My new journey begins today.  And what is the best way to be successful on any new endeavor? By making a plan of course!

I have two specific goals in mind. One, I want to be physically HEALTHY.  Notice I don't say skinny or a specific size.  If some serious weight loss comes along with that I'll be more than happy, but I'm more interested in how my body feels.   Secondly, I want to be mentally healthy.  I believe that my diet goes hand in hand with this as well. You feed your body shit, you feel like shit.  Go ahead, tell me I'm wrong.......you can't. 

With that being said my goal today is to come up with a plan.  I will be making a meal plan, Re downloading the MyFitnessPal app to keep track of my food intake, and working on a grocery list.  In the past when I have done these things I've been very successful.

What tips and tricks have you used to get and keep yourself on track?

​Earlier this year I took part in a RunDisney event, the Princess Half Marathon.

I’ve had the privilege of running a Disney event in the past but last time I did a half I felt like I was dying.  Not REALLY dying but the “What the hell you were thinking?!?!” kind of dying. It was hard.  It was exhausting.  And there was no way in hell I was going to get swept off that course.

For those of you that have never run a Disney event, being swept means that you were not maintaining a decent pace and you had to be removed from the course.  They aren’t trying to pick on you, unfortunately life goes on after the races are run….parks open, highways need to be open, you get the idea.  So being swept can and will happen.

I did NOT get swept in any of the races I participated in but the previous half marathon got awfully close.  My hip was in so much pain that every time I passed a medical tent I would squirt a HUGE amount of Bio Freeze and slap it on my hip just to keep going.  Alas, I finished, but I vowed to never finish like that again.

Fast forward two years and the chit chat of running another half was brought up with my girlfriends.  We will do anything for a girl’s weekend.  In the back of my head was that little voice saying I couldn’t do it.  I was a little heavier this time and it was SO difficult last time.

What did I do? I told the voice to shut up!

There was a lot of training this time.  I trained last time, but it wasn’t as consistent, and I did more long distance runs this time.  I felt like if I took the time to prepare myself it would all go much better. The end result was a totally successful half marathon!  I couldn’t believe it and I was so proud of myself.

For those of you that are contemplating taking the leap, DO IT!  Seriously, there is absolutely no race in the world like a RunDisney race.  From a dance party at 4am, to character stops along the way, to a church choir singing your praises the last tenth of a mile….you won’t be disappointed! 

Checkout the races at www.rundisney.com

I’ve seen the number 193.6 for a few days in a row.  My patience is totally wearing thin.  Losing weight is the most torturous activity in the world (first world problems) without the added obstacle of the scale GOING NOWHERE! Grr.

So, instead of throwing in the towel again, I’ve downloaded the My Fitness Pal app on my cell.  I’m going to start keeping a journal of all my food.  Just to be sure I’m not unknowingly cheating.  Maybe I’m not drinking enough water….maybe my meals are a little too big.  Either way, I will find out and correct the problem.
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How has your week been going?  Keeping up with your plan?  You can do this!!

People say starting is half the battle but I think that statement is such bullshit.

I have started about 200 diets in my life.  The starting was never difficult….the following through part was the issue.  I was successful once, back in 2009 I weighed in at 135lbs. I felt fantastic, looked fantastic and didn’t have a worry in the world. 

​So what happened, you ask?  Life happened.

I’m an emotional eater and I use food for comfort.  I’m slowly working and changing my way of thinking.  Not using food as a reward and not using it to cope when the road gets rough.  No, I’m not perfect….and I’m not going to every be perfect but I’m going to give it my best shot!

It amazes me the difference eating cleaning makes in my life.  This isn’t a new revelation, as I previously mentioned I was 135lbs at one point in my life.  I know that eating healthy makes me feel better but still chose to go back to my old ways.

I’m guessing it’s a comfort issue.  I’m not a huge sweets person but I love me some savory delights.  I don’t want to think or talk about it too much but I thick ya’ll get my point.
I’m on day 4 of my version of a Keto diet.  I say “my version” because I don’t want to go hardcore because I know (for me) too much restriction will equal failure.  I’m eating things that make me happy, are healthy and the correct portion size. 

Today’s menu is….
Breakfast – Scrambled eggs with mushrooms
Lunch – Ceasar salad
Dinner – Sea Scallops with Broccoli

BTW – Again I know it’s just water weight but the scale read 196.8lbs this AM.
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What is your plan for today? What healthy choices are you making?

I woke up this morning with the realization that I have been taking horrible care of my body.

When I stepped on the scale this morning it said 197.2bs.     197.2…….

While a lot of people would be like, wow that’s awesome you “lost” so much weight….I’m looking at that number and thinking….”How much shit have you been putting in your body if you are now eating clean and dropping that quickly?”

It’s so embarrassing to think of what I’ve been eating and fueling my body with and if you think I’m starving myself you are oh so very incorrect.  I ate ALL my food yesterday and we had grilled chicken breasts with mushrooms and broccoli for dinner last night.  It was DELICIOUS. 
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My menu for today is…
Breakfast – Scrambled eggs with ham
Lunch – Cobb salad
Dinner – I think we will be having steak tonight….

What’s on your menu for today?  

One day of success….gotta start somewhere….right?

I’m an every morning weigh-in kinda gal.  I think it helps to hold myself accountable.  Otherwise I avoid the scale like the plague.   I stepped on the scale this morning and it read 198.4lbs.

Now don’t get me wrong, I know it’s just water weight but I will take it.  Something about being on Onederland that instantly gives me a confidence boost.  What did I do right yesterday, you ask?
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Breakfast – Eggs scrambled with ham from Easter
Lunch – Cobb Salad – no dressing
Dinner – Salmon with zoodles
LOTS of water

​Were you successful yesterday too?  What did you do to set yourself up for success today?

I woke up this morning and stepped on the scale, 201 lbs.  

Did you know that at one point in time I weighed 135 lbs AFTER I had kids? 
I'm sitting before you today saying enough is enough.  My weight gain has made me miserable for years. I've let food control me instead of using food as it's meant to be used, just fuel for my body.  

The adverse effects that food has had on me is ridiculous.  I constantly feel like shit.  My body has aches and pains.  I hate the way I look in clothing.  My marriage suffers because I don't feel attractive. Hell, even my job suffers because I don't want to draw too much attention to myself.

So I'm declaring, right now, that the nonsense will stop today.
I will eat healthy and hold myself accountable.  I want a better life and the only way that will happen is if I make better choices.