34 and counting.....

Lemme guess...you've been seeing me check in at the gym a bit lately?  Well, considering I work out about 7 days a week - I do check in there a lot.  Tomorrow will be exactly 6 months since I've been monitoring my intake of food and writing down EVERYTHING I eat - there is no better time than now to start documenting this process.  With the help of the best trainer in Orange County, Tray Ridenour at Back Bay Fitness, I am on a pretty remarkable quest to lose 50 pounds.  I have now, in my late 20's realized that fitness is a lifestyle, healthy choices are a part of living and there is no better time than now to start taking care of yourself.  There is no easy way, there are no gimmicks - no shakes or pills and no miracle cure to 'losing a few'.  In July, on top of a very bad pinched nerve in my lower back, I also had a minor form a neuropathy - a condition in which blood does not flow to your feet and they 'fall asleep' often.  This is genetic as my mom has been suffering with this disease for many years and I see her in so much pain.  My back was killing me for the better part of the day and I was always so, so tired.  34 pounds is a lot of weight and although it's been difficult at times, I've realized how it's actually been quite attainable by making smart decisions, staying motivated and sucking it up when you're told to do a shit ton of squat kicks (my least favorite by far). 

The many faces of me - left two = before being fit (I'm silly but I was obviously uncomfortable - right two...working it out!)

I manage to eat healthy, but I manage to treat myself.  I manage to work out, but I manage to actually enjoy it.  This has been a growing process because trust me - I wasn't instantly a fan of this lifestyle.  It takes commitment and dedication because NO ONE wants to have their alarm go off at 4:45 am three times a week.  Of course I've become a fan of how my jeans fit (and having SOOO many more options at clothing stores) but I've become a real fan of the energy I have.  I WANT to go away for the weekend, I WANT to do active things and most importantly I WANT to be outside enjoying myself. 

 

(Left = June 2012, Right = 1 week before my birthday, November 2012)

I've heard from several people that it actually is inspiring to see my "check in's" at the gym.  I've never been the inspire'er, rather the one looking to be inspired.  Because of this, I figured now - on the eve of my 6 month anniversary to 'getting serious' (i.e. food tracking) - I would put this all in one place and start a blog.  Some of it may be the work out I did or the weigh in results and some might be different recipes I've encountered - but I'll update this often to more or less remind myself why I'm doing this (and if anyone cares to join by reading my posts - welcome!).  I'm just someone who got to be pretty unhealthy (over the last two years or so), didn't think about what I was eating and found it really hard to easily get dressed in the morning.  I've learned through this process that anyone can do anything they put their mind to - and for me...my mind was put to this on July 16th, 2012.  By this July I would like to be 50 lbs down...let's see what happens!  To a healthy 2013 and to all or none of you that will look at this blog, good luck on your journey, what ever it may be!