Fed up!

I am on a mission...

 I am completely sick and tired of being unhealthy and unhappy with myself. 

 I have four great kids. They are wonderful, intelligent, creative... They have definitely left a mark on my heart. Unfortunately they have also left a mark on my waist, my thighs, my rear and everywhere else. For the past 14 years, I have been trying to figure out a quick fix. I have tried it all. Diet pills, workout videos, shakes, bars, no gluten, high protein, low carb, and countless other weight loss gimmicks and tricks. Nothing has been sustainable. A few years ago, I ran a few half marathons. 3 in 3years. I lost some weight and was feeling good. But, I burned out on the running and hit a plateau in my weight loss.i got frustrated and gave up. I started gaining weight and got very depressed. I am now coming out of "the dark", and am trying to get back on track. 

 So, first thing I did was weigh in. You need a starting point, right? I thought, "Can't be that bad...?". Wrong. I stepped on the scale recently and discovered I have definitely gained some weight. The really depressing thing is not only have I gained back all the weight I lost previously which was 60lbs, but I officially weigh more now than I did after my last pregnancy. Depressing, right?

 Well, after this sobering realization, I figured I have two options. I can either crawl back into "the dark", being my depression, or I can move forward. I decided that this is it. I am done with the quick fix and the diets. I am also done with the negative self talk, and the self loathing. I am on the mend. I am going to figure out how to be healthy and happy and never look back. Sounds good doesn't it? Now I just need a plan...

 I know what I don't want and that is another "diet". I know the term is starting to be overused, but, I need a lifestyle change. Not a gimmick, or a pill. I decided to listen to what my wonderfully smart husband has been telling me for the last 13yrs. He has been telling me to get back to basics. To eat only what you need. You know, food as fuel, that whole thing. So, that is my plan. To eat naturally good foods. Fruits, veggies, grains, etc. Basically a whole food diet. Or clean eating. The theory is simple, if you don't know where it came from, don't eat it.  

 I have planted my vegetable garden, and have started making bread and other snacks that I would have previously purchased. I am packing my lunch everyday and planning out our dinners with the help of a great trainer I know. I am also back at the gym. My goal right now is 3days per week. I found an awesome spin class and a yoga class. So far, it is going well.

 This is going to be a long process, but a necessary one. I am so excited to see where this takes me. And I think documenting this journey here will be fun. I will keep you posted :)