Full May Progress

Hello all! Sorry I have been MIA. I have been lacking creativity on what to post here and life has been insane with mine and David's training schedules so I haven't had time to create content. I am hoping to post more this month, but it is going to be extra busy so we will see how it goes.
This month was good as far as running and weight loss goes. I looked up the first time I was officially weighed after I got home from college. It was about 2 months before David and I got married and I was at 156. This most likely means I am at the lowest weight of my married life! Now weight isn't everything and I am definitely in better physical shape now, but I am glad to be seeing results. I feel so much healthier overall and am constantly amazed by how much better my body functions when I fuel it correctly and exercise!
Here are my measurements for this month:

Right Arm: 13
Left Arm: 13
Right Leg: 24 (.5 inch lost)
Left Leg: 24 (1 inch lost)
Right Calf: 15
Left Calf: 15.5
Natural waist: 29 (1inch lost)
Waist at belly button: 31.5 (2 inches lost)
Hips: 41 (1 inch lost)
Bust: 37 (1.5 inches lost)

This month I can definitely see how I continue to lose weight in the areas that my body holds onto fat,  mainly my midsection and hips. I'm also trying to focus on toning my arms since they are an area I find I always have trouble with.

Left: Jan 4//Right: June 2

Left: April 29//Right: June 2

Starting weight: 197.6//Current weight: 157.2//Loss since Jan. 4: 40.4 pounds//Overall: 82.8 pounds

Old Navy Activewear Haul

Oh Old Navy. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

As the weather here has started to really heat up, I was looking for some running shorts that wouldn't leave me super exposed, but would also keep me cool on my runs. I found some amazing deals on Old Navy and could not be happier with what I received.
When I purchased these, Old Navy had 40% off for GapCard members, as well as items on clearance. I also had $15 worth of rewards and ended up getting all of this for under $40! I was super psyched to be able to get such a good deal.
All of the compression shorts I got were 8-10 inches long, which is absolutely perfect for what I need! Since I'm still *ahem* curvy I need the extra length to stop from chafing and absorb all the lovely sweat.
All of the shorts have some sort of small pocket to hold a key or energy gel. The bermudas have a zipper pocket on the back that is slightly larger that may fit Chapstick or some cash, but I run with a belt to hold my phone so space isn't usually an issue to hold what I need. It is nice to have the option though.

Racerback//Perforated Running Shorts//Go-Dry Cool Compression Shorts-Blue Palm//Go-Dry Cool Compression Shorts-Embossed Black//Go-Dry Compression Bermudas

This post is not sponsored by Old Navy, I just really like their active wear.

Aldi Haul #1

Oh Aldi. I've recently re-discovered how much I love shopping here. And my wallet agrees. I'm here to bust the myth that eating healthfully has to be expensive. Now, I don't do all of my shopping at Aldi, since there are a few treats and certain things I enjoy that Aldi doesn't offer. I have found that I can get most everything that we eat there. I am picky about how certain things taste and a few items, the Greek yogurt mainly, that I purchased this time were to try out. I do prefer certain brands because they may have less sugar or fat, but I'm willing to try it once before I completely rule it out. 

The food above will last about 2 weeks. I will most likely do a smaller trip to pick up eggs and milk, but for the most part, this is it. 

I plan to do some posts about easy dinners that are actually things that we eat. I tend to post my breakfasts and lunches to Instagram pretty regularly, but if people are interested in those as well, I will post them. 

I'm including a spreadsheet of the prices I paid at my local Aldi, these may vary based on where you live. All of the food pictured above cost me $102. That's crazy! I love how far my dollar goes at Aldi. 

Here's the pricing list: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1XJ5p1UQPMIal6woPM4CnB61-mrFsP7S-9xM97EoAVmM/edit?usp=sharing

Full March Progress

Sorry I've been a bit MIA with the updates, this month hasn't been extremely impressive as far as changes in my weight. I'm okay with that, as I've been focused on improving in other ways. I finally saw a drop in weight as the week progressed. I find that I tend to lose more weight later in the week, I'm not entirely sure why. Now that I'm incorporating running into my exercise routine 5 times a week, I find I'm more focused on cross training as well. I do more to strengthen my muscles overall, but I still enjoy the workout I get on my recumbent bike.
I can feel how my body is changing as well. My calves and quads are much more pronounced and strong. My arms have some definition now as well. I can also feel my core strengthening and can feel muscles when I flex.
Here are my measurements for the month:

Right Arm: 14 (1 inch lost)
Left Arm: 14 (1 inch lost)
Right Leg: 24.5 (1.5 inches lost)
Left Leg: 25 (1 inch lost)
Right Calf: 15.5
Left Calf: 15.5
Natural waist: 31.5 (1 inch lost)
Waist at belly button: 35 (1 inch lost)
Hips: 43 (1 inch lost)
Bust: 38.5 (1.5 inches lost)

Left: Feb 28//Right: April 1

Left: Jan 4//Right: April 1

Starting weight: 197.6//Current weight: 170.6//Loss since Jan. 4: 27 pounds//Overall: 69.4 pounds

My New Big Goal

Ever since starting this journey to better health, I've started by setting a big goal which I could then break down into smaller goals which I knew I could attain. This model works for me and as I've been having success in my fitness goals, I decided I wanted to set a larger goal than just a goal weight.
My husband and I have talked in the past about running a Ragnar Relay together and had bounced around the idea of doing one in Washington D.C. this September. As time wore on, I wasn't 100% sold. The timeline wouldn't work for his schedule at work and I was worried about the cost of renting vans, driving there, staying in a hotel, etc. We didn't register and it went to the back burner.
I got onto the site the other day to see if the Florida Keys Ragnar had opened up(it was already full) and noticed they had a bunch of new sites listed for Trail Relays. Naturally, I was intrigued and noticed one in South Carolina. One that was 30 minutes from my house. The trail relays are set up a little bit differently, so off time and such are spent camped out in The Village. You run in 8 person teams and everyone runs their legs to total 16.1 miles. This instantly felt like the right fit. I looked and saw that it was in October and that made it all the more appealing. I knew that I would have the time to train for this and be able to break this big goal down.
Now, I plan to run in with my mom and step dad, but David won't be able to take the time needed off work, so we're still in need of 5 more runners to join our team. If you are interested, please let me know! You can find more information here on the actual relay.
Have a happy Wednesday and thanks for keeping up with my journey!

A Major Milestone

This week has been a little bit weird psychologically. I'm at the point in my journey where this time last year I was the same weight and it is where I plateaued. I wasn't trying very hard to continue losing weight, but I was logging my foods in MyFitnessPal and exercising. I was happy with the fact that I was over 10 pounds below my pre-pregnancy weight by the time Everett was 6 months old. I was fine just where I was and figured I would continue to lose weight. I quickly learned that my body doesn't work that way, which I should have known.
I quickly gained back the weight and here I am today back on the same journey as a year ago. This time around is different in many ways, which I'm sure you know if you follow this blog at all.
I have a much larger goal in mind and a ways to go before I reach it. This isn't a stopping point, this is just one battle won in a larger war. I'm proud that I've pushed past the lowest weight I had been in over a year. I'm now at the lowest weight I have been in over two years. The most comforting thing is that I haven't made some huge change to continue losing weight. I have just been sticking to my routine, eating good foods and exercising regularly. For me, this is a great motivation. There's no huge secret. Find what works for you and stick to it!
It isn't just seeing that number on the scale, because that number only tells you so much, it is the fact that my clothes fit better. That I'm able to wear things I haven't in ages because they are finally comfortable. It is wanting to take pictures with my son and husband because I don't feel so self-conscious of how fat my face looks.
It's feeling strong and healthy and craving good foods and not being hungry because I'm fueling my body and feeling happy!
I hope to continue this trend and continue to pass milestones that allow me to feel motivated and happy with the progress I'm making. Thank you to everyone who continues to cheer me on and comment on how well I'm doing. This blog has been a great way to hold myself accountable and I love being able to candidly share my journey with all of you.
Have a great weekend!

Motivation and March Update 1

This week has been a difficult one as far as staying motivated. The main reason being that our A/C wasn't working until this morning. The other being that I felt stuck in my routine. I knew I needed to do something to switch things up so that I would stay on track.
One big help is my wonderful husband who keeps me going and another has been just doing it. Sometimes I slog through the first few minutes of my workout, but I always feel better after I do. Since I've kept to my routine, it has been easier to continue on. I watch an interesting show, put on some new upbeat music, find some new moves to work into my bodyweight routine, basically anything to mix it up. Everett and I have been going outside to the park or walking trails almost everyday now that the weather has warmed up and I love it. He is a big fan of the outdoors as well, which makes it fun for the both of us.

So the past few weeks I went from 177.6 to 173.8, almost 4 pounds down. I'm now at the lowest weight since I had Everett and I was around this weight a year ago almost exactly. I still have about 39 pounds to lose, but I am feeling so much stronger and better overall than I have in a while. I'm proud of what I've accomplished and it makes me motivated to continue to make changes and try new things constantly.

I hope you all have a fabulous Monday! Get out there and move!

Product spotlight: Ginny Bakes

The more that I've committed myself to health and fitness, the more I've discovered the variety of foods available. Instagram has made me more aware to these companies and foods than ever before and I am excited to be able to try as many as possible. 

Because these products are not always available where I normally shop, I have made a few trips to Whole Foods and have purchased some online when I find a good deal to give them a try. 

I am in no way saying that you have to spend more money to eat healthfully, but I am interested in trying a variety of brands and products as a way to keep healthy eating varied and exciting. 

One such company is Ginny Bakes. I did order these products online because, as a new member to their email list, I received $5 off my order of $25 or more. I did the math and it ended up being the most economical choice and was the best price per package versus regular store retail. 
They are stocked in my local Earth Fare, but when I called to check and see if they were available, as the Ginny Bakes website suggests, they were not in stock. 

Within my order, I did not purchase every single type of product they offer since I was most interested in their cookies. Ginny Bakes cookies are organic, gluten-free, non-GMO certified, vegan, kosher, hand-made, and absolutely delicious. Ginny Bakes is also a family company that partners with suppliers that are committed to being good stewards over the planet.  Another aspect that appealed to me is that the regular cookies are only 50 calories per cookie, so I feel like I can indulge without undoing my day. 

While I do not employ a gluten-free diet, my mother does due to a gluten intolerance. This makes me extra happy when I can find a product I love that she can enjoy as well. 

Onto the actual products. I purchased the Blissed Out Bundle which includes chocolate chip love, chocolate chip oatmeal bliss, double chocolate happiness and chocolate macadamia love. I also purchased one box of GB minis in Butter Crisp Love. Each packet is 120 calories of mini goodness. 

These cookies are CRUNCHY! I am all for a soft cookie, but I love a good, crunchy cookie as well. The flavor is rich and the individual flavors shine through. The classic chocolate chip cookie isn't packed with chips, but not lacking in chocolate by any means. I am a person who likes to enjoy the actual taste of the cookie, paired with the chocolate chips throughout. The macadamia chocolate chip cookies are perfectly nutty and equally delicious. I enjoyed the butter crisp minis paired with some almond butter, which took them to the next level. The oatmeal chocolate chip cookies make me feel like I'm getting an indulgent dessert, but the oats make it feel extra healthy. The double chocolate happiness is just that. Perfect cocoa taste with chocolate chips mixed in. 
Everett tries to steal bites and David absolutely loves these cookies as well, so I know I'm not biased.

I absolutely loved every single flavor I tried and am excited to be able to try more flavors as well as the other products they offer like their baking mixes, bars, crumbles and the list goes on. 
Like I mentioned above, if you sign-up for their email list, you will be able to get a discount on your order and if you purchase a bundle, you receive free shipping! 

*This post is in no way sponsored by Ginny Bakes. I just love their products and wanted to share the happiness with all of you!*

Non-scale victories pt. 1

Happy Friday!

I think a large part of any fitness journey is taking time to appreciate the little victories that don't include the number on the scale. This is vital especially because the number on the scale is just a number. It doesn't tell you what you are worth.

1. Being able to wear my wedding rings again!
2. Officially retiring my size 14 jeans
3. Wearing a medium shirt and having it fit well rather than feel tight.
4. Choosing to park further away because I know I won't get winded from the walk.
5. Upping the resistance on my recumbent bike because the lower setting was too easy.

I'm hoping to keep this series going over the course of my journey. I am amazed by how great I feel and how the choices I'm making are having serious impact.

Thank you all for following along with me and have a great weekend!

Full February Progress

I cannot believe that another month has come and gone. Time is flying by in so many ways and I can hardly keep up.
I'm still going strong with all of my goals and have found that consistency is key more than anything else. This month I lost 8.6 pounds, keeping me ahead of my targeted weight loss. I am still so shocked by how great I feel and how much easier it is to go about my day. I am still working to kick the caffeine habit, but I haven't had any soda in two months.
This month I've decided to add the goal to be up by 6:30 am each week day so I can get ready for my morning before Everett gets up. I feel like this will help me get a jump start on things.
I am so excited to be sharing my journey with all of you and can't wait for what comes this next month!

Right Arm:15
Left Arm: 15
Right Leg: 26 (.5 inch lost)
Left Leg: 26 (.5 inch lost)
Right Calf: 15.5 (.5 inch gained)
Left Calf: 15.5 (.5 inch gained)
Natural waist: 32.5 (1 inch lost)
Waist at belly button: 36 (3 inches lost)
Hips: 44 (1 inch lost)
Bust: 40

I didn't see quite the same results in loss as last month, but I feel like I am losing more weight in the areas that I tend to hold onto it, mainly my midsection. My progression photos have helped me to see how my body is changing so I take that into account as well.

Left: Jan 4//Right: Mar 1

Left: Feb 2//Right: Mar 1

Starting weight: 197.6//Current weight: 177.6//Loss since Jan. 4: 20 pounds//Overall: 62.4 pounds

Get Up and Dance Playlist

Here is a sweet playlist for your Friday! This is the best way to lift your mood and burn some calories. I use this playlist when Everett starts to get cranky in the afternoon or when I just need a pick me up.
Add in some pushups or jumping jacks if you want, but it's just as good to jump around for 30 minutes.
Enjoy and have a great weekend!

February Progress Week 3

This week was good. I feel like I'm finally in a really good routine. Everett is transitioning to one nap a day, so I did have to adjust to that, but overall I feel like I'm getting into the groove of things.
I ran my first mile. You can read more about that here.

I have been very grateful to see great progress so quickly. I know that won't always be the case, but I'm glad to have had a great jumping off point. It isn't only about the weight loss for me, but that is a nice bonus. I love how great I feel. I love trying delicious new foods and being creative with what I make. I love being able to devote my time to feed my body correctly and by being active and getting strong.

I am having logistical issues with figuring out when and where to run that will fit into my day. I'm leaning towards running at a gym early morning or in the evening, with the option of running during the day since the gym will have child watch. Everett doesn't do well in those kind of situations so I don't really want to torture him by doing that.

The upside to that would be that I have access to the weight lifting equipment and classes at the gym as well. That is a huge bonus for me.

Please subscribe to my blog if you have a minute and let me know in the comments what kinds of things you would like to see talked about here!

Starting weight: 197.6//Current weight: 180.2//Loss since Jan. 4: 17.4 pounds//Overall: 59.8 pounds

My First Mile

Well...not really, but the first mile I've run in years.

One of my most vivid memories is around the time I was 10 years old. Part of gym class was to run a mile around our outdoor track. I did have asthma so I was cautious, but tried to run. I started by running and slowed down occasionally, then had some friends who said we should just walk the rest of the way. It took over 25 minutes for us to complete the mile. The gym period was over and the teacher had to come and get us. I remember him giving us our time on a slip of paper and I just felt awful. So awful that I had failed so badly. It didn't effect me that much at that age, but it has stuck with me. I wanted to be more than that failed mile.

I always said that I just wasn't a runner. That I couldn't do it and it wasn't for me, but I decided not to make excuses anymore. David and I decided to run a Ragnar Relay together. The Ragnar is in September, which means I have 7 months to "train" for the run. I don't have to do any specific training until 12 weeks before, so I do have a few months to just get used to running, which I'm grateful for considering I'm a novice.

So tonight, I ran my first mile. It was difficult. It took me almost 16 minutes to complete, but I did it. It was mostly fast walking mixed with sprints. But I did it. I had a stitch in my side for half the run, but I did it. That matters more to me than anything else.

If anyone has any tips to stay motivated or just for starting running in general, let me know!

February Progress Week 2

This week was good for many reasons. I'm down 2.6 pounds-from 184.2 to 181.6. I continue to feel so much better overall and can definitely see the progress I've made. Some days I do feel super bloated and get discouraged, but I'm proud that I am sticking to my goals and making good choices.
I've gotten to the point now where I usually plan what I will eat for the day in the morning, while I'm eating breakfast. I find that this lets me know what I'm lacking for the day as far as protein or if I need more fruits and veggies. I also feel more in control of my eating this way. This may not work for everyone, but this definitely helps me overall. I do change my mind, but planning ahead also gives me an idea of how many calories I have left or how many calories on average I should eat for each meal.
I've also found a nice little trick to get in some extra activity. Towards 5pm-6pm Everett tends to get a bit restless and whiny. So I put on some music and dance around like a maniac while cleaning up his toys. I might look silly but it makes Everett laugh, the toys get picked up and I get in a short workout boost. I will also throw in a couple rounds of some push ups, sit ups, planks, etc. Whatever I feel like doing to push our dance party as much as possible.
I will be putting together a play list this week of some good songs that are happy and motivating songs for a nice little dance party.
Please subscribe to my blog for updates when I post and let me know what kinds of content you would like to see.

Starting weight: 197.6//Current weight: 181.6//Loss since Jan. 4: 16 pounds//Overall: 58.4 pounds

My Current Fitness Routine

I'll start off by saying that fitness doesn't need to be going to the gym or doing anything specific. JUST MOVE YOUR BODY! Many people, myself included, get discouraged because they don't know where to start.
My favorite way to get active is getting outside with my family. It can be difficult especially since it is colder right now, but bundle up and get moving!
My current routine works mainly because my toddler still naps twice a day for 1.5-2 hours. Do what works for you and your routine.
Currently I'm using this bike which I received as a Birthday gift from my wonderful husband. I bike for 30 mins to an hour a day. I also do weighted arm workouts while I'm biking along with a different body weight workout for each day.
I also use my FitBit to help track my steps and activity. I aim for 7,500 steps a day, which can sometimes be a challenge since I stay at home, but I do like a challenge.
Please add me on MyFitnessPal and FitBit if you have them so we can motivate each other.

Here's a breakdown of my daily bodyweight exercises. I try to do these daily, but I'm focused on always completing my biking first.

Monday:                                                     Tuesday:

20 jumping jacks                                         40 jumping jacks
1:00 hamstring stretch                                 15 lying toe touches
:30 high knees                                              10 roll ups
20 jumping jacks                                          3 lying leg lifts
10 squats                                                       40 bicycle crunches
10 side lunges-each side                               20 flutter kicks
5 calf raises                                                   10 seated knee tucks
20 lunges                                                       5 extra slow roll ups
10 one leg calf raises-each leg                      3 lying leg raises
10 squats                                                       10 reverse crunches
25 inner thigh leg lifts-each leg                    10 lunge twists
10 side lunges-each side                               30 jumping jacks
5 jump squats                                                Plank for as long as possible
1:30 hamstring stretch
:45 calf stretch-each leg
3:00 pike stretch

Wednesday:                                                Thursday:

40 jumping jacks                                          20 jumping jacks
:30 jump rope                                               10 wrist circles
:20 high knees                                              20 arm swings
:20 butt kicks                                                10 kneeling push ups
30 mountain climbers                                   10 tricep dips                                
5 jump squats                                                10 weighted arm circles
:30 jump rope                                                10 tricep dips
25 jumping jacks                                           20 incline push ups
20 pivot upper cuts                                        1 full bridge
:30 march in place                                          5 tricep push ups
35 jumping jacks                                            20 arm swings
:40 jump rope                                                 10 kneeling push ups
5 jump squats
:30 high knees

Friday:                                                          Saturday: 

:30 plank                                                        30 jumping jacks
:20 side plank-each side                                 5 burpees
30 oblique crunches                                       2 star jumps
20 scissor kicks                                              40 Russian twists
20 mountain climbers                                     10 oblique crunches-each side
5 V sit ups                                                       :30 side plank-each side
:30 plank                                                         :40 plank
10 vertical leg crunches                                  20 bicycles
10 Russian twists                                             30 jumping jacks
15 mountain climbers                                      3 burpees
10 scissor kicks                                                20 mountain climbers
:30 plank                                                          10 side leg lifts-each leg
                                                                         30 Russian twists
                                                                         :30 side plank-each side
                                                                         10 oblique crunches-each side
                                                                          5 burpees

So there it is! The full routine. Again all of this can be tailored to fit your fitness level and lifestyle.
What is your favorite way to get active? Let me know in the comments.

February Progress Week 1

I was going to include this with my January update, but I didn't want to take my measurements that early. I think its important to consider your body measurements when looking at your overall progress. Weight loss can be from water weight, but real results will show up in your body measurements. I measure both my natural waist and waist at the widest part because I have such an hourglass shape, so it's helpful for me, hence the reason I have two separate measurements.

January 7th inches-                                               February 5th inches-

Weight: 195.6                                                        Weight:183.2
Right Arm: 16                                                       Right Arm: 15
Left Arm: 16                                                         Left Arm: 15
Right Leg: 27.5                                                     Right Leg: 26.5
Left Leg: 27                                                          Left Leg: 26.5
Right Calf: 16                                                       Right Calf: 15
Left Calf: 16                                                         Left Calf: 15
Natural waist: 36                                                  Natural waist: 33.5
Waist at belly button: 41.5                                   Waist at belly button: 39
Hips: 46.5                                                             Hips: 45
Bust: 41                                                                Bust: 40

Total: 242/247.5                                                   Total: 231.5/237

That's a total loss of 10.5 inches! This isn't extremely surprising considering I've lost 12.4 pounds in a month. This is not typical weight loss, but since I started at a much higher weight and have a lot to lose, I've lost more in a shorter amount of time. This isn't a sustainable rate of loss and I wouldn't want it to be. A key to successfully keeping the weight off is to be consistent with new habits and stick to your goals.

January Progress

So after the holidays and vacation, I did what most people do and recommit to fitness and weight loss.
My reasons are numerous, the biggest one being that I had now gone over my pre-pregnancy weight and I felt awful all the time because of how I was eating. I felt tired all the time, had consistent headaches, I found myself getting agitated more easily, and I didn't feel happy with that.
I knew something had to change and I had to be all in.
I know all the things I should be doing to control my weight and get my body strong, but I don't always implement them. Usually I lack motivation and go completely in the other direction. I gain weight pretty easily if I'm no paying attention to my diet choices and staying active.
So, January 1st rolled around and I had to game plan.

-I was going to use my recumbent bike to complete 1,000 miles this year. My husband's goal is to run 1,000 miles and I figured I could manage biking that many.
-I needed to focus on portion control, nutrient dense foods and tracking what I eat. I use MyFitnessPal and absolutely love it. It always helps me.
-I needed to do other strength training so I could be strong and capable.
-I needed to drink more water! This alone has been so crazy helpful.

With those things in mind I set out to meet my goals. At first I wasn't sure how much weight I wanted to lose. My main focus was just to feel better and do better. About the second week of January, I decided I was going to get my weight to 135. This is about 5 pounds less than the healthiest (when I came home from college) weight I've been able to achieve. I still have about 50 pounds to lose in order to meet this goal.
I know it won't be easy, but I know it will be worth it.

So far this month I have lost almost 12 pounds. I know this is mainly because I was eating so poorly in the months leading up to the new year, but I am prepared to alter my plans when the plateau is inevitably hit.

I am so grateful to my wonderful husband for motivating me to always do my best and to really challenge myself to do better.

My extended fitness journey

Let me start by saying my weight has almost always been an issue. Now, I also know that weight isn't everything and who you are as a person truly matters, but I want my body to be the best version it can to be there for my son and husband. I want it to function at an optimal level, so that I don't feel restricted in my life.

I cannot remember a time when I wasn't at least somewhat overweight. When I was younger, this didn't really matter to me but now it has become something I have to care about. 

I was fairly active in high school with dance and musical theatre. I didn't care too much about what I ate, but tried to make good choices. I drank lots of water due to choir and my other activities. I usually ate whatever my mom prepared and she always kept healthy food in the house. I wasn't obsessed with my weight, because my teenage body did okay. 

I became more aware the year I graduated high school. I look back at my graduation pictures and cringe because of how chubby my face looks. I decided I wanted a change. I wasn't that overweight and was actually fairly in shape at that point, but I wanted to do more. I started a plan with a local office in Huntersville that helps educate about health and fitness. I was taught to choose more nutrient dense foods, move my body, record what I ate and so on. I had lost about 10 pounds when I left for college in Idaho.

I really flourished in college as far as my personal health and fitness. My roommate and I would go to the gym regularly. I walked everywhere, mostly uphill, in the cold. I drank lots of water, I ate lean protein and tons of veggies, I took care of myself. I didn't have a scale at school, but I knew that I had lost weight based on my clothing and looking at pictures. I was happy and healthy.

After a year at college, I came back home to North Carolina and started work. I still did pretty well with what I ate, but my schedule was consumed by work. I also met David very shortly after I moved home. While David and I dated I tried to continue making good choices, but oftentimes that was overshadowed by wanting to have fun and go out to eat. I was still pretty healthy when we got married in June. I was in love and didn't really care about anything else.

Our first year of marriage I started a new job as an office manager. I was sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day and spending 2+ hours in the car commuting. I also had to work at night when I got home, so I didn't really have the time to work out. We ate whatever I had time to throw together and a lot of times just ate pizza or Cook Out, which was right across the street. That Christmas David got the recumbent bike for me as I told him I wanted to be more active and lose weight. I wasn't very committed and would try to find little moments to exercise. We bought a scale at some point and I was shocked by the number.

We moved right before our 1st anniversary and life continued to be crazy busy. David was in school full-time and working as well. We continued to eat pizza. At this point I weighed about 190 pounds. I decided around September or so that I wanted to try losing weight again as we were talking about starting a family. I assumed it would take a few months to get pregnant and that I could lose weight in the meantime. I had stopped birth control and then 4 weeks later held a positive pregnancy test in my hands. I was disappointed that I wouldn't be in the best condition to carry my baby, but decided to make the most of my situation. I ate fairly well during my pregnancy and did my best to be active, but I was still at the same job sitting on my rear all day and being pregnant is exhausting. I didn't have any motivation to workout.

I gained 50 pounds during my pregnancy and couldn't wait to start trying to lose the weight again. I had a c-section which meant I was pumped full of IV fluids and had some swelling. Everett was 8lbs, 9oz at birth, so I figured I would have lost at least 10 pounds by the time I got home from the hospital. Out of curiosity, I stepped on the scale when we got home to find I weighed the EXACT same as I did before he was born.

Then, the swelling when down and I dropped 30 pounds overnight. I was excited, but knew I had a long road ahead of me. I went back to work at 4 weeks postpartum and tried to fit some fitness into my busy schedule. This time I was on my feet for 8+ hours a day and could tell that I was out of shape.

I breastfed for 4 months, which I know contributed greatly to my weight loss. I was more conscious about what I was eating and started using MyFitnessPal again. I stopped nursing when I started working full-time and kept losing weight. I used the 21 Day Fix from Beachbody and got control of my portions and fitness routine. I was feeling strong.

I had gotten to my pre-pregnancy weight by the time my baby was 3 months old. 

Life was still crazy, but somehow we made in through while I worked full-time, David went to school and took CPA classes AND watched Everett during the day. I kept on this course for the rest of the summer until I quit my job to stay at home full-time when David started his job. 

Being at home full-time was a welcome change and I enjoyed the time I got to spend with my baby. I wanted to relax and not worry about working out. At this point, my weight had plateaued at 172 pounds and I was okay with that at the time.

Life continued to carry on and we moved into a house. I was focused on getting our home set up and spending time with Everett. Then the holidays arrived and I just wanted to spend time with my family and not worry about what I could and couldn't eat and take time away from being present with them. I had a doctors appointment on Christmas Eve and found out I was now above my pre-pregnancy weight. I couldn't believe I had failed my body so much again.

I decided enough was enough and I was going to do everything in my power to change. I wasn't going to flake out again. I wanted to be 1000% committed to being as strong as possible and be my absolute best self. I made some very serious promises to myself and have my wonderful husband to motivate and help me in my journey.

I'm hoping that by sharing my story I will be able to inspire others to start their journey, to motivate themselves to be better. 

If you were able to hang in this long, I'm impressed! 

I will be posting my January progress very soon so keep an eye out for that. 

Back in business

Well I've decided to dust off the blog and document my life. I've recommitted to my health and want to document my fitness journey.
I'm sure I'll throw in some lifestyle and beauty recommendations every once in a while, but it will mainly be about my health and fitness. I am by no means an expert on any of this, but this is a great way for me to be accountable to myself. I'm planning to post a couple of times a week to keep things consistent.
In the next week I'll be posting my progress since the beginning of January as well as a complete history of my weight loss journey. My full story is a long one, so that will take some time to hammer out.
Please comment or let me know what kinds of posts you want to see.
Here's to diving in to something new...again!