CH-CH-CH-CH-CHANGES

Wow!  It's been forever since my last post!  I have some pretty good excuses though.  First, I finally got a job!  I am currently employed at Learning Express Toys.  It's like a mom and pop educational toy store.  It's super fun and makes me feel like a kid again.  I think everyone should try to feel like a kid once in a while.  It's a great starter job while I'm finishing my prerequisites for the nursing program.  Life is going well.  I feel so grateful to have a job in this poopy economy.  As for the weight loss, its been going up and down.  I guess I hit somewhat of a plateau.  I have good days and bad days when it comes to food.  I lost an additional two pounds since my last post, which puts me at 238 pounds.  I am feeling good about getting going again and losing more, not only for my self image, but also for my health.  I went to Gold's Gym yesterday and got a body assessment.  They have this crazy computer program where they enter in all of your information, figure out your body fat percentage, and create two 3D images of your body: one of how your body looks now and one of your dream body.  Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, I am in a high risk category for body fat.  Not to mention my family has a history of heart disease, stroke and cancer.  It was such an eye opener for me.  Sometimes we don't realize just how healthy or unhealthy we really are.  The assessment served as a huge motivator and I decided to join the gym!  I highly recommend Gold's Gym to anyone looking for a fitness program.  They are beautiful facilities and offer excellent prices.  I was paying twice the amount I pay now at my old gym.  Plus they offer spinning, aerobics and yoga classes, and they have a pool!  I'm really excited to get my body moving and achieve my goals.  With that scary assessment, I feel more motivated than ever.  Not only is it embarrassing to take my shirt off on the beach, but my life is at risk.  If that doesn't make the change, I don't know what will.

I'm also really excited for my sister Kristin, who is starting a fitness program as well.  She lives in Austin, Texas and enrolled in a course called Strength and Beauty.  It is a fitness program for women who want to get back in shape.  It consists of personal training sessions and a personalized nutrition plan.  After 30 days, each participant is given a new hair cut and style, and a spa treatment.  What an amazing way to boost one's confidence and give them a great head start on achieving their long-term goals. I'm so proud of her.  She raises three little boys so she truly deserves to have some time to focus on herself and kick some ass!

I haven't been to a Weight Watchers meeting in a while, but I am still tracking my food.  The meetings get to be expensive.  I finally realized that I was paying close to 50 dollars a month, just by going to meetings alone.  I love having that support system and I eventually want to go back when I have a better paying job.  The meetings were also nice because I felt like I was being held accountable.  Now I'm on my own, but if I stay focused and fight through the junk food cravings, I know I can make it. I always remember that if other people have done it, I can do it too.  That will be my new mantra.  Sometimes it's helpful to make a list of the problems and conflicts in your life, separating the list into two categories: those you can change and those you can not change.  Usually, the list of things you can change will be longer.  Change is good.