And so it begins...

Okay.

So, there I was just 7 days ago looking in the mirror and thinking, "Nothing fits anymore." Have you ever been there? In that place where you are uncomfortable in your own skin?...swimming in pudge and seeing just how much damage "falling off the band wagon" had done? That's how I felt. However, it wasn't just that. I'd also noticed that walking up stairs had gotten harder over the year that had passed since my last visit with a trainer, how my mood had shifted to a constant state of melancholy, and most significantly, how my stress levels had gone through the roof. I felt like I was carrying 2 tons of bricks on my shoulders at all times. I was at my breaking point physically and mentally, and I knew I needed to do something about it.

Tuesday, April 26th, I researched local gyms. I found a nice womens only gym only a mile from my house. I called, set up an appointment to come in the following day, and was offered a free week pass.

Wednesday, Day 1, they showed me the ropes. It was a small, fairly quiet place. The ladies were extremely nice and understanding of my injuries. This was important to me because only a year ago I'd been in a car accident that messed up my neck, back, hips and knees. The prior to that, I'd had a bad shoulder injury while playing a camp game with a few middle school kids and the year prior to that, had a severe case of tendinitis/carpal tunnel syndrome in both arms. I was a mess...and I think I used my injuries to demotivate myself within the last year. No more!

First, I set a few goals: 1) to lose 20 pounds by my 25th birthday (only 7 weeks from Day 1, so less that 3 lbs/wk). 2) hit the gym or find some kind of exercise to do 5 days/wk, 1-2 hours/day. 3) change my eating habits to 5-6 small meals/day, choose high fiber carbs and ditch the table sugar and high fructose corn syrup (minus the occasional dark chocolate indulgence...I don't want to go insane).

This past first week was a cinch getting to the gym/exercising 5 times. The reason wasn't because I'm disciplined, but rather that I LOVE WORKING OUT! I've really been looking forward to work outs because my moved has improved instantly, stress just rolled right off my shoulders, and I'm already seeing physical results in just one week (the line of my body is already improving). Regardless of the fact that it's only been 7 days, I'm already stronger and have been able to push myself harder. I love it! And I've missed feeling this way (I'd forgotten just how amazing good exercise makes me feel).

As far as diet goes, I've done decently at making better choices. Structure has helped, but a piece of candy or simple carbs have made their way in there a little tiny bit. It's nothing I feel the need to be upset about because I still eat fairly healthily in the first place and probably needed to switch to smaller/more frequent meals rather than changing the foods I eat.

I'm really excited to go on this journey. I feel fantastic and I can't wait to see those pounds roll off. Hopefully my story will also motivate you to make lifestyle improvements (it's amazing what diet and exercise can do for our overall health). More to come soon!