This morning I REALLY didn't feel weel. Last night I made chicken (with fried chicken coating, but baked), a baked potato (with salsa and some sour cream as the topping), and grilled a fresh ear of corn on the special "grill" pan we have. I was careful to try to be healthy in preparation, but I ate too much. I had 8 little drummettes (the drumstick like part that you can cut off the chicken wing) and 1/2 of a boneless breast. It wasn't a grotesque amount of food (I've certainly been MUCH worse) but it was too much.

I woke up with a really sore tum. I also did not want to work out, not even a little bit. But my husband was awesome and went to the gym, and I sat on the couch fighting that internal battle.

I chose to do one of my Biggest Loser workout DVD's, and, as always, it kicked my ass. I'm getting better about pushing myself without forgetting to pay attention to my body's boundaries. It's simply not good to push myself to the point where my heart beat feels way too fast and I'm starting to feel sick and weak. But I did push myself to do more when I felt like quitting, and I always kept myself moving. My husband actually told me last night that I work out like an athlete-- I really work out with intensity and I don't just sort of go through the motions. He said that it always impresses him to see me do that, because you just don't expect to see that from someone of my size.

The coolest part of everything is that when we went out today (first, to the caucuses- we're big Huckabee people-- and then to Trader Joe's, aka the greatest store on earth) I realized that I can feel my body changing. I'm feeling stronger. My muscles are thanking me for making them more powerful, and when I move they just feel good. It's not really something I can put words to. But I'm starting to feel like a really amazing body is taking shape under all of that fat, and I'm not going to give up on it.

Also, the good news is that dinner tonight is a portion-controlled grilled salmon steak and grilled zucchini- yummy!