Pat me on the back!

So, as you may know, I decided to start a diet given the flurry of weddings this year and my chronic singleness. I started the southbeach diet on Tuesday the 16th. When I weighed myself on our bathroom scale on Thursday January 11th, I was 192.2. Bad, I know. Anyone wonder why I have a negative self image? Anyway, so I try to weigh myself on Thursdays, but since it is almost midnight on Wednesday I figure I'm close enough to Thursday that I can weigh in. And guess what? I'm at 181.4! That is 10.8 pounds! Guys, do you know how encouraging that is? I honestly have been getting discouraged lately because I'm bored with my options in the phase 1 of south beach and am missing my carbs. As of yesterday and today I was about ready to chuck the whole thing... then I weighed in! On the 30th I should be able to re-introduce some whole wheat and fruits in small amounts in phase 2. I can't tell you how excited I am for that. But really, I've lost 10 pounds! Granted, I don't look any different, but it is a start. The weightloss goes a little slower once the carbs start to get re-introduced, but I'm thinking I might alternate weeks and go carbless every other week until after Anna's wedding, just so that I continue to slim down.
I need to work on being active though. So far, I have not done much between my classes and trying to catch up on assignments, but I'm aiming to walk around the neighborhood every day after I get home from work. Also, I've decided to join the beginning swing dance class at memories, so that counts toward my activity level AND helping me overcome my dance floor phobia. I'm thinking I need a set of dumbbells or something to do some arm toning. Birthday anyone? I don't mind used ones! Anyway, if you think about it, pray for me to stay motivated and fight the urge to splurge. This is definitely a lifestyle change for me.