Small progress is still progress

and I won not one but two of my fitbit challenges so that was a nice little boost in my confidence! Went to the Dr. on Friday.  He's happy with my minimal weight loss.  Says that's the best way.  Small steps lead to long distances or something like that.

Oh and today I ran!  Only for 5 minutes, and it sucked and it wasn't very fast.  But I ran.  So my goal this week is to run that 5 minutes every day.  And next week, maybe I'll see if I can go for 7.  Or even 10!

My energy and overall mental health have been so much better lately.  Which is wonderful because I was feeling terribly alone.  No love interest, the ex has been distancing himself (inevitable, I know) and those things called friends are few and far between.  I was feeling a little down on myself.  But having something to focus on has been so great for me.

So here's my weekly photo update.  Not much change, other than the mirror is clean ;)  But apparently a few other people notice.  My pants are a little looser.  I like how my legs look again.  Yeah....I'm stepping in all the right directions!

Here we go again!

This blog is starting to look like my diaries.  I start them with great intentions, and they get forgotten. Fragmented pieces of my life.  Tiny holes in the walls I've built to peak in.

Around mid June or so, I decided I couldn't keep doing nothing about my physical health (again).  I was at the heaviest I ever was (194lbs) weighing in as much as I did when I was pregnant. Completely unacceptable!  The guy I was head over heels about dumped me and I was feeling lousy. So I started walking in my beautiful country neighborhood.  Only to discover I had EXCRUCIATING pain in my calves if I walked too fast.

Fast forward a few weeks and I've joined Planet Fitness again, I'm consistently hitting at least 10K steps a day (I hit 20k yesterday!) and I've started a Biggest Loser challenge at work.  I'm currently in 3rd.  I've also lost very little weight (currently coasting at 187).  But I feel better.  And I feel like my clothes are just a tiny bit more comfortable.  My goals are to lose all I want to lose by August 1, 2017.  That gives me one year to lose 45 lbs.  A very reasonable and achievable goal.  I pray I don't get lazy again.  I pray that if I meet someone, that I don't stray from better myself by being lost in a new relationship.  I pray I get my glorious booty back! hahaha!

So here is a couple photos of me from yesterday (excuse the poor lighting and dirty mirror).  I am hoping the visual reminders will help me stay on track and help me see the progress maybe I don't feel.

  

Bucket List Goal #1

There are so many things I would like to do, places I'd love to see. And while most bucket lists are big and grand, and trust me, I have the big and grand, I also have bucket items I feel are obtainable. One I am currently working toward: getting my BA. I'm about to start my 2nd term. Luckily, nearly all my courses taken after high school transferred and I am able to dive head first into classes towards my degree. Being a wife, a mom, working a full time job and a student is trying. Stressful. And I think a little crazy. But I will never be able to live the life I dream without expanding my education. And horizons.

I really do!!!

Have all the intentions to keep this blog going! Just with work, the kids, Richard & of course now my exercising, I am having a hard time finding just that; time! The determination is still there, though I have little results to show at the moment. I've lost about 7 lbs, give or take, because my weight seems to fluctuate from day to day. Not that I care so much about "weight" as I do if my clothes fit better, or even more hopeful, get too big! But I guess its all just a work in progress and I can't expect anything more than small steps if I'm doing it healthy and making sure I'm taking care of my health while I try to fit into those size 8's!

I've done fairly well with if I am not able to make it to the gym I will go swimming with the kids, for a run or like last night a walk with Richard. I really enjoyed that little bit of time. Baby steps all the way around, I guess. I'm learning to slow things down in life in general and enjoying the crawl rather than trying to run a marathon, lol. Life right now is doing me well. I don't have everything I need or want, but I am very happy with what I do have and have come to realize that the only family I really and truly need is the family that resides within my home. They make my life the wonderful journey it is.

So sleepy.....

I'm on Day 10? I think of my routine of working out. Day 6 since I joined the gym. I did not go Fri or Sat, but I did go swimming with the kids, so I consider that a workout! And I've gone everyday since Sunday. I like the gym alot & am trying to change things up so I don't get bored. I get there around 6, so I get to watch the news while I'm working out, which I think helps me not pay attention to how long I am going. My energy level is a little down, but once I get going, I'm good. I'm sure its just a matter of time till I'm feeling better physically.

Monday we will be driving up to the mountains to get Nichole from Girl Scout Camp. I'm anxious to enjoy it with the family. Even if its just for the day, we've never really gone up to the mountains to just enjoy it. I am a deprived individual who has never really been camping. Sad, I know.

I joined a Gym!

I have never gone to a traditional gym before, so it is a little intimidating. But I am excited to have the time not only to myself, but to better myself. I can't wait to see results, though I am sure I will be like most and want them instantly, ha ha!

I guess I'll have to start being even more narcissistic than I already am and take some before, during & after pictures, lol. I'm sure that will keep me motivated once I do start seeing change.

Hooray for new beginnings, hard work, and results to come!

Day 3 -- Wednesday

I didn't get my lunch jog in yesterday. Instead I opted to have lunch with my husband. Poor thing had a long, hard day at work. I probably won't get my jog in today either because I believe I may be having lunch with my friend from high school. I did get my bike ride in though. I went 2.48 miles in 15.44 minutes and burned about 200 calories. So at least I wasn't a total blob and didn't do anything, lol.

Today after work I am going to go to the gym, talk to them and most likely get signed up & do my first workout there. I think I finally found determination. Yay! I can't wait to have my body back the way I want it to be :o)