What Have I Been Up To?

It's time to get real folks. I don't have a lot of time to blog lately. I feel like I've been saying this for about the past 6-8 months. Anyway, it's true. And it makes me sad. More recently, it's been a little more my choice rather than lack of time. I thoroughly enjoy blogging, but something had to give. Here's the thing... I promised myself that this was my year. I am going to do it. I am getting back to my old, healthy, fit self. I finished breast feeding in November. I'm done having babies. No more excuses, the weight has got to come off.

It makes me a little sick to realize that I've gained 25 pounds since moving to VA. I could blame that on a lot of factors like: being older, having my 5th baby, being stressed through months of unemployment, and so on and so forth. But, I'm not going to do it. It was my choice, even as I continued to see the numbers go up on the scale. I stopped exercising, I got a little depressed. I had to go a size up in jeans. My clothes got tighter. And I had enough!

I went back to the gym, started eating healthier. I re-injured myself mid-January (an old dance injury, ripped hamstring muscle. Ouchie) and became really discouraged. I couldn't go the gym for about 4 weeks. But I still tried to eat healthy, walk when I could, and stay upbeat. I was able to go back to the gym last week, and it felt SO good! My heavier body is unfamiliar with the routines I try to push it through, and it's frustrating to struggle to do things I used to do easily.

Still, I'm not giving up. It takes a lot of time to get to the gym every day. It takes a lot of time to plan out what I'm going to eat every day and at what time of day so that I don't ever become too hungry and binge. I have sacrificed things I enjoy doing (like blogging :) in favor of excercise, and sleep. Also, unfortunately, things I don't enjoy so much like laundry and cleaning. On top of that, I'm really trying to moderate the time I spend on the computer. It's such a time-stealer. And while I enjoy the computer, blogging, and the Internet, etc., I need to have a balance in my life. I feel like I'm finding that balance.

I decided to start posting about my healthy journey on my blog. It will help me to be more accountable. So, help me out, okay? If I haven't mentioned my health goals in awhile, ask me about it! I love my readers, and I'm happy to share my life with you. It's so nice to have the support.

In case you're interested, I've been using My Fitness Pal for help recording my daily food intake, my excercise, my goals, etc. It's a great website, and they also have a free app. It takes awhile to get used to, but it's worth it.

Have a happy, healthy day, and thanks for reading!

(this whole meal was measured, down to the 2 teaspoons of brown sugar. Delightful :)