"I Cain't Git No Validation..."

With apologies to Mick Jagger and any grammarians who read this. I am down 20 lbs. from 1 January's 255 lbs. to 235 lbs. today (tomorrow is "official" weigh in, so no snacks tonight), but nobody comments. Even people who haven't seen me in weeks don't notice. "Um, oh! You shaved off your goatee!" is the most common reply. Oh well. They didn't comment when my weight ballooned up, either, so its not such a big deal. I am doing it for me, anyway, and I can tell a BIG difference.

Dan and I went to Bangkok 54 Thai Restaurant with friends. It was very nice. What a difference from the loud crowd and tight quarters of Belga Cafe. We went early -5 pm. - because it was the only time that fit into all our schedules. Still made us feel like elderly folks hitting the Luby's Cafeteria. Nice atmosphere, friendly staff, great service, great prices, and the food was delicious. One person had pad see ew, another had a rice dish. I had an appetizer of cellophane noodle salad, and was full with that and a dumpling or two. Very nice evening. We highly recommend Bangkok 54 on Columbia Pike in Arlington, VA.

Workout tonight was disappointing, but got the job done. I wanted to run another 10K, or more, but it wasn't meant to be. I stretched thoroughly, walked 30 minutes to warm up, and began jogging. Even at the 15 minute mark, I could tell my muscles were rebelling. I barely got 5K complete, and decided to stop. Very frustrating, but my legs were definitely saying I had pushed them too far, too fast this week. I walked 30 minutes to cool down, stretched, and called it a night, as far as workout. I still have homework. Maybe too many things on my mind to relax completely right now. Still, weight is good, weigh in is tomorrow morning, and I seem to have navigated the three caloric pitfalls this weekend without too much damage. We'll see tomorrow.

I'll give my legs a day off, maybe two, and work on upper body, maybe take a day off completely. It'd be smart to take the long, strategic view, and not damage myself this early in the year, as is my habit in the past. Slow and steady....