Introduction to My Blog

Hello Blog World!

My name is Rachel and I decided to create a blog, as a motivation for myself and for others, too! This will track my 'fitness journey'. This first post is just an introduction, for those of you who don't know about me, regarding where I've been, where I am, and where I want to be! I struggle sometimes with commitment, but really want it to stick this time, and so I am doing this as a way to keep myself on track!

I'm 22 years old, and I'm 5 ft 7. I currently weigh around 211 pounds, with 44% body fat. My goal weight is 150, with only 28% body fat.

I'm a University graduate, and I am now attending college, working towards my CYW diploma, and want to dedicate my life to making a difference for children. Not sure what area of the field I want to work in, but I am just hoping that God directs me there! I definitely see a lot of potential for where my life can go, and want to live every day to the fullest!

As for this blog, well, there is a reason. Over the past 5 years I have gained a significant amount of weight. This has been due to poor eating and exercise habits, substances such as fine wine, beer, and liquors, and just not taking care of myself the way I know I should. I also have a slow metabolism, which makes things more difficult but NOT impossible. I gained about 60 extra pounds since coming to school, which seems insane to me but is totally believable too, I guess. I came to school weighing between 150-160, and now

It hasn't always been this way... I was a very active kid! I was involved in soccer, gymnastics, swimming lessons, kungfu, and many other activities from a young age. When I reached adulthood, however, and these decisions became my own responsibility and much more self-led, I began to sort of 'fall off the bandwagon' so to speak. This has led me here.

Don't get me wrong, I still love to be active! It is more about me making the choice to keep it up. I want exercise and healthy living to BE my life, not just to fit INTO my life when it is convenient. I bought a membership at Goodlife in July, and for a while I was really gung-ho. But now that school has started, and I moved away from the gym I started at, I stopped going. These are not excuses, however. I will now start going back to the gym whenever I can. I also own an elliptical and exercise bike, and a yoga mat, and have P90-X downloaded. It is just a matter of committing. I have been able to maintain my weight loss thus far. I started at 222, and feel that is significant because the past 6 years have really been when I decided I needed to do something, but didn't... I can't believe how far I could have been if I had started then!!!

Some days I look in the mirror and say "damn girl, you look good" but most days I see a difference that needs to be made. There is NO TIME LIKE NOW!!! So let's go...

Realistically, I made these goals hoping I'd be farther along than I currently am. At this point, I have only lost 10-15 pounds, but when you think about it, that is pretty amazing, and I only have about 50-60 more to go.

Starting weight: 211
By Christmas, 2013 (2 months and a bit): 190
By January Caribbean trip: 175
By April final exams: 160 
By June 2013: 140-150

= GOAL

Things I will do daily:

• bike to school not drive (weather permitting)
• yoga mat: 25 push ups, 100 sit ups, 30 burpees, 40 squats
• basement bike/elliptical: 15 minutes altogether

Things I will do to reach my goals:

• DO NOT go to McDonald's for snack wraps or salads.
• DO NOT drink all my calories.
• DO DRINK more water.
• DO EXERCISE whenever I can.
• DO USE my elliptical and cross trainer bike.
• DO GO for bike rides to school instead of driving
• DO use my yoga mat
• DO stay accountable to my friends and family members.
• DO portion control my food.
• DO NOT drink (1 glass of wine every few nights is fine, and once or twice a month having a fun night is acceptable)
• DO NOT buy things that are a temptation
• DO NOT use food to make myself happy 
• DO NOT succumb to every craving
• DO NOT eat irregularly and mess up my sleep/food patterns

I will add more things that are temptations as I think of them, and also things I find helpful.

Bedtime: no later than 1 am on weeknights (differs based on classes)
Wake up: no later than 10 am on week days (differs based on classes)

I FEEL CONFIDENT AND I THINK IT WILL ALL GO EXTREMELY WELL!

Thank you for your support.