Progress

About 6 weeks ago, I decided that I wanted to try running. It's never been something that I enjoyed doing, but after seeing so many infographics about it, I thought I should give it a shot.

[source]

I started by going to the 3 mile track on post and I was just happy to get around the whole thing without passing out. I mostly walked. I jogged a few times, I didn't run. But most importantly, I didn't give up. I kept up with my time, and tried again. And again. I invested in a jogging stroller so that pushing my daughter would be a little easier. Every time I saw a difference in my time, it motivated me to go again. Each time, I've jogged a little more. More recently, I've been switching between going to the 3 mile track and running on the treadmill at the gym. I feel like the treadmill gives me confidence that I don't yet have at the track. I actually run on the treadmill. I jog, too, but I barely walk. I push myself to the limits, and it's helping increase my endurance and stamina. I can now run several minutes [on the treadmill] without stopping. I've gone from doing a 18 minute mile to a 13 minute mile. That's what hard work and dedication can do, y'all. I'm not done, though. My goal is to be able to run 3 miles without slowing below a jog the entire time. As of now, after mile 2 I start to get sluggish. I know this is going to take a lot of work, but I'm all in. I'm ready for the day that I can do a 5k in 36 minutes.

What are some of your fitness goals?

My Journey

A couple of months ago, I wrote about finding out that I have [had?] high cholesterol. Since then, I've been on this mission to get healthy. Even before then, I had been losing weight, but had hit a plateau.

This is my journey.

A few weeks ago, I posted my one and only progress picture on Instagram. I was nervous, and a little embarrassed, but I did it. And I'm so glad I did! I got so much motivation from my friends, it was slightly overwhelming.

Left: 6/18/2012 The day I decided to stop hating the way I looked & felt. I had to take a picture because I knew at some point I'd need a reminder of where I came from & where I'm never going to be again. Right: 8/13/2013 14 months of hard work, changing my eating habits, a few relapses. I'm still a work in progress, but I'm happy with how far I've come & excited for where I'm going.

The best part, though? When one of my dear friends messaged me to tell me that I have inspired her. During my journey I have hit a lot of 'relapses'. From trying to go completely soda free, to drinking a 32 ounce every day for a week. From trying to go sugar free, to stopping by McDonalds every day to get chocolate chip cookies. One step forward, 500 calories back. I've had my high points and my low points, but I wouldn't have gotten where I am without having other people to help me [whether they know they're helping or not]. Over the past 14 months, I have scoured the internet. I spent numerous hours on pinterest finding health and fitness blogs, new/healthy recipes. I did a lot of research on calorie counting. I've tried various workouts, I've even bought a few things to help me along the way. My blog, for now at least, will be turned over to my health and fitness journey. I will be posting healthy recipes, no matter how simple or complex. I will be posting pictures, reviewing products, & sharing tips and tricks that keep me going. For all of the motivation I've been given, I want to give back. If I can help inspire or motivate even one person, I will be happy.

Goal Update

A little over 3 months ago, I posted a list of goals I was hoping to accomplish by the end of the year. I did it as a way to hold myself accountable. If I had people asking about my goals, maybe I wouldn't give up on them. So here is a quick update:

-Lose 10lbs 
As of today, I'm down 8lbs & feeling so good about myself! I know I can reach this goal!
-Make at least 2 garments for myself that I will actually wear! 
I haven't actually made myself anything, yet. But I've been getting ideas on Pinterest.
-Make a quiet book for Adelei 
Same as above! Maybe I should stop pinning and get busy? 
-Start couponing more seriously 
I'm still working on this. I DO coupon, just not 'seriously'. I don't leave the store saving more than I spend. But the lovely Sara just sent me two 'how to' books, so hopefully soon I will.
-Try 1 new recipe per week 
Absolutely! I've been meaning to blog about my new adventures in the kitchen, but I always think about it after I get done eating. Oops!
-Blog daily [not including weekends] 
I've decided that this isn't really realistic for me at this point in my life. Maybe if the blogger app on my phone didn't suck, but I don't have a lot of time to myself during the day, and when I do, 72% of the time I don't feel like blogging. 
-Create my own button/header, etc...revamp blog 
DONE! 5/9/12
-Create Adelei's 1st year scrapbook
No progress. It's still packed up.
-Create & maintain bill/budget notebook 
DONE! 6/12
-Exercise daily 
Yikes! This one varies. I try to exercise daily. But sometimes it just doesn't happen. Usually I get it done when the baby is napping, but sometimes this Momma needs a nap, too!
-Start taking vitamins 
I'm not going to lie, I totally forgot about this until just now.
-Establish a health/beauty routine & stick with it 
I'm not really sure where I was going with this? But for health, I've started eating so much better/healthier & I exercise [usually] 5 days a week. As for the beauty part....I go days [sometimes even a week+] without doing anything with my hair or putting on makeup. I'm some what crunchy.

So there you have it. I'm hoping the next 4 months are as equally [or more] productive as the last 3.

Don't forget about my giveaway!
Also, check out my sister's shop. She's giving away a children's outfit!

Tell them that she's not scared

Remember last week when I said that I was going to make myself read at least 30 minutes a day?

Well, it worked. Some days I even got sucked in and read for an hour or two. I actually finished one book and am about 80 pages into another one already.

My new goal is to exercise at least 30 minutes a day. It sounds good, in theory...but don't hold your breath, okay? haha

So far we have 6 people signed up for the Blogger Mail Swap. That's a good start, but it would be more fun with more people. Tell all your friends!

And today, I'll leave you with lyrics that are touching my heart this week:

& I'm twenty three & invincible
Got the world figured out
& the bird on my shoulders
Told me everything's gonna be all right
When is everything gonna be all right?