Something that makes me feel hopeful

We have all heard plenty about the obesity epidemic in the United States. All you have to do is look around in a public place to see why it’s a valid concern. It’s everywhere.

However, I saw something the other day that made me feel more hopeful on this front . . . and made me determined to teach my future children when such day comes that I have them.

I was at the gym working out the other night. This is something I value and am trying hard to make a priority because I know how important it is.

Anyway, I watched as three different families came into the gym. Two men were definitely brothers and looked similar enough they could’ve even been twins. I loved seeing the dads go over to the treadmills to take a run, while their boys (who looked to be teenagers) went over and started playing basketball.

Another mom and dad were diligently walking around the walking track and when they finished, I saw all three of their kids come over, having been exercising while their parents walked. And then they left together.

It made me so happy to see these parents not only exercising themselves but also teaching it to their children. I hope they realize at some point how invaluable this is to them. It’s amazing how the things we learn as children stay with us when we become adults.

I’m not being idealistic; I know that a few families exercising at the gym won’t fix the obesity problem. But for every one person who understands living an active life, it’s one less person who will struggle with this problem . . . and can hopefully pass it on.

Isn’t that something to feel happy about? I sure think so.

The 31-Day Sugar Challenge

The time has come to take drastic measures again. And guess what that means? Yup, for the entire month of March (and into April too if I can handle it), I will not be partaking of any sugars, save only the natural variety. Yes, I know that it's in virtually everything so i can't get away from it completely, but I can sure avoid quite a few calories by staying away from the blatant versions of it, i.e. desserts, etc.

I want to be healthier, and quite honestly I've been overindulgent during my birth month. It hasn't affected me quite as much as it could have, but I'm terrified of going that direction so I decided it was time to manage the situation in the best way I could. That means giving up dessert for the next 31 days, and I know that I can do it!

A lot of my reasons for doing this have to do with being healthier and continuing to lose weight, but the other part of it is to prove to myself that I can. I did it last May, which is also 31 days, and a few times it felt like I was surely going to wither away from lack of sugar, but I did not. Not only was I stronger for it, but it seriously cut down on the sugar I consumed in the months that followed. I've tried to repeat this two other times since and keep failing, so it's time to prove to myself that I can.

Wish me luck in this endeavor! Sorry you have to share in this, but I need the accountability that writing in my blog provides, so you get to be involved vicariously. Isn't that fun?! :)

Good-bye sugar, hello healthier me!

The time has come to take drastic measures once again. And today those drastic measures would be. . . giving up sugar for a month, once again. (With the exception of Thanksgiving, which will be my official cheat day.)

I've been doing really great with weight loss in the last few months. I haven't really talked about it here because I didn't feel comfortable doing so, but today I'm going to open up and talk about it. I was doing great over the summer, eating more healthfully, cutting down on my sugar intake and exercising quite a bit.

However, my progress has stalled in the last couple of months. In September it was because I wasn't careful enough with my eating, even though I was still getting a good amount of exercise.

Last month it had to do with finding it an extremely busy schedule and not being able to find time to fit it in. Commuting shaves an extra hour off the time I have available each night. I know that I willingly made the choice to move so far, but having that extra hour gone is still hard. The problem is that it gets dark so stinkin' early, and I was enjoying utilizing the Jordan River Parkway, which is only a short distance from where I live. That is until a friend from my ward begged me not to go on it anymore, especially by myself. So now I'm not sure where to go to exercise, it's colder outside and it's just about dark by the time I get home.

I know, excuses, excuses, but it's the truth.

But, I set a goal for myself some time ago, and I fully intend to reach it. I may have temporarily lost sight of it, but now it's in front of my eyes again, and I'm going for it! This means somehow I have to a) find somewhere I can exercise for an affordable price, b) find the time to exercise and c) get back on the healthy eating wagon. I know it isn't going to be easy, but I'm committed. I'm determined to see this through, starting with giving up sugar. Wish me luck!

One more bit of exciting news

Okay, I was not intending to do this post, but again, I'm feeling excited so I have to post it before the excitement fades. And there's that whole accountability factor too.

A few months ago I wrote in here about the Biggest Loser competition I'm participating in at work. It's been great for me because it's helped me to make better choices in the food I eat and has encouraged me to become a more regular gym attender. And the work is paying off because I feel like I'm starting to look better and, most importantly, I'm feeling better about myself. Honestly, I think that's the most significant change I've experienced from participating in this competition. Having a positive view of yourself is a powerful thing, and it's been so long since I've felt anything close to that.

Anyway, we still have a month left to go, but today was the 60-day unofficial weigh in. I didn't feel I could have possible made much progress because of my birthday and going home to my parents' house twice (where it's very difficult to eat healthfully) and because exercise has been a bit more difficult to come by lately. I was shocked when I discovered I lost 6 pounds! How in the world did that happen? But apparently somehow it did. I even stood on the scale a second and third time just to be sure. I guess sometimes miracles do occur. . .or all that hard work really does pay off. This brings the total weight I've lost since January up to 9 pounds. I feel pretty good about that even though I hoped to have done better.

In any case, this is a victory worth celebrating, which is why I had to share it in my blog. I have 30 more days to participate in the competition, which means that once again it's time to up my game! Vacations can be tough because it is awfully hard to eat healthfully away from home, but I'm sure I can do it! I have pretty much accepted that I don't think I'll win the competition, but at least it's helping me make positive changes in my life, and that's worth an awful lot!

I Can't Believe I'm Actually Doing This!

Here is me doing something that I thought I would never do: I'm making a public post about my goal to lose weight. I hate doing this for many reasons, but I've decided that like it or not, this time it's the real thing, and writing about it is my way of increasing my accountability!

Weight loss is something I think about constantly, especially because I know I am in such desperate need of it. I can never seem to find quite the right motivation to get myself to do it, which means it's a constant battle. I also don't have anyone that I'm accountable to for my progress. However, today I officially joined a "Biggest Loser" contest at work, even putting money in to participate, and I don't want to lose my investment, so now I'm more determined than ever! I'm ready to make a secret and strong desire a reality, and I'm going to need all the help I can get. So, between the contest and this blog post (which makes me accountable to everyone who reads this) I'm hoping that will do it. (Thanks for the inspiration, Angie! I was thinking about your post today and decided it's a perfect idea to write about it in my blog no matter how much I may be opposed to the idea.)

All I can say is that it's about time I decided that I'm really going to do this!! No more looking in the mirror and thinking how horrible I look all the time or looking at pictures from college and wishing I could be that skinny again, when really I wasn't that skinny to begin with, just more so than now. Three months from now, I'm anticipating having made some very positive changes, shaped up and worked harder than I ever have before. Wish me luck!! Yes, I will be reporting on my progress from time to time, although it might not be weekly.

Game on!!