I Did It!

Almost two  months ago I wrote about wanting to lose weight.  I had gained some weight after returning to work when my maternity leave was over.  Although the number on the scale was a motivating factor, I was unhappy with the way I felt.  I wanted to be healthier and more active.  I have two little boys to raise and I want my eating and exercise habits to be a good example for them.

I started out by walking and adding a little running at the end of my walk.  I decided that wasn’t doing it for me and started a Couch to 5k program.  The first two weeks went pretty good, but then I was having some difficulties with my knees.  I took a week off, started back up and have been doing great ever since.  On Friday, I will finish the program, which means that I will be running for a full 30 minutes.  Not too shabby for someone who, until a few weeks ago, hadn’t run in years.  I’m going to keep running all fall/winter and I want to start running some 5k races in the fall.

I’ve also started eating better.  Nothing terribly dramatic.  I pack my lunch most days and if I don’t, I get a grilled chicken salad (without french fries) and use fat-free dressing.  Dinners include a lot more fresh veggies and fruits than before and less carbs.  And I’ve mostly cut out the night time snacking.  I do eat some greek yogurt and nuts after I run, but I’m told I need the protein after running and it’s a healthy snack.

So where does that leave me?  Oh right, this morning I stepped on the scale.  This morning I was happy with the number.  I have officially lost 10 pounds in just under 2 months.  I weigh 30 pounds less than I did when I got pregnant with Jack almost 4 years ago.  I feel healthier, have more energy and I’m damn proud of myself.  I’ve never been someone to diet and this was truly the first time that I have ever made a true effort to lose weight.  I’m glad that I did it the right way.  No fad diets, just good old fashioned healthy eating and exercise.

Now that I’ve lost those 10 pounds, I’m motivated to keep going.  Keep running, keep eating healthy.  I still want to lose at least another 5 to 10 pounds.  I still have a long way to go to be truly “fit” but I’m making progress.

Let's celebrate with some cake!

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