I have been on a self-care journey. I joined a gym and I have been exercising and consciously watching what I eat. I actually think about what I eat and how it may be effecting my body. I make a concerted effort to make my own breakfast and lunch(no more fast food every day). Not only are my meals healthier but my pocketbook is healthier, too. Not wasting money eating out as much. So, I guess I can say that my waist isn't the only thing that I have a total body workout that one of the personal trainers created for me and I have been doing since March 15, 2011. On this Friday, I have been working out for a month and I have worked out about 16 times!! My body is sore all of the time(at least it seems that way some days) but I do see some progress. My clothes are fitting looser, my thighs look smaller and my belly looks like it went down, too. I have lost about 9lbs and I am still counting. I have a long way to go but I am committed to being strong, confident and most of all healthy. I just want to feel good. I want to be able walk up steps and not not be winded. I want to be able to walk 3, 5, 7, 10 miles and want to be able to hike, jump rope and be flexible. My first goal is to lose 20 lbs, then another 20 lbs, then another 20lbs and so on. I am also trying to carve out some pamper time, too. I had a facial in February and I am planning to have another one on April 30th, too. Hopefully, if finances get better, I will be able to carve out a massage or two in there. I have got to be committed to taking care of this temple that God gave me. I have been taking it for granted for far too long. Your health is your wealth. I have to remember that when I am working out today and I feel like I can't go any further.
Along the way, I have discovered some wonderful weight loss tools via websites that are assisting me on this journey. Check out Black Women Do Workout on Facebook, SistahStrong, the Black Girl's Guide To Weight Loss, PrayFit and SELF Drop 10 Challenge. Each of these sites are giving me the strength, motivation and stamina to keep going. There are so many days when I just want to give up and eat a big plate of macaroni and cheese with some good ole fashioned fried chicken. But for now, I cannot do that. I have to eat those foods in moderation or make a low fat version of the original and be thankful for the wisdom. So, I am on a weight loss journey as well as a spiritual journey. I am taking God with me on this journey and I believe that he is guiding me to what is right for me. I am praying before I work out and I am praying when I finish a workout. It is only His doing that enables me to finish each time. So, I will keep you posted on my progress as times goes on. I hope to get down 2 or three dress sizes by the summer. I'm even thinking about buying me a new bathing suit.
