When you shot for nothing, you hit it every time

Exercise to stimulate, not to annihilate. The world wasn’t formed in a day, and neither were we. Set small goals and build upon them. ~ Lee Haney

Of course in my mind, I have my big goal, for total weight loss. But, I know that I need to start with smaller goals. So these are my goals to complete by the end of the year:

• Walk/Jog 3.1 miles in 40 minutes or less!
• Lose 8+ pounds by my annual physical in mid Oct.
• Lose 15 pounds total by our birthday trip to NYC in November
• Lose 25 pounds total by the end of the year

I also have lifestyle goals that I know I need to reignite to make this a permanent way of life:

• Be in the gym at least 4 days a week
• Drink 100 ounces of water or green tea a day
• Weather permitting, walk at my lunch hour at least twice a week
• Prepare lunches on Sunday’s for the week and menu plan dinners
• Track all food that enters my mouth

I have to remember to celebrate the small victories and be proud of reaching each of these goals.

A dear friend told me, “You didn’t gain the weight overnight, so you won’t lose it over night.” I think this is one of the most frustrating parts of trying to lose weight, not only for me, but for everyone who is trying to lose weight. This is one of the reasons why so many people give up trying lose the weight. Accomplishing these small goals will help me to stay focused on the bigger picture.

Please feel free to ask me about these goals, especially the lifestyle goals.

Taking the first step, again

It’s about me. Of course it is; who else would it be about? It’s about me taking time for myself to get healthy. As a wife and mom of two who is also working full time it is easy to put other people and things before myself, but not any more. Of course my family and responsibilities will always have a prominent place in my life, but I need to take time for myself to get healthy so I can live actively with my family, instead of watching them from the sidelines.

I am restarting this journey 9 months after the birth of my daughter and having gained back almost all the weight I lost before I got pregnant with her.  I can’t believe I have let myself get back up to 310. I can beat myself up over it or I can do something about it. It is time to do something about it. I have been given the tools I need to travel on this journey, now I just need to take that first step.

According to Webster’s Dictionary the definition of vulnerable is: open to attack or damage. And the definition of responsible is being willing to answer for one’s conduct or actions. That is my desire for this blog, to be vulnerable and responsible for my actions. I am both excited and nervous to put myself out there, but know that the encouragement will help me along on this journey.