A Lifestyle Change for the Better

Change is hard. It takes time, patience, and determination. I am changing, both physically and mentally. This is not an easy journey, nor is it a short one. I am talking about my health. I have been overweight for most of my life. Things never got so out of hand that I became obese, for which I am grateful, but I have never been the best me I can be. I have done all the diets, and failed them all, because my heart wasn't in it. This time things are different.

It started when my dad got diagnosed with lung cancer. He smoked for 30 years, but hadn't smoked in 8 years when we got the news. He was paying for the choices he made when he was younger. I don't want to make that same mistake. When I was in college I gained more than my fair share of the Freshman 15, but in my senior year I lost 19 pounds. When I came home, I gained it all back, and then some.

That is not going to happen this time around. Because finally my heart and my head are on the same page. This is not about getting skinny for me. That will be a nice bonus, but I'm much more concerned about changing my lifestyle. I need to fuel my body with healthier foods and exercise, and that's what I'm doing. So far I've lost 18.4 pounds. It's a great start and I'm happy, but I still have a ways to go.

I know I'm winning this time around because of all the small victories along the way. The last three movies I've gone to I didn't have a single kernel of popcorn or a single sip of soda. Yes, it smelled delicious, but it's just not worth it for me. When I eat out, I make much healthier choices and I make sure I know how my food is prepared and what's in it. I am making time for exercise which is something I have actually come to enjoy. Speaking of soda, I've given up soda except for one time a month. Sometimes I crave it, but most of the time, I find I really don't need or want it anymore. This is huge!

I am loving my new life. Like I said, I've still got about 30 pounds to lose, but every victory counts. I will get there, no matter how long it takes. And when I make it, I will be the best me I can be. 

Happy New Year!

It's that day of the year when everyone makes a list of goals to achieve in the upcoming year. I actually like New Years resolutions. It's good to have goals, both short and long. The way I look at it is yes, it would be awesome to achieve everything I list in my resolutions, but even if I only complete a few, that is still a success. So here's to a brand new year. I just know that 2014 is going to be an amazing year. It's going to be my year! I am starting my life, and I am starting it now. 2014, look out! I am coming for you!

1. Fit into a size six dress by New Year’s Eve and WORK IT!

2. Blog at least once a week.

3. Read, read, read. Usually my goal is 100 books which would be amazing, but my more achievable goal would be 75 books which would beat my previous years. In addition I would like 20-30% of the books I read to be on my own-to-be-read bookshelf.

4. Get my first kiss. Yes, you read that correctly. I am 24 years old and still haven’t got my first kiss. Most of the people that read this blog already know this because I am an open book. So whether this means meeting someone and having it go somewhere, or picking a total stranger and making out, I am getting this done before I turn 25. For reals.

5. Start my career. Seriously. It’s time for me to stop making excuses and start really putting myself out there. If this job happened to mean moving to California, I would not be sad about that at all.

6. Get a dog so my soul will stop being broken.

7. Talk to my friends. This seems like a no-brainer, but I’m serious. Growing up, nobody tells you how hard it is to keep friends when you're an adult. Newsflash: it is. How often do I pick up the phone and call a friend just to chat. Let me answer that – never! This is not acceptable. I need to be a better friend and put forth the effort to keep my friends in my life.

8. See my friend Jenna graduate from Grad school. What an achievement! I can’t wait to see it!

9.Visit my friends in Vegas. I need a vacation and someone to quote Spongebob with me.

10. Write letters. Like real ones with a pen instead of a keyboard. One each month.

11. One drink soda once a month. I can pick a special occasion and that will be my time.

12. Pay off a debt. This will be tough, but I want to do as much as I can to make it happen.

13. Save up $2,000+ for something.

14. Save up to buy myself something special – class ring, artwork, language program, etc…

15. Take a class – hip hop, French, painting, etc…

16. Make time each day for daily devotion and prayer.

17. Donate a sizable chunk to charity.

18. Finish reading the Bible.

19. Make time to have some fun – like playing video games, which I love, but rarely play.

20. Create something.

I hope you all achieve all your goals and have an amazing 2014. 

Happy New Year!