I Have Improved On __________

These days I am disappointed when I have to take my car somewhere (for instance when I go to pick up a giant bag of dog food or kitty litter). I walk almost everywhere now, not only because I push myself to do it because it's good for me, but because I actually really enjoy it! I never would have predicted that a year ago.

Patience. Especially. Next month I would have been going at this journey for 3 years. In the beginning I would be mad if I didn't get something right the first shot or so but now I am able to embrace that everything is a learning experience.

Endurance and getting a little stronger. Last year I would jog around the park and it was difficult to do a lap. I also did not have the upper arm strength to climb a tree. By the end of the fall I could jog around the park once and a half and climb the tree!

Recently I challenged myself again to see if I could do it because I did not jog outside over winter but did cardio and interval training inside. The day was beautiful for the first time yesterday so I went for a jog outside. To my surprise I can still do it! Now I just have to push myself a little more this summer.

I have improved on walking. I can walk an hour...and do hills...and keep up the pace! When I started a month ago, thirty minutes was the best I could do, and even that involved a lot of huffing and puffing.

I have improved on resisting temptation. I can watch other people eat desert, and really be bothered, except for occasions when I know my daily calorie intake can handle a few bites of a treat! My sweet tooth is minimized.

I have improved on trusting my body. A month ago, I'd have answered "yes" pretty much any time someone asked if I was hungry. Now I know when I'm hungry. And I don't eat when I'm not. And I know when I'm full. And when I'm thirsty. It's surprising.

Everything fitness related. I can do boy style pushups about 50% of the time where I could barely do 3 girl style when I started. I can hold my planks longer and do them on my toes half the time. The weights I use are heavier. My squats are deeper. I actually was able to do triceps dips the other night. I can run short distances with out my knees hurting. We were doing sprints yesterday and I think I actually felt my heels hit my butt I was pushing myself so hard. I'm no longer scared to try new exercises - we recently got tractor tires to use and the first session we used them everyone else was skeptical to try flipping them and I just sauntered right up and was like "I've got this". I feel better and have a much brighter outlook on life. I'm more comfortable sleeping. My back doesn't hurt if I lay on it instead of my side or stomach.

Fiber intake, and realizing how many calories I was really eating ( no wonder I gained that weight. 3k a day because of my unhealthy snacks?!! Holy crap!)

I have improve on strength. We are remodeling our kitchen and I was able to carry some of the cabinets in by myself.

I have gotten rid of almost all of my old clothes
I no longer have as many problems with my back or my knee
I have more energy
I used to never workout, now I feel guilty if I don't
I am using my measuring cups and spoons a lot more
Each time I do a squat I can go down farther. When I first started I couldn't go that low.
I'm drinking more water
I no longer watch tv with an entire bag of chips by my side

1) The choices I make in eating. Definite WIN. I feel better and I never get a sick tummy anymore because I don't eat a lot of dairy or sugars anymore.
2) I almost never get tired while riding horses anymore (I ride dressage, my HRM says I burn about 300 cals for a half hour:happy: )
And 3) My increase in weights at the gym! I LOVE weight lifting and i love when I can come back the next week and use heavier weights :happy:

I now have the resting heart rate of an athlete.