Starting Fresh…
Today is DAY 1 of a new journey.
Over the past year I have gained {{a lot}} of weight and today is the first day of getting back to where I want to be. Of course, this is my crafty blog but from time to time I will be posting some updates, ideas, etc. I guess you can consider yourself warned.
I’m not quite ready to put my personal numbers out there, and don’t know if I ever will be. Goals…2-3 sizes {I’m curvy, so this is often my biggest challenge} and 32 pounds. In addition…strength, confidence and a better way of thinking about food.
Are ya with me? I need some cheerleaders!! 
I’m with you! I’ve struggled for the past 2 years with weight, and every time I get back out there I get hit with kidney stones or something random. I’m going to do some home exercises right now. . .you can do it, Jen! I’m with you!
Jen you got this I am with you as well. I have been training for a half marathon and I am 340lbs right now. I have been slowly working on this I will be walking the 1/2 but the point is I am doing. I just hit my longest walk yet over the weekend I did 8.05 miles and it took me 2hrs. and 32min.. I have until April to be ready to do the 1/2 I have 4hrs and 30min. to do it in. I started small first goal was a 5K then I went for another and next thing I knew I had done four of them and was getting ready for a 10K. I have now done five 5K’s and one 10K I am signed up for a 10K in Feb. and the Half in April.
reflections:0)
I’ve struggled my entire life with weight, and am just starting back at trying to get healthy. Good for you for starting this journey - good luck!
(I usually blog at hanwayink.com but linked up my new fitness-ish blog for you instead :))
You go girl!! One day at a time. As Jillian says “its the difference between calories in and calories out”. Just recovering from six months of plantar fasciitis which totally messed up my “fit and firm at 50″ year so going to go for fit and firm at 51 instead LOL!
Woo hoo!! You can do it Jen!!!
I have been on this journey myself the past several months. It’s not easy but hard work and dedication do pay off!
Best of luck to you as you start fresh!!
YOU CAN DO IT!!!! I started my journey to get healthy last January & I’m so much happier. I lost 45 lbs, I’m eating much healthier, gave up soda and I workout at least 5 days a week. It’s a lifestyle now. You can totally do this!
you go girl!! what are you doing? fill me in, sister! I may want to try it too!!
I’m a fellow curvy girl who needs to drop about 40lbs. before Sept. 2013, when our Son is getting married! I do not want to be that fat mom in the wedding pictures, plus I need to do it to feel better all around! I’ve struggled with weight all of my adult life and am so ready to get started! I would love to hear what you’re doing, my biggest struggle is getting bored with meals. Love to cook, it’s just coming up with the meal ideas that I have trouble with! It’s always nice to have encouragement from others going through the same thing!
You can do it!!! I’ll be joining you soon! I dropped about 18 pounds earlier this year but it’s slowly creeping up again. I used a website called “lose it!” (free app, too) to track my food and exercise. It was a great tool! Good luck!!!
You can do this!! I’m right there with you!! I gained 38 lbs when I quit smoking. The additional weight is stressing my joints and exacerbating a previous injury to my right hip and knee. And, as a cancer survivor it’s insane for me to be carrying a lot of excess weight (fat cells store toxins). This summer, I started walking 3-4 times a week and last month I added free weight workouts at the Y. Oh, and like Pat, I’ve started using the Lose It app on my iPhone. Congratulations - you’ve already taken the first step!
Hi Jen,
YES, you can do it!!!!
I too am a fellow curvy girl and I am going to be joining you with the weight loss. I shall be very keen to follow your progress so please do share, good and bad….
Huge hugs and positive thoughts coming your way from me in the UK.
Luv Lynne
xxx
Go for it girl! I salute you for starting your project. Keep with your schedule at Christmas too
Woo Hoo!! You can do it! I read your blog for crafty inspiration, and will look forward to sharing inspiration on getting healthy! Thanks for sharing - it helps to have accountability for goal
right there with ya! Sunday a friend & I started our journey together. Good Luck!
Yeah! I’ll be cheering you on as I started today too. I’m working on the Body by Vi shakes along with trying to work out a bit more. I didn’t set an unobtainable goal, but one that I thought would be realistic and once I hit that goal I’ll set another one.
Best of luck girl, you can do it!
Good for you Jen! I’ll be glad to be one of your cheerleaders! You can do it!
I’m on that same path. Finally got a personal trainer to help me with core (which I had none) and strength. I want to loose 25 lbs. I’ve been at it for a month. Eating healthier, limited sugar and no processed food.. No wheat products or white rice. I can eat sweet potatoes and brown rice. I do let myself have things at our family Sunday dinner. That way I don’t feel deprived. Of course all the fruit and veggies I can handle. Good luck!
Good for you. Have to do it for yourself and no one else. You go girl.
Wooo! Go Jen!
I need some motivation… baby is 8 months…. i’ve not shifted a lb!
xxx
Good for you! I hit that point in April when I thought “What am I doing?” Anyhow, with some focus I have lost 30 pounds and have been able to keep them off so far. I can’t believe how much better I feel. I’ll help cheer you on and hopefully it will help me to loose a few more pounds.
I, too, will be starting a lifestyle change beginning the first of the year. I commend you for starting before the Christmas holiday!! I’ve been struggling with my weight over the years and have to get “serious” about it. I’m wishing you great success on your journey!
Good for you! Everyone will give you advice, so I hope this isn’t a repeat: my hubby and I decided a couple of years ago to change our habits so that we would be healthier - basically regular exercise and a slight change in eating habits. Our plan for food? Buy smaller dinner plates (ours were really big!) and Don’t eat it if it doesn’t agree with you. My hubby can eat dairy, no problem. I can’t - I gain wait and stay uncomfortable. So just figure out what works for you and concentrate on healthy…. not necessarily numbers
Woot Woot I added some padding to my butt this year. You go girl
100%–You go girl!
Good for you and good luck! About 5 years ago I lost 50 lbs. I read You: On a Diet and it really made sense to me. I’ve been successful in keeping the weight off! I also drink Shakeology shakes for lunch now and it’s like having a chocolate ice cream shake everyday!
You’ll do fine because it seems you are mentally ready. That’s really all it takes!
My daughter Janice has a blog you might be interested in:
http://fitnesscheerleader.com/
Anna
Hi Jen–You can do it! I am on the same journey. A tool that may help you is called “www.myfitnesspal.com”–essentially it is a way to keep a food diary that is easy to use. I started using that alone the Saturday after Christmas–it may me painfully aware of my carbohydrate addiction. It is worth trying.
You have my blessings & support, Jen - I know EXACTLY how you feel. Sometimes, as mums & wives, we are so busy taking care of others that we neglect to take care of ourselves. Well, no longer … this is YOUR time to shine!!! You GO GIRL!!!
You know I’m with you all the way! As you know I’m trained in this area and I *adore* you so here is my advice…start your exercise routine but don’t over commit, just start with 2 x per week and build up from there. If you are a night snack person stop eating past 7pm and you’ll find you have more energy in the morning and the weight will start to drop off :o) Sometimes it’s easier said then done but once you get started it will just become a way of life and not feel so difficult. Cheering you on! Look forward to your updates! xx
Please DO share - I NEED motivation! My meds work against me in the weight-loss area and I am 71, so - 2 strikes against me in the battle.
You go, Good luck on your challenge. I want to lose weight to but am so lazy! Gotta get off the couch and out of the kraft room ( i mean me).
I wish you lots of luck!
I LOVE that you are not starting at the new year, that you are starting in the hardest part of the year, and that you are sharing! I always believe that this part of the year can be fun and festive without being overindulgent! GOOD FOR YOU! Have fun and remember your dont have to give up everything, it’s unrealistic! It’s all about the right proportions and allow a cheat every now and then. Good luck! I LOVE your blog too, thanks for all your inspiration!
I am with you Jen, I too struggle with weight and sure no matter our sizes we have issues. I hope you find the will power and strength to carry on. Those are my challenges is to have will power. i hate that I give in to temptations and with the holidays it’s so in your face. Good luck and I will be doing my best to get a handle on it. You getting it out there in public more or less is a great tool for you. Hugs
I will be happy to be one of your cheerleaders. After losing 103 lbs. and keeping it off for a few years now is the best thing I ever did. I am so much healthier and happy!! My secret is to get away from the food and chat with one of my buddies!!! I love to listen to books on tape so that helps during exercise time. Mainly, learn what makes you nearly fill, and weigh and measure… Also, record what you eat. It really helps to see it….especially the times you eat..I know my trigger time is 4 pm..
Good luck and stay motivated. I wish you perseverance and good health! Remember, only you make that happen.
I lost 43 libs and have kept it off untl pregnancy, but did lose the 70+ lbs gained. I had my own frig shelf. Once I ate my daily portions I stopped or only ate “free” food & beverages (black coffee). Went from a size 16 to size 6. Eating out is another story which I will share another time. You can do it!! You already made the most important choices…1. the decision to loss weight 2. telling people you are changing your eating habits. Remember YOU CONTROL WHAT YOU EAT!! Positive thoughts are being sent to you and urround you!!
Good for you Jen! I restarted my own journey last year at this time. My goal was to lose 10% of my weight. It might seem a modest amount to some but that was 17 lbs for me and I struggled at times. Well, I am happy to say I reached that goal on November 12. My keys to success - slowly increasing my daily exercise from 1/2 an hour to 1 hour (reading while biking really helps) and keeping a food/exercise journal. There are loads of mobile apps or websites that can help with that - free of charge - if that sort of thing appeals to you! If you are ever interested in knowing which one I used - feel free to drop me an email! Wishing you tremendous success on achieving your goals!
Jen: You can totally do this. I have been working over the last couple of weeks to make better decisions. I lost 1 pound a week for 2 of the weeks & then last week just maintained but was ok with that since I had been under the weather & so was my son. I try to eat a couple of better things during the day, park the car a little further away from the stores. Keep us updated. We will help to keep you on the right track. I started posting on my Facebook & have a bunch of cheerleaders helping me along. It takes time to put our bodies back to where we want them to be. Good luck. You can do it!
You can do it! We are all here cheering you on.
Jen this is a challenge where you have already won the first step…making the decision to change. I wish you all the best and I will keep you in my prayers.
Jen - you are still a beautiful person but I am definitely with you. I lost 94 lbs a few years ago and did not embrace the eating habits that helped me lose weight. SO, I am right there with you and ready to cheer you on - it is a good motivator to have cheeleaders.
Jen, I know you can do it! That’s awesome that you’re determined to meet your goals. I need to get back into shape too. Not just to look better but to feel better too. I get winded just going up and down the stairs some days
Not cool. I wish the best of luck in your journey and I look forward to your updates!!!
Wishing you lots of luck!!!
I am in a constant battle with my weight and will be joining you on your journey
I am with you all the way. Congratulations for taking the first step. I started in March of this year and by August I had lost 45 pounds and went from squeezing out of a 14 to a 10 being too big at times. I have never felt so good and so proud of something with the exception of my children of course. The first couple of weeks will be the hardest but just keep your mind on your goal. Good luck and if you have any questions at all just drop me an email!!!!
Kudos to you, Jen. Losing weight and adopting a healthy lifestyle is hard work. Throw in the holidays and a couple of kids and it really is a challenge. Then again, if you can do pretty well through the holidays, you start the new year knowing full well that you can do this. Celebrate every victory through this food laden season. And, yes, definitely plan non-food rewards for hitting the milestones you set for yourself.
Good luck and I am routing for your success!