i have a new motto

never stay home because you're scared.

on that note,
i'm going to a bulgarian restuarant for sunday lunch with a bunch of people i don't know from meetup.com (organizes people with similar interests in the same city)
and i'm having dinner tonight with the author i wrote about last time.

this is kind of embarrassing to talk about, but i had been feeling unhealthy and fat and generally blahy for awhile here
and i was looking to change that, but i'm not gonna keep going to the loud music gym
so, i joined this thing called sparkpeople.com a week ago.
it is SUCH A GREAT TOOL if you're trying to lose some poundage or just get generally healthier.
it helps you plan menus (if you want), tells you maximum AND minimum calories (total and by carbs, proteins, and fats)
i had never broken down my calories like this, and was surprised to find that both my proteins and fats go below their lower limit usually and the carbs go above. even when i'm eating what i THINK is a lot of protein! i even made hard-boiled eggs for the first time!
it even has recipes where you can search by ingredient!
it also tracks your produce and the number of glasses of water you drink in a really cute, pictorial way.

AND it plans an exercise regime for you,
giving you strength training days and exercises (with video) based on what equipment you have.
there are even silly full length videos (like cardio bootcamp or AB BLAST! etc.)

AND it helps you track other goals as well, like getting 8 hours of sleep. you get a new set of goals every two weeks, so it's never overwhelming - you pick what you want to focus on.
all in all, this is an amazing FREE program!

and i think it's helping me diet healthfully for the first time ever! (instead of eating as little as possible or eating nothing all day and then four slices of pizza for dinner:/)
even with the calorie minimums, all the walking and the standing and gesticulating while teaching has caused me to lose FIVE pounds already. and i already feel a difference in my energy level, well-being, and oddly enough, in my skin and my SENSE of strength. i hope i can keep this up! i feel really great about it! (although i expect to lose about 2 pounds per week after this first one, haha) wish me luck, babies!