Truth

So the truth of the matter is I have hit a small plateau in my weight loss journey!  Last week I only lost .4 of a pound from the previous two weeks!  I am in the home stretch so I know that I need to kick it into high gear to keep the losses coming!  Running, cycling, kickboxing, step and strength training are all a part of my normal weekly routine and I just keep plugging away at it.

Truth:  when i started this journey last June, I was 217 pounds and size 16.
Truth:  I now weigh 170 and just bought a size 8 jeans.
Truth:  I am healthier than I have ever been in my adult life!
Truth:  I am strong.
Truth:  I will not quit until I reach my goal of 150 lbs!!

On this journey, I have made some changes that I never dreamed would be part of my daily life!  Running never fit into my life before last year.  Now it is something I don't want to be without.  When I had knee surgery, I became depressed because I could not run.  During my recovery, I became determined to get back to running and run a 5K.  I completed that goal on December 31, 2011 so I had to set a new goal.  This time I have decided to run with a group of crazy people for charity.  Our run will take us from Mattoon, IL to Peoria, IL to raise money and awareness for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital!  I know it sounds crazy but I am passionate about this cause and have been for many years now.  I personally know 2 kids who have received treatment at St. Jude's and cannot say enough about this hospital and the beautiful little warriors that it serves, many at no cost to their family!

I am lending my legs to the cause but I really need YOUR help!  I have set a goal to raise $750 for this wonderful organization and every penny counts!  If you could just please click on the link and help me out, I would greatly appreciate it and so would the kids!  It is because of folks like YOU that St. Jude's is even possible!  Thanks for your help!

CLICK HERE TO DONATE!

Taking The Next Step

I am always asking myself; what's next? Where do I go from here? How can I help others get what I have? Lately the answer has been loud and clear! Become a personal trainer!! What?!? You heard right! I have studied the human body and the effects of diet and exercise since 2003. Does that mean that I have always put what I have learned into practice?? That would be a resounding NO, but this time is very different from the rest!

Always before, I was in it for me and only me. Granted, it started out that way this time too but then something changed as others began to inquire about my 50 pound weight loss, eating and working out. I began to see that I could help others be their best inside and out so I am taking the next step.

What is the next step? I am so glad you asked! I have decided to become a personal trainer but the only thing standing between me and that goal is the $600 tuition for the on-line training course and certification test. At this point I am just praying that we find a way to make it work but until then I will continue to work on myself each and every day that I am alive!

I Am Melting!

Maybe I am not melting but I am still losing weight! At today's weigh in, I was down another 4 pounds so I am 2 pounds away from another mini goal and 14 away from my final goal! I am excited by the thought that I could be at goal by my birthday, at the end of May, which is also my one year mark for my weight loss journey!

I am not resting on my laurels! I am constantly tweaking my eating and my workout routines. Last week, I adding an early morning spin class to my schedule 3 mornings a week. Getting up at 5 AM is hard enough but stick me on a bike and make me sweat, well, that's a lot! Ha! I am a glutton for punishment but that punishment is paying off!

I have to admit that I am thinking about ways to help others lose weight! I enjoy watching others achieve their health and fitness goals and I am thinking about taking it to the next level! We shall see what the future holds! All I know is that I am getting closer to my goal every day and I will push forward!