Yesterday was weigh in day and I was excited to get on the scale, I know odd to say the least... In the past I have avoided the scale as if it was the plague.  However; this time it is so different, I am more committed than I have ever been in the past, mainly because I have put eating healthy and exercising together.  I know it is possible to lose weight by one or the other but when I put the two together I am seeing real results.  This week I ramped up my walking by doing longer stretches, one day I walked for an hour to get to my doctors appointment and then I walked home... another day I walked 6 miles throughout the day and on two of the walks I included sprints that really got my heart rate up.  Mostly I just pushed myself to go up hills at a very steady pace and I chose routes that challenged me.

I think back to six weeks ago and how I had avoided walking anywhere, I took the bus whenever I could or I would take a taxi... I didn't have money for a taxi but I spent the money anyhow...The only cabs I take now are for when I get groceries as there is no way to actually carry the food home. The great thing now is that I don't just grab a bus to get somewhere either, I will walk as often as I can now... I still buy a bus pass as I need to get back and forth to work each day, unfortunately walking both ways is not an option for me as it is a great distance away. However; I don't use having the bus pass as an excuse not to walk, I find I think less and less about using it when I need to get somewhere.  I love how I have changed my thoughts when it comes to exercise and let me tell you I feel awesome.

So, Friday morning was rainy, I got to work early and dropped all my stuff off at my desk... I walked down to the scale and hopped on... I didn't look down immediately, I knew I had done the work to lose weight but I also knew that it doesn't always show up on the scale, sometimes it is just in how your clothing feels on you... After about 10-15 seconds I looked down and I was so thrilled to see that I had lost 4 pounds, that is awesome for me... I am six weeks into this lifestyle change, I turned 50 this week and I still lost 4 pounds in one week.  For everyone who says it is harder, you are right, it is harder, I have to work at more than someone who is in their 20's-30's... I happen to think the work is worth it for the results that have happened... I have now lost 22.8 pounds in six weeks, that leaves me about another 60 pounds I want to lose which I think is quite doable by June of 2014. It may even happen before than but I am giving myself plenty of time for when I may plateau or gain muscle as I plan to add in some strength training that I think is a necessity when losing weight.  As well, I received a wonderful opportunity from a blogger I spoke about recently, Janice... she sent me a link for some coaches that are going to help me and others prepare to run a 5K.  Am I nervous?  You bet I am... I sprint a little here and there but nothing long term, yet I am going to take this challenge on, I will run a 5K in the next little while... I had planned to run one for the new year but this may happen earlier.

With my commitment to becoming healthy I see that I am not able to blog each and every day but I could never give up writing as it is one of those things that centers me and helps me to get all my feelings out... I probably just won't be as consistent and that will have to be okay... I am making me a priority right now, which I think each of us needs to do.  If I don't make myself a priority, I will not be good for anyone else.  Also, I haven't written about my David as much but he is always on my mind, we text each other usually daily to keep in contact.  He's on vacation right now but I am certain when he gets home we will chat more regularly and then of course he will be home for Christmas.  I am really looking forward to that, I miss just sitting and talking with him for hours about everything and anything... he knows I am losing the weight as I catch him up each week but I am not going to let him see me until he gets home, I am sure it will be shocking as I can tell the difference myself with it almost being 23 pounds.

After Christmas, I will post a before and after photo in the blog so everyone can see the difference... For the people who have never seen me, other than the head shots I put up here.  I will tell you that I am an hour glass shape (albeit a large hour glass), most of my weight is directly on my hips and thighs.  The first place I lose weight is my face and then my tummy (I really need to firm up there).  The last place I lose weight is my hips.  I didn't start measuring until almost 3 weeks ago so I can only go from there but in 2 weeks I had lost 3 and 1/2 inches from my waist and only 1 inch from my hips... I do find that I am losing off my thighs due to all the walking.  Saying all this, I know that even my hips will have to give up the weight eventually as I don't plan to give up this healthy lifestyle.

I am grateful for the changes I have made and for the consistent way I am living them... if I can do this, anyone can.... I am now 50 years old, I have travel time to work of anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the buses, connections and walking.  I am a mama to my Valentina and I blog, even if I am not writing every day, I am constantly catching up with everyone's blogs that I follow...  This is doable, it takes a change in your thought patterns, it takes desire and it takes a can do attitude when times are rough...
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