And So It Begins...

So you're here.  I'm glad.  I invited you and you clicked the link...you may have no interest in what I plan to write about and that's totally fine...but you might so stick around for awhile...I've wanted to blog for a  long time but was always afraid I would put too much of 'me' out there...and we all know I can be too much.  :) 

Over the last six months, I have literally begun changing the blueprint of my life, the physical blueprint of my health, that is.  I had to make a decision that I want to live a long life and not die because I am not taking good care of myself.  At 30 years old and 285 pounds, something had to give.  I was a ticking time bomb and really felt like it.  It was difficult to give my little girl a bath, even.  Walking to the car was a challenge.  I feel compelled to share my experiences around losing weight, exercise, and the emotional roller coaster it has been and will be.  Because its not just about food, you see.  For me, overeating was the symptom of everything else that was wrong in my head, and in my heart.

I plan to share my ups and downs ~ the ones I've already experienced in this journey and the ones I will experience as time passes.  I hope someone can find encouragement and information, and that putting myself out there will allow someone to connect and realize that anyone and I mean anyone can get healthy and lose weight on their own without shakes, pills and empty diet plan promises.  Without cutting out an entire food group or stuffing their faces with cabbage or juice for weeks on end.  You can lose weight by eating, believe it or not.  If I can, trust me, anyone can.

I have learned that you don't have to swear off brownies forever to lose weight, be healthier and change your physical blueprint.  I am living proof of this and this blog will tell you about my journey, how it began in August of 2009 and where I am headed.  

Right now I should be wallowing in self-pity about a recent avulsion fracture to my left ankle.  I'm in a cast up to my knee and will not be able to do my workouts or running training for a few months now. Yea, I am sad that I won't be able to work out for awhile...but in the big picture, this is a temporary setback.  What I'm realizing is that my eating habits have changed enough that I will not gain weight back through this setback.  I will reach my weight loss goals.  I will regain strength and endurance with time.  And I will run a 5K before 2010 is over.

I will blog the whole back story soon.  In the meantime, I will leave you with this thought: every day we make choices either for or against our health.  I hope if you choose to read this blog and are in great health already that you can cheer me on in my journey...or if you aren't in great health and you're reading this (and you aren't related to me - ha) it means that you are considering choosing your health and your life above any other choices that might get in your way.  I know what I'm choosing...

Progress!

~Clara