Why?

Since April 24th, I have been attempting to live healthier, and hopefully lose 10 unwanted pounds and feel better about myself.  This may be where a lot people roll their eyes and think I don't "need" to lose 10 pounds, or they think I should be grateful it's just 10 pounds, not 20, 30, 40, or more.  For the record, I am grateful it's just 10 pounds.   I know what it's like to have to lose much more weight than this.   Actually, its easier to lose weight when there is more fat to burn.  Those last 10 pounds are the hardest! And anyone who has ever had to battle the bulge, will know this to be fact.

In all my weight losses... I have lost about 200 pounds total (4 different times, all in which included strict "dieting" and exercise).   There is no magic pill folks.  Three of those weight loss journeys was after births.  And you Mamas know ... that baby weight doesn't just magically fall off!! You have to work hard at it!

And yes, I'm writing about this 10 pound weight loss journey because I do not want my weight loss journey to end up being 20, 30, 40 pounds or more pounds.  I want to address this need now, before it snowballs to something too overwhelming.

As I stated above, I began this 10 pound battle on April 24th.  I started keeping a written food journal, and then on May 13th,  decided to use my FitBit Flex again.  This showed me how very inactive I really was.  So since then, I have been making it my personal goal to reach at least the 10k recommended steps per day, as well as stay within my personal calorie limit.  However, my FitBit stopped working as of yesterday, but that doesn't give me the excuse to take a break or give up on my goals.

This morning I DL'ed MyFitnessPal app, and this keeps track of my exercise, food intake, and weight. I also set up a NetFlix  DVD plan of my favorite fitness guru, Denise Austin.  Yes, she is quite bubbly and enthusiastic, but she somehow motivates me in the way I need it to push through the workout.  If you really know me, you know I do NOT like exercising.  Except for Martial Arts ... I like to kick, punch, and break boards, beat up punching bags and my sparring partner too, haha.

So here's the plan for DVD #1

Each work out is 10 minutes, plus 5 minute warm-up, and 5 minute cool-down.  Ultimately closing out the month of exercising with the full 50-minute video.  I've only started this today, and I pray I stay committed to completing this exercise plan.   I have only lost 2-3 pounds by eating healthier, and have come the realization (again) that I will not reach my weight and fitness goal unless I add exercise to my daily routines.

To keep it really real, cheats are a necessary component of a healthy lifestyle.  Believe me ...I've lost nearly 200 lbs. I know.  You can't always eat perfect, and there are days when exercise just isn't in the cards. And to get really, really real... This will not motivate you.  This is my journey.   There's not a motivational video out there that will actually motivate you.  The really, real motivation, is you... your "Why".  Why do you want to lose weight? Why do  you want to get in shape?  When you find that out ...that's  the motivation you need.  But thank you for reading my blog anyway.  If I helped motivate you into finding your "why", I'd love to hear about it.