Day one, Feb 5th, 2011

I think most people realize at some point in their lives that it is time to make a change. I have done it many time, changed jobs, changed homes, changed cities....even changed husbands....lol!! But this time the change that needs to come is HEALTH! And I pray that with this healthier life style, will come weight loss. I am far from my all time high, but also far from my body's optimum health. I seem to have lost and gained the same 10 pounds several times over the last year. It's time for a change, not a crazy fad diet aimed at loosing 100 pounds in 6 months, but a logical, reasonable change that targets everything, not just the food! And I am not the only one in my home that needs to find health. My husband has been slowly gaining weight over the last couple of years......we are killing ourselves with food! So the time has come....time to eat healthier, move more, and change our goals and outlook.......change is now!

So where do I begin? I began by getting on the scale this morning...and I was not happy with the number looking back at me! And I think I am going to overcome a HUGE fear right now and actually put down in writing the number......228.4! I have not told ANYONE my weight in at least 20 years, so hurdle one is done. A little history.....I was at my all time high about 6 yrs ago(268) and reached my lowest adult weight of 216, about 4 years ago. I have not seen numbers under 200 in at least 20 years!! So I think the first goal I will set for myself will be to get under that elusive 200 mark! I cannot even imagine seeing my weight starting with a "1"....lol!!

So where do I go from here? FOOD! Food is one of my biggest hurdles....I love it! I am a true foodie....love to watch the food network, love to cook and try out new recipes, love to sample new restaurants, food is the way I comfort myself, food is one of the ways I show love. So now I feel that food needs to take a step back, it is time that food becomes for me what it truly should be....fuel for the body. I will always love to cook, but now I need to move that cooking in a new direction. But I realize that if I change too much to fast that I will fail, and my family will freak! So I am going to start with little things, NO frying, more veggies, less starch....little things, but BIG for us. I refuse to make a list of BAD things, my goal is to find more healthy ways to make the things we love, and slowly introduce new things into our diet.

Where and when to MOVE? The second major hurdle is exercise, not very high on my list of enjoyable things to do. I think I am going to start with simple walking. I am so out of shape if I went to a class or the gym I would probably have a heart attack.....lol!! My goal is to MOVE more everyday. So put on the sneakers and get walking. I know it is going to be hard to keep myself motivated, and I hope to pick up some help along the way. I think if I had a walking buddy I will be more likely to keep going.

So why a blog? I need to make myself accountable to something. I need a way to track my progress...weight loss, healthy eating, and exercise. I need a community watching, cheering, helping me along this path. I need others who want similar goals to join in. I want to record the new healthy recipes I try. I want to be able to look back a year from now and see just how far I have come!

So here we are, Day 1, 228.4 lbs, and healthy shopping has been done.....time to get moving!