#1 A Focus on Fitness

On Monday, September 1, 2014, I stepped on the scale and this is what I saw:

Yes, I know I just put myself on blast. I mentioned that one of my fitness goals yesterday was to lose 50 lbs. This goal is about consistency and maintenance, rather than just going on a diet. The ultimate goal is more about health than seeing an ideal number on the scale. My job is sedentary in nature and I don't do much to combat this. I am convinced that my neck and shoulder pains are due at least in part to the extra weight I've been carrying and my sedentary lifestyle.

Obviously, health is not measured by a magic number on a scale, but I know me. I know I need a number to measure my progress. Becoming a runner is something that I've been saying I want to do for the past year. How embarrassing is that? I am no closer to reaching this goal than I was when I first started saying it. Anyone will tell you that the way to accomplish these fitness goals is simple:

Establish healthier eating habits
Hit the gym [workout] with consistency

One story I find particularly inspirational is Bubba. I know Bubba from work and he is a testament to what had work and consistency can do. To date, he's lost about 220 pounds in a little over a year. Check his blog when you get a chance!

Of course, introducing these habits is easier said than done. My biggest problems are that I hate working out almost as much as I hate most vegetables and healthy foods. What's a girl to do? I've got to just push through it. The plan is to find healthy foods that I can tolerate and a way to make working out less dreadful more enjoyable. Easy enough, right? :) 

I plan to incorporate Zumba and Couch-to-5k training, in order to keep me on track with workout goals. Yesterday, I restarted the Couch to 5k app on my iphone. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this app, I would definitely recommend it. I love the way this app tracks progress. The bigger beast to conquer is my unhealthy diet. My hubby and I are super picky eaters, but I need to face the music and start incorporating vegetables into my diet, while laying off the sugars. My love affair with carbs will be a STRUGGLE! 

As a smaller goal to tackle first, I am trying to shed 20 lbs by the end of September. Yes, I know this still seems like a lofty goal, but I think the increased activity and introduction of healthier foods will help me to lose more weight initially. Then, I'll focus on tone and maintenance. I've got to take this thing one day at a time. What are your favorite healthy meals/snacks? Show me the recipes [*cough* Chelsea *cough* *cough*]!