Seeking Motivation for the End of the World...er...Year...

Although I have been making some slight progress, I still feel like my motivation isn't totally here. And what better time to try to kick things up a notch than when there is temptation all around me? (Why oh why do I enjoy making things harder for myself?)

I am attempting to inspire myself by looking at old photos...old as in "from the last time I was doing this health kick before I let myself go AGAIN." Sigh...miss these days...

Okay, here's the plan...

In an effort to get myself more motivated, I have been looking up "30 Day" challenges on Pinterest. I will be honest - I wanted something that started off easy, because I didn't want to feel the urge to give up after a few days. I found one that is a plank challenge, and one that is a four-move, fully-body circuit. It will probably take a week in to really start feeling challenged, but that's okay. That gives me a week to get back into the habit of daily exercise.

I will also be focusing on water. Water, water, WATER!!!

Wish me luck. Looking forward to coming back to share my progress.

I Miss Blogging

I miss blogging.

I miss knowing what to write. I miss having this creative outlet. I miss being able to find the words to express what I am thinking.

Lately, I just feel like I am in a rut. A months-long rut.

It isn't good. And I don't know what to do to snap myself out of it.

Summer...Loving It!

I can't even being to describe how much I have been enjoying summer this year! The sun, the warmth, the food (oh yes, the food)...I can't believe how quickly it has gone. Yes, I realize that is a total cliche but seriously...it feels like summer just started!!!

I don't have a huge update on the weight front. Other than to say I have stopped gaining weight and am holding steady! I am not worrying too much about losing weight until September hits. I have started making small changes, and I am going to continue with that, but once September rolls around I may take up a new challenge or two. We will have to wait and see.

I have been totally slacking with exercise, and that is something I need to work on, like, yesterday.

Hopefully soon I will have more exciting updates to post!

Am I the Only One...

...who is SUPER excited that summer is coming?

More updates soon...

Spring!

Well, it took until halfway through April, but I feel like it may finally be time to say that SPRING has SPRUNG!!!

The first part of the month felt more like winter here. Which was unexpected, seeing as our winter was very mild. Still, despite being spoiled with that warmer-than-usual winter, I found myself growing more and more impatient for warmer weather!

I am still having some physical problems that are making exercise difficult, but I have found that walking is perfectly fine. Today I am going to try to add in a little bit of jogging, but I don't want to overdo it.

It is sunny and warm outside, and I can't wait!

Three Weeks In

Well, I have officially stuck at my new healthy eating plan for a full three weeks - which, let's be honest, is longer than I have stuck to anything in awhile! And I have seen pretty good results because of it. I have lost over 6lbs in that time, so I am obviously happy about that. Considering that sickness left me, once again, having to take it easy and limit exercise, I think those are great results. Even if I had been exercising more, I still think that's a great loss!

I haven't really noticed much change in how my clothes fit yet. At 5'9, it usually takes about 10lbs or more before I notice much of a difference. However, I do think my tummy looks smaller - my family members have even commented on that, so that feels good. I know that carrying weight in the tummy causes some health risks, and it's never been a problem area for me until recently. So seeing it shrink makes me feel a lot more confident. Plus, visibly being able to see a difference in my body is definitely motivating.

I even have a "motivation buddy". She is a long-time blog friend of mine. We message each other back and forth when we have a good workout or make some good choices, and yes, even when we goof up. But I find that also holds me more accountable. I definitely recommend getting a buddy!

The weather is starting to warm up, slowly but surely. I can't wait until I can run outside more consistently. In fact, I am craving spring runs...

How true is this?

This is incredibly accurate for me right now.

I was going through some of my older blog posts earlier today. I am shocked at the number of times I nervously posted a "before" picture, thinking I looked like a cow, when in reality...I didn't look too darned bad! I think that is one challenge of losing weight and working out - you are so used to feeling uncomfortable in your own skin that you look in the mirror and see something totally different than reality. I mean, I thought I was fat at 173, and now I look at those pictures and think I looked great! It is something I will have to keep in mind this time around. Definitely makes me rethink some of the goals I've had in mind.

Speaking of working out...the weather took an usual turn for the better this past weekend and I was actually able to get a run in outside. It was glorious. I mean, I'm slow, and I have to rotate between running and walking. I did 2 miles and it took me 31 minutes, so I still have a long way to go to get back to where I was. Slowly but surely, though...

This and That

First of all, before I forget, let me show you a picture from my son's recent 4th birthday party...


Isn't it cute? We were trying to combine a few different Disney themes and I think it turned out well. I didn't do a big party for him this year since he isn't in school yet and doesn't really have many friends...but since I always share stuff from my daughter's parties, I figure I had to show you SOMETHING from his!

Second of all, here is a recent picture of me:

Yes, I am still struggling with my weight. But, I have to say, my confidence is much better. I am trying to use that to my advantage. Sure, I have a lot of weight to lose...but instead of focusing on that, I can focus on the fact that I lost 2.5lbs this week, worked out twice, and got complimented on my hair. When I feel a bit better, I tend to make better choices, so I am really making an effort to remind myself of that.

I also think that I need to get back to blogging. Even if it's just once a week, I think it will help to hold me accountable. And boy oh boy do I need that. So, I hope some of you are still reading. Because I need you to keep my motivation going!