The number today sat at 180.5, which I suppose is realistic, now that I'm feeling better and eating a regular diet again. Oh, but those 170's sure felt good. I'm sure I'm only a day or two away from really being there. It still sort of bums me out that I have to document it.

Today is a workout day, but I haven't been sleeping very well, so I hope to get in a workout this afternoon. Traffic was monstrous, yesterday. In fact, it took me thirty minutes just to get 10 miles out of the city. That's insane! I ended up going to my mother's as sort of a pit stop. I couldn't bare to sit in traffic anymore.

I didn't mention that I went to my water aerobics class last Friday. Our teacher said, "Good to have you back." Hmm. I wonder if she meant it? We had pool noodles that were shaped like "U's" and we had to stand on them, at one point (in the deep end). For those who don't know how water aerobics works, you were a huge belt around your midriff that acts as a floatation device. That way, you can use the resistance in the deep end without drowning. I gotta tell yeah...sometimes I'd much rather be without that blasted belt. It's so cumbersome! It's always riding up under my chest, no matter how tight or loose I leave it.

So, back to the pool noodles. I was trying...desperately to stand on mine, but it kept popping up and I looked absolutely ridiculous. Everyone else seemed to have no problem. Then, we did something else with them for a bit. By the time we went back to standing on them, everyone was having issues. I'm glad I'm not the only one who suffered from lack of coordination with the noodles.

I felt great, at class end and look forward to the next one. It was nice leaving the building with the sun still shining. That's new for me.

The Water has left and the Fat is leaving behind it. Keep moving. Don't stop. Just keep marching because I don't want to see you again (well, Water I know, he can't help himself. He'll be back when TOM returns. But Fat, you're ass is outta here!). The magic number 178.5 means that I am no longer in the 180s and, hopefully, won't return. I am too thrilled! It also means I've hit another goal. With 16 pounds gone, I am now ready for my masseuse. I may wait, like hubby suggested, and do the nails and back rub while we're on vacation; however, as I think about it more, how fabulous would it be to have my nails done and prettied up before I leave and my back all worked out and wonderful to get the vacation started off right? I'll ponder a bit longer on it.

To celebrate that fabulousness that is me today, I am wearing a sun dress (in size medium, thank you very much). It's a red maxi (going down to nearly my ankles) with subtle black floral patterns all over, off-the-shoulder in a sweet chiffon. The shoes? Red mules that are showing off my painted red toes that are too hot! I've gotten lots of compliments on my outfit today and have been told, "You look too good for work." I should just leave, right? If only I had a date.

Well, I weighed today. I know it's not Wednesday; however, TOM is almost gone and I feel the water weight leaving. The number on the scale was kind 182.5 thank goodness. It's a small change, but a change nonetheless. I'm still achy and coughing. The doctor's appointment is this morning, shortly after I take the babe to school. I'll actually see the doctor and not the nurse practitioner, which I hope makes a difference.

I didn't eat much at all yesterday and I doubt I'll have much of an appetite today. We did go out for lunch and ate at Paradise Bakery (my friends are obsessed with that place. I personally think they charge to damn much for their sandwiches and soups but, whatever). I had their Paradise Pasta salad and their Turkey noodle soup. It was okay, but I think I would have preferred something a little more spicy. My other choices were tomato soup covered in sour cream or Turkey Broccoli. Neither sounded appealing to me.

We received a bit of rain last night which supposedly cleaned out the air. I'm glad. I hope it helps me with my healing process. Can I just say it again, I am so frustrated with being ill. I just want to feel like me. It seems that I'm asking for way to much.

It's frustrating as hell and there's really nothing I can do about it accept wait. I'm tempted to see what the number shows, once TOM disappears finally. I can feel the water trapped in my body...seriously. It's hanging around my hips, thighs, back and face. Then, as if all that weren't enough, I appear to be sick again...AGAIN! What is up with this winter? I haven't been this sick in years and it's been continuous. I think this is a cold, but who knows. Thank God I still have some of the decongestant prescribed when I had the sinus infection. I'll be taking that over the next few days for sure. The weather man said we had some of the dirtiest air quality in the country, yesterday. I'm sure that's not helping me and my kids get any better.

I still haven't rewarded myself for the last goal. There just hasn't been time. I really don't want to get my manicure/pedicure with the two kids in tow because 1, the baby shouldn't be around the smell of those chemicals and 2, the babe would be begging for one of her own. I may treat her to something like that later in the year, but not just yet. She still sucks her thumb and treats like nail polish and manicures should be saved for non-thumb suckers.

The good news out of all this is I'm looking better, so the muscle building must be happening. I'm supposed to go to lunch with a coworker today (we haven't decided where). I don't have much of an appetite and when I take that medicine, it may disappear completely. I should be able to order safely without fear of overdoing anything. I also have a lunch tomorrow for a coworker who is turning 31. I'm a little torn as to whether we should pay for his lunch or not. I usually start that ball rolling (taking the birthday person's check, then chipping in the first few dollars), but for my birthday lunch, I had to pay for my own. I was a little perturbed by this but, whatever. Perhaps that is what we're doing, now. I'll just follow everyone elses lead.

Sometimes, these are things you would rather not hear. Other times, it's exactly what you need to keep motivated. Personal comments in the form of a compliment. I love them!

A coworker of mine told me, "What are you doing? You're looking so great. You're getting into such good shape."

Oh, yeah! Exactly what I needed to hear. Even though I'm not quite to the halfway mark, it made me feel like my efforts were not in vain. I'll keep trucking along until more and more personal comments are shot my way and more of my clothes begin to fit again.

The weekend weather is supposed to be decent, so I may begin changing clothes out. I really need to. There are still maternity objects hanging next to shirts, dresses and pants that are very wintry and probably won't be worn again anytime soon. I'm sure I got them out last year when I thought I'd drop tons of weight, after the baby was born. It didn't happen. Hormones are a bitch, but thank God they don't stick around forever.

Last night, it was "Hooked on Aerobics" again, but this time, the babe didn't want to work out with me. She started to, then changed her mind. I guess that whole being sweaty thing was getting to her (poor kid, she just doesn't know what she's in for). :) I felt really good afterwards. I showered, got the girls their dinner, then I had mine. Lentil soup and bran cereal should have had me living in the bathroom, but I'm fine even now. I guess my body is adjusting to all the fiber I'm getting. I'm glad. No one likes to live in the potty.

Hubby said that I'm starting to sound differently when I sleep. My body is looking different, too. Woohoo! It's all about those personal comments.