So, over the last three years, I’ve really let my fitness go. I’ve been active because it’s hard not to be when you are renovating a house. Being really fit requires you to do more than carry heavy stuff and step up and down ladders. However, finding that motivation is always a trick.

Steve is a huge motivator for me to workout and eat well, but let’s face it, he wasn’t here.  Fast food is so much easier. Seriously, I ate more fast food in the last two years than I have my entire life. Trust me when I tell you, it shows!

You guys, I gained 30 pounds over the last three years. Thirty pounds!

I usually lose weight pretty easily, so I can get lazy knowing I’ll just shed the weight later. Well, surprise, surprise, I entered menopause this year, and the weight I was carrying was very happy to hear the news! It seemed like no matter what I did, I kept staying the same weight.

I read some paperwork on menopause that said losing weight will be very difficult during this time, but not impossible. It also said that exercise and a healthy diet will lessen symptoms like hot flashes and moodiness. I mean, there’s the reason right there!

Steve moved home in March, and literally the first weekend he came home, we started working out together. We were running and CrossFitting, 6 days a week. After several weeks I noticed a difference in the way I looked, but hadn’t lost a single ounce. I’m sure I was trading fat for muscle. But come on ladies, you know how we get over the numbers on the scale. More than that I was still large, and my clothes were still tight. I wasn’t feeling good, and at this age I worry about heart disease and all the other things that come along with holding on to weight.

In July I started working the Body for Life program, and lost 12 pounds. I also completely gave up all dairy. I’m not a fan of eliminating any food group, but I’m lactose intolerant, and I’ve been suffering for years over the refusal to stop eating dairy. I feel sooooo much better after that change, but I soon stopped losing weight again. Let me tell you, it’s discouraging to work hard, eat food you don’t really enjoy, and still get zero results.

Three weeks ago I started a program called Vshred and have lost four more pounds. The workouts are easier, and the food is much better. I love the recipes on the diet and would actually eat them after losing the weight.

After seven months of working out and eating better, I’ve lost a total of 16 pounds. That puts me about half way to my goal.  I’ve also given myself a year to get this weight off. It just can’t be about speed anymore, or being unhealthy. If it takes longer than a year, I’m ok with that too. I’m gaining benefits all along the way by eating clean and moving my body. I’ve gone down a pant size and have even gotten into my “skinny jeans.” I don’t feel squeezed into my own body anymore either. My favorite part is that I’m strong, and I can carry heavy things and play again.

Last week I went for my annual check up and my Dr. told me I’m in a healthy BMI range and am not over weight. So now it’s really up to how I want to look and feel. Most importantly I feel like it’s about having a realistic view of myself over what I think I have to be, or what I’ve been once before. These days, I just really want to feel good, and be strong so I can live longer and be able to be mobile for years to come.

People are totally counting on me to stick around.