Year One

Sometime in the past week was my one year anniversary on this site. When I started I didn't exactly know what my goals were. I knew I felt awful just about each and every day. I knew I needed to lose a bunch of weight, exercise, and eat better. I also knew that I was tired of trying to "diet" without seeing any results. Like a lot of you this site has changed my life. I was caught in a cycle of exercising without adjusting my diet or limiting my calories without knowing how many calories I should/ shouldn't eat. Then not exercising because I had no energy.

Knowing how many calories I should be eating every day to lose weight compared to how many calories I was actually eating was eye opening to say the least. Even days when I thought I was doing ok I actually wasn't at all! This site has finally allowed me to balance out my exercise goals with the calorie goals I need in order to lose weight. Thirty seven pounds down and in better condition than I've been in since my early 20's feels pretty darn good!

I no longer feel lethargic every single day. Part of that is the stress reduction from exercise that allows me to sleep better. I look forward to going out for a run or hitting the weights at the gym. I crave fruits and veggies. I think I'm turning into a healthy person!

I'm not at my goal weight yet and that's ok. I'm getting there and I did it my way. I've actually lost more weight already than I had dreamed of when I started! I admire the people who lost all the weight they wanted to lose in just a few months. My process has been slower and I'm ok with that. I still indulge in all of the foods (and drinks) I love. Only now I enjoy them in moderation.

My goals have also changed. Its no longer about the weight on the scale (entirely) My body image is slowly changing. I am starting to believe I am thin now. The mental change may be harder than the physical one! Now I want to be fit more than I want to be thin. I want to have the best body I can have. I am looking forward to challenging my body in the future to become fitter and more athletic.

Losing weight is a goal with a definite endpoint. I don't plan on ending anything! Its not about "losing" or "maintaining" either. I know now that there is no endpoint to living a healthy lifestyle. The goal then becomes improvement. . We've all gone through amazing transformations. Don't you want to see how far you can take it?

I know I do.