My "WHY"

When making the decision to change, everyone has their "why". It is important to establish this why so you can continue focus and not lose sight of the goal. I decided I had a few reasons for wanting to change my lifestyle and eating habits. My first reason was for my family. Mainly, my husband and children. I wanted to be able to provide nutritious meals, and teach by example on what was healthy and what we should put into our bodies, and show the importance of exercise. The first step was to eliminate the junk food and get on the right track! I also had envisioned who I wanted to be. I want to be the mom that can take her children on hikes, go camping and not worry about how much energy and effort it will take to get everything prepared. I want to be a mom that can keep up with her children and exercise with them! I want to be a fit family that enjoys the outdoors together!

Changing

I have officially hit the 30 pound mark! I have lost 30 pounds and have dropped 8 pant sizes in only a few short months! It is amazing to feel the difference in my mood, energy levels, self-esteem and many other things. ONE OF MY MANY EXCUSES FOR YEARS: I would keep telling myself I will not let the numbers on the scale determine my happiness! Then I came to realize that I can't keep up wth my children, I get out of breath just walking up the stairs, I felt crummy about what I saw in the mirror, was embarassed in a swimsuit and guilty when I would go back for seconds! I was letting my choices determine my happiness! The numbers had nothing to do with my happiness, it was the way I FELT no matter what the scale said. Now I still believe that the numbers won't determine my happiness, and I am on my way to a better life with deeper meaning! I will be teaching my children by example and helping them to live better and make proper choices regarding nutrition! I CHOOSE TO LIVE!

Choose happiness!!

I have had one main excuse for MANY years! I always told myself that I wouldn't let the numbers on the scale determine my happiness. My family and friends loved me no matter what. But then thinking about it, I would get out of breath going up the stairs, couldn't run and keep up with my children, feel embarassed in a swimsuit, and fell guilty when I would go back for seconds (or more), I realized that these were factors that were determining my happiness. All because of my own CHOICES. We can't blame anyone else for our bodies, for our choices, for our reactions, or many other aspects of life. I still believe that the numbers on the scale won't determine my happiness, but the way I live and the choises I make will. I CHOOSE to LIVE and happiness will no doubtedly come!

A NEW WAY OF LIFE! FINALLY!

Steve and I have FINALLY found, somewhere inside, the desire to FINALLY get in shape and better our lives! For years it has been excuse after excuse as to why we weren't going to exercise, eat healthier, and become more active. WHAT WERE WE WAITING FOR? It's hard to pinpoint exactly what it was at what point in time that the final decision was made, but we are on our way to getting in shape and being better role models for those who matter most in our lives; our children and other family members, and whoever else may be watching us either from close distances, or from a far. I hope to inspire many as I start this journey. Who in their life wouldn't want to change their lifestyle if they notice the numbers on the scale slowly rising? I was in denial for so long as I watched the scale slowly climb. My clothes were getting tighter, and I was in denial. "It's okay," I would tell myself. "I am still happy. I still have family that love me. I am still the same fun-loving person. I won'tlet my happiness be determined by the numbers on the scale. I see people that are bigger than me..." Where and when do the excuses end?? I can guarantee that they don't end until YOU decide for yourself that it's NOT okay to make excuses anymore. And that is what we started doing just last month. I will be happy to share my thoughts and experiences with all who are willing to read. I will eventually make a youtube video of my transformation when I reach my goal weight, but that will be several months down the road. I may, in time, get brave and begin to share some before and after photos! I am still in that phase where I am ashamed of how far I let myself go, and how awful (seriously!) I look in my day 1 pictures! But I will cherish them as I go through this journey, because I know that I never want to look or feel like that again! And I still know that my happiness is not determined by the numbers on the scale, but by how I FEEL inside and out and already I feel a HUGE difference!

Time flies when you're having fun!!

This is our baby girl! Born on October 10, 2010 *(10/10/10) she is now 7 months! She is growing so fast and we enjoy her so much! Such a happy baby that is loved and adored by all who know her! Daddy calls her "Smiley" and Mommy calls her "Sweetie" because she is!!!!