Ups and Downs

This year has been going fairly well, all things considered. Though, a couple of weeks ago, I came to a bit of a stand still with working out I've worked out twice in the last two weeks. It's almost like I hit a wall - and I just haven't been able to get around it yet.

I've felt busy, but just in the last week or so, I've had a hard time focusing on the things I need to get done (like still clean my apartment!). It's been difficult - I don't have anywhere I need to be most days, so my sleep schedule has gotten all weird. I think I'm naturally a night owl.

Today, I was home all day, and decided to start my Etsy page again - you'll see it on the side of my blog page, and I've also started cleaning off my craft table (trust me, there was NO space on it...). This is good - once it's cleaned off, I can start making some new items! I have lots of beading supplies, and now have some time to use them!

I also am going to go back to yoga tomorrow - I haven't been in a few weeks, and while I know I probably won't make it through an entire class at this point, I need to at least go back.

So, here's to getting past obstacles and moving forward! No more stalling!

Why am I doing this?

I started reading Jackie Warner's "This is Why You're Fat (and How to Get Thin Forver)" tonight.

I didn't even make it past the first 3 pages because it got me starting to think about why I'm on a weight loss journey. 2010 brought a couple things that got me thinking.

#1 - my mom had a heart attack in May. She had to have a stent put in. She's doing very well now, but it was a wake up call, in addition to a diagnosis of high blood pressure (which she's had for a long time) and diabetes (which was a new thing).

#2 - I started going to a new doctor and had a blood test done. My cholesterol was 239 - borderline high, but closer to too high. This was in September - and I started working out and trying to be healthy, until I came down with pneumonia, which delayed things for a couple months while I tried to get back to normal.

So, when I had the opportunity to start over in 2011, I actually started looking at what I was eating (a lot of fast food in the car; lots of eating out). When I got the results of that blood test, I asked for 6 months to get my cholesterol down by myself. I knew I could do this if I made it a priority.

So, here I am on this journey - so far, so good. I've been watching what I take in for food by keeping a food journal - not so much to be a calorie counter, but to see what types of foods I'm eating. What can I eat in the car instead of fast food? I've been taking granola bars and snack mixes with nuts, fruit and dark chocolate (yum). I've switched out potato chips and dips for chips and salsa. Whole grains are now in almost everything I've purchased. Ice cream has been replaced with yogurt...etc.

I don't have to work out 7 days a week. I take a break when I want one, but realize if i haven't worked out the day before, I have to the next day. Now I'm trying to find new things to do to add to yoga and the exercise bike.

I feel much better, and I'm looking forward to the results of all of this. I feel like 2011 is off to such a great start!

Not a bad start

I weighed in for the end of week 4 on Saturday. Since January 1st, I've lost 2 pounds. Not a huge amount, but it's something. I've been working on switching things out in my cabinets - ice cream for yogurt, lower calories foods, more fresh foods...and I haven't been eating out nearly as much. I've also been working out regularly, only missing some days during the month (but not a majority!), so that's been going well.

I'm trying to figure out how to take this to the next level. But, I also am content with where I'm at and where I'm trying to go at this point. Slow and steady wins the race. My first small goal is to lose 10 pounds, and I'm 20% there already.

I'm looking forward to seeing where this takes me!