In the groove?

The past few months, I've had many frustrating moments just trying to get dressed in the morning. I feel very discouraged because my clothes aren't fitting the way they used to (obviously - I've regained 20 pounds!). Sometimes, I go through a ridiculous number of outfits before I find one I feel comfortable enough in to wear in front of a classroom.

Thankfully, the past couple of weeks, I've been doing a better job of focusing on the positive. Instead of being discouraged by snug clothing that used to be too loose, I am using it to motivate me to stay on track and reach my goals. After all, this clothing is proof that I can do it! I've done it before, after all. :)

I'm cautiously optimistic that I'm back in the swing of things. Even though last week wasn't "perfect" (I had a couple of evenings where I didn't track everything I ate), it was still pretty good, and I worked out four times. At my Weight Watchers meeting yesterday, I was down 2.2 lbs! I still haven't gotten to where I was before Christmas, but at least I'm going in the right direction again.

This week is off to a great start. I made it to the gym yesterday and today, and I've tracked all my eats thus far. I've also been sticking with one of the strategies I discussed in my new year's resolution post - drinking enough water. I've been tracking my water pretty faithfully and have definitely increased my intake.

Today's workout was extra-fun: I took my mom to a Zumba class! She liked it so much, that she wants us to start going regularly! I'm really excited about this, because I'm much more likely to stick to a workout if I have a buddy.

Before I go unwind and get ready for bed, I need to share with you some very rude yoga behaviour I witnessed yesterday:

I was trying a yoga class at my gym for the first time. There were three girls sitting up at the front beside me. Before the class started, one of the girl's cell phones went off. She reached for it, and I assumed she was turning it off... nope! It continued to go off repeatedly (at least 4 times) throughout the class. I think she may have actually been texting at one point.

Not only that, all three girls were constantly whispering, chatting, and giggling at everything. It made it super difficult to actually focus and try to meditate. Towards the end, when we were lying on our backs and trying to clear our minds, they very noisily gathered up their stuff and left.

Those same girls were at Zumba today, but that's a much different environment. Hopefully they stay away from yoga in the future!

That's all I have to report today - I hope you all have a great week!

New Clothes!

So I went shopping today for some new clothes, and I bought a new blouse that I think is pretty flattering... and now I can barely drag myself away from the mirror long enough to write this.

Can you blame me? (excuse the dorky pose, hair, and anything else objectionable in this picture...)

I even look hot all blurry (this is possibly an improvement, actually):

These photos really don't do me justice, haha. I have not mastered the "self-portrait" thing AT ALL.

Now I need somewhere to wear this (preferably somewhere with seating, as I can't really walk in heels)...

I tried on this style of blouse once before, but the largest size (at a different store) was a bit too tight and I looked like a sausage... an attractive sausage, to be sure, but still not the look I was going for.

At Reitmans, I was a size 13 in pants (yay!)... and you'll never guess what size tops I managed to squeeze into (yes, I squeezed)...

At first, I expected (and hoped) to fit into a 13. I also tried on an 11 in a fit of optimism. The 11 was a bit loose... so then I had the audacity to try a 9!!!

A 9!! That's ONE digit, folks!

I'm so used to not even going IN stores that sell "normal" sizes (and, admittedly, Reitmans is a store that always carried my size). When shopping with my friends, I always felt very uncomfortable and out of place. I would worry that they would want me to try things on, and I would have to admit that nothing would fit me.

If anything, I would expect to MAYBE fit into the LARGEST size at certain stores (like the occasional XXL at Old Navy). To be able to buy something that isn't in the largest size is such a weird (and wonderful) feeling!

I also bought this sweater 'cause I really liked the neckline (I'm very tired and haggard-looking today and I also need a haircut, fyi):

My newfound hotness has really inspired me to kick some ass at Booty Camp tonight! My motivation has REALLY been lagging lately, and I haven't been tracking everything, or caring really if I went over my points... from now on, when I need a shot of motivation, I'll just put on some of my hot new clothes!