Because I'm Worth it!

I am about to embark on the final week of the Health and Fitness Challenge I have been participating in with my friend Evelyn and all of my other new friends. I am a little sad about the challenge ending. This challenge was about more than loosing weight it has been about forming healthy habits that can become a way of life. I'm a little worried because I'm not sure that I can keep it up!

For most of the challenge I did really well. I drank at least 64 ounces of water every day, didn't eat after 9:00pm, ate 3 servings of vegetables and 2 of fruit every day. Didn't eat sweets or treats and exercised at least 30 minutes every day! I was feeling good, feeling strong. But after not seeing any weight loss after a week of working hard I felt discouraged and this last week fell back into old habits, I didn't do the things that I should be doing, not just for this challenge, but for the life style that I want to lead!

Since this is the final week I plan to push it hard and do my very best, I don't think I have much of a chance to win (there is a pretty hefty reward) but I feel like if I finish strong and give it my all I will have fewer regrets.

I know that living in the world that we do, and loving desserts as much as I do, there is no way that I can have a perfect diet or even a perfect exercise record all of the time. But I want to do what I can to be healthy and maintain at least some level of fitness.

So, I've thought about where I want to be and what I want to accomplish as far as my health is concerned:

1. I want to have enough energy to play with my kids. They deserve a healthy, active Mom who will go out and play catch, kick a soccer ball, jump on the trampoline and ride bikes! (To reach this goal I plan to put myself to bed earlier and find time in my day to exercise - building up strength and endurance so it will be there when I need it!)

2. I want to provide my family with healthy meals at least 5 nights a week. (Which for me means better planning and more grocery trips.)

3. I want to loose another 30 pounds to be at my "goal weight" and fit into the clothes that I've been hanging on to. (I want to be proud of the girl I see in the mirror, a little self-centered? Maybe, but I think I'm worth it!)

BEFORE:

Just as a point of reference: This picture was taken February 21, 2003 - my awesome roommate Meijn and I bought these silly pants at TJ Maxx. We wore them on their "maiden voyage" to a young single adult dance at ISU where I met my husband. Yeah, we were pretty cool.

NOW:

Here is a more recent picture. Taken March 25, 2013 at my Grandmother's funeral. This is my fabulous sister and I, yeah, she's a lot of fun.

I feel like the last 10 years have not been very kind to me, my body in particular. But that's what being married and having 5 kids will do to a person. It's time that I reclaimed this body! Chocolate does not own me! AND I am worth it!

This may be the end of an 8 week Health and Fitness Challenge, but it just can't be the end! I want to continue forming healthy habits and making them just that, HABITS! I want to be healthy not only for me, but so that I can be the best me for all of those who need ME!