Baked Ziti Casserole and exercise plans...

It was new recipe time tonight...I was in a productive mood since I had gotten so much done earlier today that I decided to take on a new challenge. This one wasn't too bad...it's basically a fancy-name lasagna casserole, but it wasn't nearly as good as Grandma B's lasagna!! But, although it will never stack up to hers, we have decided to keep the recipe and tweak it a little the next time I do it. And this time I forgot to take a picture, it came out of the oven just as Greg walked in the door (I'm getting REALLY good at that) and we ate so fast that by the time I remembered it was half gone. It was just meat and spaghetti sauce with twirly rotini noodles and cheeses all layered in a dish.

No dessert...I was about at my limit by the time dinner was over. I did a lot today...I worked my 8 hours, went for a jog with the new double stroller (the kids loved it, even though it was HOT!!!), I cleaned our shower (that was a whole other workout in itself), got myself cleaned off and then made dinner. I was pretty proud of how much I got done!!

So, overall today was pretty good and tonight's recipe wasn't a total bomb....I think I did okay!! Now if I can just keep up the working out. I think I am going to make a goal/reward system for myself. It felt so good to get out and exercise even though it was like 100 degrees and the sun was literally right on top of me! I need to so something to get myself motivated. I want to start getting in shape so that hopefully I can do the short mud run next year with Greg's sisters. I know it's a long shot, but it's worth trying. I figure even if my knee decides to limit the running I can at least get into good enough shape to power walk the whole way!!
So, back to the goal/reward ideas...I had a few ideas and I'd love to hear what you all think...a few possible ideas are:

- For every set number of days I exercise (possibly every 10 days) I earn a movie ticket, basically I would be earning chances to go and see New Moon in the theater. If I exercise at least 5 out of 7 days a week that would get me at least 6-7 movie tickets (I've given up the fight insisting that I'll only see it twice...if I get the chance, I'll go as many times as I want!).
- For every set number of days I exercise, I earn a set dollar amount towards a "fun item" that I might want (a new outfit, a new toy...)
- For every 2 pounds I lose I get a reward (movie ticket, money...).
- Or possibly a combination of the two...for every 10 days I exercise I get one thing, and for every set number of pounds I lose I get something else...

I just need motivation. One big motivating factor that is driving me at this point is that my 10-year reunion is in about a year, and even though I'm still WAY below my High School weight, I want to look my best and be able to show up and just feel totally confident about how I look. I also would like to avoid buying any new post-pregnancy clothes now in the hopes that I can lose some weight and THEN go buy some cute clothes.
So, any ideas from anyone as far as motivation goes would be awesome, along with any weight loss tips (I'd love to have a few things I could do inside, in the air conditioned house, but without a treadmill I can't really think of much.)
Alrighty, have a great night!!