Gettin Sexy Challenge

I'm taking part of the challenge that Katie posted for the month of October. As a part of the challenge I am suppose to come up with goals that will make me feel sexier by the end of October.  I love this idea!
Here are my goals:

1.  Continue eating good, healthy food including lots of veggies and fruit. 

2.  Cutting out all junk food from my diet.  My one a day candy bar and sweet tea habit has been kicked to the curb!

3. Finding some "girlie" colored nail polish and keeping my nails nicely painted for the whole month.  I'm a low maintenance kind of girl who is dying to be prettier.

4.  Using the good smelling lotion daily instead of saving it for a special occasion.

5.  Sleeping in real pajamas and not my husbands old tee shirts and sweat pants.  (This might be the hardest goal to keep as I'm not sure I fit into any of my pajamas!)

Thanks for the challenge, Katie, it is just what I needed!

Day 1 - Quick Update

It is bronchitis.

But the Dr. gave me three prescriptions and my husband and I have decided to go out of town anyway.  If we are going to just lay around for the weekend and relax we would rather do it out of town.  If we stayed home we would be tempted to do laundry, etc.

I'm disappointed in this small setback but it reminds me again about how important your health is and why I am so dedicated to getting mine back.

Weigh In - Day 1

I did it, I dusted off the scale and stepped on it. I knew the number would be scary and it was. I officially weigh more now then I did when I was 9 months pregnant. But it's okay, I'm not freaking out too bad. I think not knowing the number was almost worse.

On another note. I've been feeling sick lately and this morning I'm feeling bad enough to call the doctor. I really hope it isn't bronchitis, I'm suppose to go out of town tomorrow and I don't want to miss that trip. It's my 25th wedding anniversary and my husband and I really need this time together.

Off to call the doctor and eat a healthy breakfast.

My Story

It's been an emotional 24 hours for me. 

Deciding to start this blog was making the decision to be accountable to someone else for my choices.  A very scary proposition.  However, within hours of my first post I received so many warm welcomes I quickly realized it was the best decision I could make!

I've been reading your blogs over the past week and am amazed at how brave you all are.  And how honest.  It inspires me to do this same.  This is my story.

My life today looks nothing like the life I lived 4 years ago.  At that time I was living in Florida, a stay at home mom raising my two boys.  We had been transferred there in 2001 and I loved it!  It was like living in paradise for me.  I was happy and active.  While the boys were in school during the day I would hit the gym and spend 45 minutes a day on the elliptical.  3 days a week I was lifting weights.  In the evening I trained for long distance bike races with my neighbor.  I was taking Yoga and Meditation classes.  While nobody would ever call me skinny, I was healthy.  Healthier than I had been in years. 

Prior to moving to Florida I was really struggling with Anxiety and Panic Attacks.  I was in therapy and working very hard at recovery.  But those years in Florida were anxiety free!  I felt great!

Then 4 years ago my husband's job was outsourced and we were forced to move back home to Indiana.  My boys and I were devastated.  It was a tough time for all of us but while they all seemed to adjust, I've continued to struggle.  We arrived home on January 1st in the midst of a miserably cold and snowy winter.  I immediately sunk into a depression.  I had to give up being a stay at home mom and return to the work force to help with the finances.  I missed being home for the kids and I missed all my Florida friends.  I completely gave up exercise.  Eventually the anxiety returned and over the past 4 years I have been slowly but steadily gaining weight. 

My oldest went off to college last year and next year his younger brother will be joining him.  I'm facing an empty nest.  Last year my husband and I separated and while we are back together we still have issues to work through.  It feels like along with my health, my life is also out of control.  Everything is changing and I need to change too.  I need to regain my health in order to face the challenges ahead. 

Thank you everyone for being my inspiration.  Tomorrow I'm going to face my first challenge.  I'm going to step on that scale and read a very scary number.  It's good to know you will all be there for support.

Good night everyone!

I'm Ready To Begin The Journey!

I owe the inspiration for this blog to Christina at Never The Skinny Girl.  It was the middle of the night last week when I discovered her blog while spending yet another sleepless night surfing the internet.  Her postings inspired me to take the first step towards regaining my health - acknowledging that I am the only one who can change my life. 

I've spent the last week debating whether or not I was really ready this time.  I've started so many "Monday Morning" diets and I don't want to go back to that pattern.  But over the last week I've read not only Christina's blog but many of the blogs she follows.  And, I am bursting with enthusiasm!  Thank you to everyone who has posted their struggles and their triumphs.  You have touched my life and made me believe that this time I CAN do it!

Let the journey begin!