mission: get healthy

Back in July, I finally got fed up.  I had been irritable and unpleasant for weeks and blamed most of it on living in Connecticut.  Even more though I blamed it on not doing anything for myself - so that weekend I went out and bought some canvases and paint and an easel.  (I haven't used these yet but I feel better having them).  Overall I just wasn't happy with myself and one night I wrote down the things that were bothering me most:

• Unwillingness to workout even though I don't like being fat
• Buying things that are unnecessary or just because they're on sale
• Eating out all the time
• Living in clutter

Now I should clarify one thing: I had definitely gained weight, but I probably didn't fit in the fat category - but my pants defintiely weren't fitting anymore.  Anyways, clearly many of these were related.  If I actually went to the grocery store instead of eating out every night, my bank account would be happier and I would probably start dropping some pounds.  Once that light bulb finally went off, I started making some changes.

Things really got going on August 31 when I downloaded a food journal type ap that lets me keep track of everything I'm eating and calculates all the nutrition totals.  I also started going to the gym just about every day and really kicking up that cardio.  I started cooking again and discovered a delicious way to roast veggies and also learned that maybe I don't hate salads as much as I thought I did.

I don't have a before picture and even if I did, I probably wouldn't post it.  But here are some of my accomplishments so far:

• I've lost 7 pounds!!
• I jokingly flexed the other day and saw more bicep than I've ever seen on myself before
• My pants are fitting much better!
• I actually like and look forward to working out

My biggest accomplishment so far though came this past Tuesday though.  About a month ago, my friend Kristen introduced me to this little workout: run a mile, do 10 (girl) push-ups, 15 squats, and 20 crunches x5 (KK says 10, I laugh), and then run another mile.  Now I hate running.  I really do.  BUT running outside is actually rather peaceful and for just a mile, it's kind of enjoyable.  Plus, I know I'm running towards something and not just running to run.  I decided to do this workout for the 4th time on Tuesday.  I took out the crunches because I had done pilates the day before and added in some reps of tricep rows and make-the-love-handles-go-away moves, but everything else stayed the same.  News flash: the girl that hates running ran the first mile in 10 minutes flat with only 1.5 minutes of walking and ran the second mile in 10.5 minutes with only 2.5 minutes of walking.  I was ecstatic!  Here's to many more accomplishments and an eventual after picture!