Thinner Thursday’s – The First Step Is The Hardest

Yesterday as I was navigating the wonderful world of Twitter I came across a fun blog (mommymatters.net).  As I was exploring the many posts she had to offer I stumbled upon her "Thinner Thursday's" and knew I had to find a way to participate.  I have been on my own fitness journey for quite some time now, but I am no where near done.  So, I thought maybe it would be nice to have some bloggy friends to keep accountable with!  Just like my title today says, the first steps to living a healthier and more active lifestyle are always the hardest.  I have been an active person, for the most part, the majority of my life.  In high school I was involved in sports pretty much all year long.  In college I often found myself heading to the wellness center to run or do the stair machine for awhile, although I'm pretty sure the college life I was living cancelled all of that out!  Post college I got in to running again and seemed to hit a stride (no pun intended).  It was once I met my now husband I started to slow down.  I guess I became victim to the cliche of getting "comfortable" in a relationship and letting those comfort pounds slip on.  From the time I met my husband until we were married I had gained about 10-15 pounds.  ON a side note, to be honest that probably wasn't a bad thing.  Prior to meeting my hubby I was exercising a little too much and eating not enough after going through a rather hurtful relationship.  That is another story for another post though.  It was after I had my son I had really hit a new level in terms of my weight.  Again, I know it is common to gain weight during pregnancy and I know it can be difficult to lose it again, but that wasn't my issue.  I actually lost the pregnancy weight rather quickly.  It was the fact that I decided to eat like crap and not workout at all that made me hit nearly my highest pregnancy weight 4 months post baby.  It was not a proud moment and I knew I had to do something.  

Since then 2 years have passed and I have been on a journey to get my butt in shape!  I have conquered goals by completing a kick butt boot camp type class here in town and a half marathon in under 2.5 hrs!  I even lost up to 30 lbs at one point!  But, I have to admit, I got too comfortable again.  I allowed myself to eat a few too many desserts and miss a few too many workouts and let about 10 of those pounds come back on.  So, now you find me present day.  I am about 20 lbs from my goal weight and am more determined then ever to reach that weight before my husband and I add to our family.  We would love to have another child, but I really want to be as healthy as possible before getting pregnant again.  

Off an on for the last year I have been working out by running and using the program Turbo Fire (by Chalene Johnson).  My biggest problem has been the consistency.  I find myself just doing the workouts that I have time for (and as a busy working mom that can get a little tough sometimes) and not always following the calendar so I haven't gotten the results I know I can.  This August 1st, I decided to put all of the excuses aside and resolved to start the Turbo Fire calendar from day 1 (yet again) only this time I am going to follow through!  I am currently on day 10 and am proud to say I have done EVERY workout!  I know I always feel great after a workout, but why is it that it is so hard to take the initiative to put on the workout clothes and press play some days?  It is SO easy to make excuses.  Tell myself I'll do it tomorrow.  Let myself believe I"m too tired or I have a pain that just needs a day of rest.  Can you relate?  Have you ever been there?  But, this time I don't want to be that person.  You know them.  They start something and three weeks later you check in and can't see any updates or talk about it.  Well, that won't be me this time.  I have committed to myself, I have committed to the blogosphere and I have made a commitment to my family.  I know there are a few simple things I will need to do to stay on track and finally reach my goals.

1)  Schedule my workouts like an appointment and STICK TO THEM!

2)  Keep a daily journal recording what I eat, drink & my workouts.

3)  Stay accountable by blogging and doing my video blog on my youtube channel once a week, as well as posting daily on my Facebook page the workout I am doing that day.

4)  Write down my goals on paper and then re-visit them EVERY day.

So, just to recap, the workout I will be using is Turbo Fire.  I will be working out between 30 and 60 minutes 6 times a week (depending on the length of the scheduled workout).  I am currently 25 pounds from my ultimate goal, but I would be happy with 20 and  I will be using a meal replacement/ protein shake (Shakeology) daily to make sure I am getting the nutrition I need.   

I know the first step is the hardest, but I'm past that already.  Now it is time to buckle down and do the work.  It is time to make my goals a reality!