Exercise is a substitute for medication

At least for me it is.
For the past week, I've been obsessing over getting a large dog. Why? Because I grew up with a large dog, and there are just things that a large dog can do that a small dog cannot. My little shih-tzu can't be expected to keep up with me jogging. He gives up after a mile of walking, which is quite a bit for his little legs. I carry him the rest of the way if it's during a longer walk, which does wonders for my arms. 10 lbs isn't a lot, but it gets heavy after a mile or two. My little guy is a lap dog, through and through. He wants nothing more than a few table scraps, and to curl up with me and Dylan on the couch, watching TV, or sit in my lap while I'm on the computer. I know the reasons why I can't have a large dog. I understand the logic: we live in a 2 bedroom place with no yard, and hopefully I'll be starting to work soon, so that would leave me with less time to train a puppy and bring him out for all the exercise that he'll need. That didn't stop my mind from obsessing, from binging on a sandwich bag full of cookies, from not being able to sleep at all for the past few nights.
Last night, I obtained Jillian Michaels' 30 day Shred. Now, that video was pretty difficult for Level 1. I had to pause it at least 3 times and go get a bottle of water because I was parched. I feel less crazy and my mind has silenced about the dog for now. That little bit made me want to do more, so I decided to give an old workout plan a try again.
Dylan is going to try to do Couch-to-5k with me tonight. I go back and forth with the program, because it's an ass kicker and I have a hard time timing the intervals. I found out that GymBoss has a free interval app for the iPhone, so now I feel confident that I can keep the accurate time (and that excuse is gone). Hopefully with Dylan there, I'll stick with it. I get bored when I go by myself. No one to talk to; No one to push me. I shouldn't depend on other people to do the right thing, but I don't feel right leaving him behind in the house. Maybe if I threaten to do that he'll start coming with me AND I can get a workout in. Maybe.
And it's been about a month since my last picture. I did a couple of pictures, but this is the one I want to show you. It's only been 8 lbs difference, but it's been a great 8 lbs. I can tell a slight difference in my appearance, and my clothes fitting better, but the greatest is how I feel. I have much more endurance than I used to have, and I feel better because I know that I'm doing the majority of my stuff right.I left my magnetic lasso alone for one side of the photo so you can see I didn't shop it to make me look thinner. I just wanted the contrast of the white against my stomach so I could maybe see the difference.