - 3.8 pounds gone. I'm setting smaller goals. My first goal is 10 pounds. Then, it's going to go to 13. That would be a 10% loss with those two goals - 23 pounds total. But, I think I need the "quick win" of the ten pounds to stay motivated, then set a new goal. We are also using the LoseIt! App - this is great and it's free. I can log all my food and exercise and just monitor a little better. It adjusts the calories for your weight - but I'm not even concerned with that. I've just found - as I know many people who are losing weight or have lost a significant amount of weight - that food journaling really helps with weight loss. Since the app is free, it just seems reasonable to use it. I can also track my weight on it - which helps. I can actually see a graph of my progress - which is very encouraging. I think they set out to make it similar to the weight watchers app, but it's free - no meeting fees or any other fees. I wish I could export the graphs and post on here - I'll have to see if there's a way to do that :)