It’s Saturday, 9:30am. I’m in my favorite pj pants, curled up on our used-to-be-white sectional couch. Outside, a cacophony of crickets, traffic, and capoeira music from the school across the block do their best to drift into my house and annoy the shit out of me. It’s working. Why, oh why, couldn’t we have found an affordable shotgun house in the Marigny? Maybe in 6 months when our lease is up.

I’m trying to get my shit together for the day, but I woke up bleary-eyed and confused, and I’m still somewhat in that range. There was breakfast, so that’s good – two eggs, toast, and some grapefruit juice – and I realized that it’s time to go grocery shopping again. My body aches today; I’m not sure if it’s from the little bit of running I got in, or from sleeping weird. My lower back hurts again, and though I know I should be packing up my gear and heading to yoga right now, I just can’t seem to get motivated. Maybe I’ll do my shopping in an hour or so, and by the time I’ve got all of the provisions purchased unpacked, it’ll be time for the afternoon class.

This morning I weighed in at 159.8 lbs, which is a nice spot down from yesterday. Today I’ve got to be really diligent about going to yoga and getting in the rest of my exercise, plus staying within my 1200 calorie limit. It’s tough, but nowhere near impossible.

I’ve decided that my first major goal on the list is to reach 156 lbs. and stay there for a week. After that, my next goal will be 151 lbs, then 148 lbs, then 145 lbs, 143 lbs, and 140 lbs. I’ve been researching weight loss goal setting, and something that stuck with me is that rewards should be things that help you lose weight. While I still plan to give myself presents that make me feel pretty (clothes and shoes), with this factoid in mind I’ve decided that my first reward is going to be that pair of Zaggora hot pants that I’ve wanted for so long. Luckily, I’ve waited long enough that now they’ve come out with a newer, thinner version. Can’t wait to try them out!

OK, time to get off my butt and get out to the grocery store.