In all my glory!

As embarrassing as this is, I'm going to post my BEFORE pictures so that I can say there will be a during and an AFTER.  I can't believe how gross my stomach area is.  Even my back has rolls.

 I guess those of us who need to lose weight need to start some place.  I hope this eventually is inspiration to all of you.

Yes, tonight is New Year's Eve.  I'm staying home and I will probably be in bed by 12:01pm  The only reason I'm staying up is because my oldest thinks it's important.  Tomorrow (or tonight at midnight) it officially becomes her 1/2 birthday.   Because her birthday falls in July, she has to celebrate her 1/2 birthday at school (which ALSO falls during winter break!)  Either way, she thinks it's important and we have to stay up until 12:01 to celebrate the new year and her 1/2!

Due to my child's 1/2 birthday, I have been charged with making her "birthday treat" for school.  YAY!  (*Please sense my sarcasm!)   Lucky me, she has decide that she wants HELLO KITTY Cake Pops.  Oh JOY!  Let me tell you... I'm not a great baker and I'm even less of a cake pop maker!  Tonight was my second go-round attempt.  Lets hope all the trials get eaten before my new life officially starts at 12:01am.  :)

They didn't turn out that horrible:

They sure look more appealing than the pictures above!!!  

We do need to find a smaller candy for the nose, but other than that they are pretty good for me.   For those who aren't dieting yet... the cake is RED VELVET.  My favorite!  YUM.  

I hope you are all drinking some delicious calories tonight and enjoying the last evening of 2012.  

Tomorrow is a NEW day and a NEW me!

Tomorrow is THE DAY!

It probably sounds like any other time I try to start.... saying that tomorrow is the day.  It's easy to say that tomorrow is the day.  However, I'm very much a mental prep type person.  I need to be prepared! I could never start a diet on a Sunday... because, well Monday is the start of week.  Too bad Jan 1st isn't on a Monday!  However, since I'm on break, I can handle the Tuesday start because I don't have a routine to stick to.  January 1st the the START of something new.  Even my horoscope says that 2013 is the year to build the new me.  I'm sure I sound kind of OCD, but I really need to be in the right place mentally or it will not happen.

A Facebook post by a friend who has had Lymphoma 4 times reminded me that I should be thankful for the days I have ahead of me and I should take care of the body I have because it's the only one God gave me.  This friend was told a few months ago that there was nothing else the doctors or medicine could do for her.  She is a prime example of a positive attitude.  She believes in living life to the fullest and even on her "not so good days," she tries to make the best of it.  Through persistence and patience, she was called to be part of a new drug trial and starts in 2 days.  To have been treated for Lymphoma and been in remission 3 times already, I can only imagine that the frustration of hearing she has relapsed once again and then to be told the doctors can't help her.  She is hopeful that the new treatment will help her gain a 4th remission.  HER post is what inspires me.  Isn't that crazy?  Shouldn't it be the other way around?  It reminds me of the quote:

"You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice."

Isn't that the truth?  Why do we wait until we have no choice though?  Why not prove myself now?

So, tomorrow is the day.  MY DAY!  My day to be strong, suck it up and move forward.  

I'm hoping tonight to take my "Before" photos and to post them here.  Look forward to those!!!  They are going to be Horrendous! In fact, they may help curb your appetite.  

Wishing you all a SAFE NYE!

Michele

Starting Over

As the year comes to an end I realize that I have to start over once again.  I hate to admit this, but of course I'm back up to one of my highest weights.  I feel horrible about myself and I am not exercising.  I was doing so well with running.  I ran my first half marathon with TnT in September and I finished much faster than my goal time.

I was not losing much weight because I was still eating horribly.  I wanted so badly to lose my extra weight, but I just got so stressed that I gave up.  I gave up!

Two weeks ago I ran my second half marathon on very little training.  I made it.  It wasn't fast and it hurt, but I made it.  I was only running about 10-15 miles a week for training...sometimes much less.

The excuse I started this blog with is now a year old and I don't really think I can use the excuse anymore.  (See left picture!)

I have been reading some of the blogs that inspire me and the words that are written are SO true.  They say it better than I can, so I'm just going to post a few links.

One of my favorites is: Ben Does Life.  He just published a book about his weight loss journey and yet he is so honest about his struggles of currently not being active and as healthy as he would like.  His words could have come out of my mouth!

Another very inspiring blog is:  See Mom Run Far.  Erin is a mom to 12 (biological and adopted children combined) and she has lost over 80 pounds and has gone from non-runner to wanting to go to the 2016 olympic trials.

So, once again I'm going to start.  I have to admit that I feel ashamed that I have to start over, but so many of us have been on this journey and very few people have figured it all out on their first shot.  In fact, I can bet that anyone who has had more than 30 pounds to lose has had at least a few slip-ups or start overs along the way.  While it's not easy, it's expected and it's ok.

What's my plan?  I'm setting a few goals for myself.  These are NOT resolutions.  This is what I plan to accomplish in 2013:

1.  Lose 45 pounds (Current weight: 190, goal weight 145)
2.  Run another 1/2 marathon
3.  Run a 5K in under 32 minutes
4.  Complete in a sprint triathlon
5.  Join Team Toledo Triathlon club
6.  Keep up with my blog (at least 2 posts a week!)

These goals are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely!  (SMART)

So here we go!

Michele