You may have noticed that I’ve made myself scarce around here for the past few months. Well, I got into a new hobby – and I mean big time. It all started last summer when I finally decided to get serious about my health and weight loss goals. I don’t know about you other ladies out there, but pretty much my entire life I’ve been trying to lose some amount of weight. I wasn’t overweight by any means, but I also wasn’t overly fit, and I had gained a few pounds over the past couple of years. So I buckled down and started a workout regimen, and more importantly for me, I started to keep track of my calories. Now, I love to eat, y’all. For reals. I love to cook and try new things, and pretty much enjoy me some dessert and fried foods. So it was a little bit of a struggle to get into the habit of limiting myself. Once I realized that I could still eat pretty much anything I wanted as long as I was careful with the portion sizes I got a lot better at it. And then I started to see results. I lost a pound. And another. And then 5, and then 10…
You guys. I lost 20 pounds. Twenty. No kidding. I still have a hard time believing that I did it, but I feel awesome. And it’s not just knowing that I look better (because I know that I do. I tried on some jeans that didn’t even look good on me in high school and they were too big. I almost died.), it’s more just the fact that I did something that I set out to, and that I had never really been successful at in the past. I didn’t do anything really hard core – no crazy diets or P90X. I just cut back on my eating and added a 20 minute workout 4 times a week (I did Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred, which I definitely recommend if you have trouble finding extra time). Ultimately, I reached my goal weight, and I feel a thousand times better. I have more energy, I have a lot more confidence in not only the way I look, but also in myself in general. I overcame what was to me a huge obstacle and I have this great feeling that I can accomplish anything now.
But that’s only the beginning of the story. A very dear friend got herself a fitbit last year and told me how cool it was – and me being all into this new healthy lifestyle, I, of course, asked Santa to slip one into my stocking. He obliged, and I was loving being able to track my daily activity on a whole new level at about the same time I reached my weight loss goal. Once I hit the magic number on the scale I was a little lost about what I should do next. I had pretty much been doing the same workout for several months and I was looking for something new to pique my interest so I could maintain my healthier self. My friend came to the rescue again when she invited me to run the New York Marathon with her later this year. Yep, that’s the for real New York Marathon. 26.2 miles of one of the largest, and most prestigious marathons in the world. Apparently I got a little carried away with the confidence thing because I was all “Sure! That sounds fun! I can totally manage that!” And the rest, as they say, is history.
I started with the Couch-to-5K app on Dec 31, 2013 and I haven’t looked back since. I wasn’t sure about it at first… But as I got better, I started to like it. Then I started to like it a lot. And now I really really love it. I ran my first 5K race in March, I’ve got my first Half-Marathon in June, another one in August, and then the big mac-daddy Marathon in Novemeber. I never thought I’d have the ability to run a single mile, much less 26.2 of them in a row, but this running thing has really taken hold of me. I’m starting to see my body get stronger and more efficient, and I really look forward to my time on the trails/track/road.
All of this fun I’ve been having has taken a bit of toll on my free time, however, and that’s why you haven’t seen much of me lately. With my work schedule, I just have time to get my run in before grabbing a bite to eat and then heading off to work. On the weekends I relax with my husband and the dog, do some cooking, etc. As I’ve settled into a routine with the running, I’ve started to find more time here and there, and I’d really like to share with you more often again. I’ve got some great recipes I’ve been saving, and some little projects too, and hopefully you’ll enjoying hearing about them as much as I’ll enjoy sharing. In the meantime, I hope you’re all getting to enjoy some beautiful springtime weather, and that 2014 has been as wonderful for you all as it has been for me so far.
Image may be NSFW.
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PS: I’ve been neglecting my photography lately, but I recently started going through the giant pile of photos I took over our winter trip to visit family in Oklahoma; Oh my goodness, you guys. I got some really great shots that I can’t wait to share! Cheers!
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
