I lost just under a pound and a half. I'm good with that, especially as I've been eating more than usual (healthily, but definitely more) and I'm currently at the time of the month when my clothes are usually tighter anyway. And no chocolate craving as yet.

So the tiger has moved. This makes me very happy.

I did more than a sop to my exercise routine yesterday for the first time, an hour of strength training and 30 minutes of cardio. Not all at once, I had breaks for the cardio, because I've never liked the way cardio makes me feel even when I *was* fit, and I'm trying to persuade myself that doing this regularly will be good and fun. Ha. I've done a couple of ten minute bursts during the week, but yesterday I kept coming back and doing a bit more. Bouncing around on a stability ball has its amusing side for sure. I've given up trying to follow anything coordinated for the time being.

I enjoyed the strength training. Hate crunches. Nothing new there either, but I've been pulling my stomach muscles in as tight as possible and holding them for fifteen seconds before releasing, whether moving around, standing, sitting or lying. This seems to have helped, because when I measured my waist this morning - yes I know it says once a month, but I was feeling thinner and wanted to check - I've lost an inch. Which is great whatever the cause. One twelfth of the way there.

My health goals for next week are to keep planning my food in advance and do strength and cardio for three proper sessions, although I'll probably still split the cardio up - as well as carry on with the eight minutes of seated stretching exercises that I've been doing every other day. For next week I'd like that to be daily. I'm hoping this will ease some of the chronic tension in my neck and upper back from being on crutches all the time. I'm putting it up here to be accountable. So please give me encouragement if it looks like I need it.

Wishing all you lovely Sparkpeople a very happy weekend.