Week 1 Down!

I made it through my first week of my Body-For-Life Challenge. Honestly, it wasn't as hard on me as I thought it would be. I thought the mental aspect of it all would be the hardest part for me to overcome. I had myself convinced that I needed to drink a Coke in the mornings to wake me up, or drink one when I was stressed. I made excuses all the time for not working out, and told myself that when I did have free time, I should use it resting instead of working out or walking. And since I wasn't working out, there was no reason to eat healthy. Now, I've changed my way of thinking.

I've started out with small changes. I've quit drinking Cokes, and started drinking more water, juices, and nutritional drinks. I've replaced high-calorie, high-fat foods with lean meat, and more fruits and veggies. I am now taking vitamins. I've even began my workout regimen. It's still in the early stages, but at least I'm up and moving around!

I lot 4 pounds last week! I am really excited about my progress, as I wasn't expecting to lose that much the first week. I know I won't always lose that much, but it's a nice start and great motivation!

Day 1

I must say, I took it easy on myself today. I ate a bowl of Kashi Go Lean Crisp for breakfast, a ham and cheese sandwich on whole wheat for lunch, and pasta salad for supper, and a very small bowl of Kashi to stave off my craving for something sweet. I didn't drink water, like I know I should, but I didn't drink Coke, which is a bigger step. I had a concoction of half sweet tea and hlf cranberry juice. I know the sugar isn't doing me any favors, but I'm easing myself into this. I know if I make drastic changes, I'll never stick with it.

I didn't exercise either, but I have a good reason for that. I spent six hours cleaning/ doing housework. I have this thing. When I start something new, like the Body For Life Challenge, I have this need to get things in order. Yesterday, I spent a few hours cleaning my living room, organizing things that have been out of place for quite a while. Today, it was my closet. Sometimes, I feel like I ignore my household duties, and push them aside because I try to hide my emotions and push them aside as well. If I ignore things, they can't bother me. This is all fine and well, but it piles up and everything comes to light at once. I guess I've got a lot to work through. Maybe this journey will help me with that.

I start back to class tomorrow. The semester started, we had two days of class, then a snowstorm hit, so we had no class at all last week. Dreadful. I hate getting all psyched for college, then something coming along to throw me off course. I get distracted with such things happening. I hope I get back on track this week.

Ok, so tomorrow is day 2. Let's see how it goes...

I hate Mondays...

I hate Mondays. I wish I didn't, but I am human. Monday means the beginning of the work week, the beginning of the school week. I'm not at work today though. Today is a holiday. I slept until 9 a.m. I still feel really tired though. I have a lot to do today, and yesterday I felt ready to do it all, but not today. Maybe it's my bipolar disorder kicking up. Saturday, I was fine most of the day, then I begame rather withdrawn and quite. Yesterday, I was full of energy and promise. Today, I'm dragging.

Mondays are always dreadful for me, but I want to change that. I want Mondays to signify my commitment I've made to myself, to my mind, and to my body. I want to look forward to Mondays, or at the very least, not roll my eyes and sigh at the thought of it.

Tomorrow Is It!!!

Tomorrow, I officially start my Body-For-Life Challenge. Tomorrow, I will begin eating better, and exercising. I will increase my water intake, and decrease my caffeine intake. I will start taking vitamins ans nutritional supplements. Tomorrow, I will start taking the steps towards a new me.

With that being said, let me tell you about my weekend! This weekend, I enjoyed eating a triple dipper at Chili's yesterday, complete with southwestern egg rolls, big mouth bites, and spinach artichoke dip. Lat night, I dug into some Zaxby's chicken tenders, slathered in wimpy sauce, followed by a Little Debbie Nutty Bar. Today, I've relished in eating 3 slices of Pizza Hut Meat Lovers, followed by a Fudge Round. Oh yes, I've enjoyed myself this weekend, taking full advantage of food, and not feeling guilty for any of it. I loved it! I want to have a healthy relationship with food. Yes, I may have went overboard this weekend, but I know by doing so, I've satisfied quite a few cravings, and emotions. I feel ready to start this new chapter in my life, and for once, I feel I will succeed.

New Year, New Me!!!

As 2010 came to a close, and 2011 made it's debut, I turned 31. For the most part, age doesn't really mean anything to me. In that time, my life has been many a different thing: happy, sad, lonely, pathetic, guilt-ridden, care-free, scared, just to name a few.

Like most, I wanted to start this year out with a positive attitude and a new outlook. I decided last night to take the EAS Body-For-Life Challenge. For those of you not familiar, the Body-For-Life Challenge is a challenge to make lifestyle chnages that not only promote good health and a healthy body, it also focuses on working on one's self from the inside as well. I believe for most of us who've tried dieting in the past, we find the results are usually short-lived. I think this is because we work so hard on our outside, we neglect and even forget our inside. You may not realize it, but being healthy emotionally and mentally aides in our physical well-being. To be truly successful at weight-loss and physical health, you gotta work on the other as well.

I'm at a crossroads in my life where I feel this is the time for me to take control of my life. I'm working full-time, as well as going to school full-time. I married and have a very active 11 year old. My plate is full, but it's fulfilling. It may appear that I will not have time to prepare yummy, healthy meals, or even manage to work out at all, but I will. I will prioritize my life to where I can make the choices I need to for me. In return, I'll feel better about myself because I will be better. This will no doubt carry over into my family, and they mean the world to me.

I hope you follow me on my journey. The challenge is 12 weeks long, and I will offically start on Monday. So, this weekend, I will not work out. I will not count calories, or drink gallons of water. This weekend I will clear my mind of negativity and be prepared to start my new adventure when Monday rolls around. Hey, Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday. He had a dream. Guess what? I do too! My dream is to be healthy, happy, and satisfied with myself.

If you're interested in finding out more about EAS, and the Body-For-Life Challenge, please visit www.bodyforlife.com today.