December | 2014 | Simply Phenomenal

Since my last writing over two months ago I have experienced progress and missteps along my fitness journey. Since September I have been working with a personal fitness trainer which has elevated my ability to achieve the goals I have set for myself. I confess I still struggle with getting it just right. I continue to prefer my Starbucks indulgence and more often than I should, a sweet treat. While I remain committed to my physical activity and eating well overall, poor choices are stumbling blocks that exist along the way and only stymie my progress.

I am ten days away from my one-year goal date of January 5, when I began my journey this year. Although I will not reach my initial weight loss goal by that date, I have had a banner year. I have learned so much, achieved so much, and grown so much.

“Nothing builds self-esteem and self-confidence like accomplishment.” ~Thomas Carlyle

When I did it, I knew I could. Setting and crushing personal goals fueled every step of my journey. Great people including MYSELF, family, friends, fitness trainers, a nutrition coach, and (I’ll call them) fitness mates have all contributed to my success to date. Goal achievement does not mean you give up or stop, it is just the time to set new goals, to keep pushing. So my status 355 days in is anticipation of achieving that ultimate goal, setting new ones, and most significantly helping others along the way.

“When you learn, teach. When you get, give.” ~ Dr. Maya Angelou

As I continue toward achieving my goals, I am endeavoring to share what I have learned in hopes of helping at least one person succeed in creating a new lifestyle of health and fitness. I want people to be inspired beyond looking at what I have done, to actually doing it for themselves.

“You’ve got what it takes, but it will take everything you’ve got.”

I finally have my own before and after, my own success story … you can too.

Photos: Spring 2013; December 2013; August 2014; December 2014)

Total weight-loss to date is 52.5 lbs.

My current fitness focus is muscle building and toning. Nutrition goals include drinking more water (still); eliminating sugar/sweet treats (still); and committing to cooking and preparing my own meals (still). I also want to adopt the 12 hr fast (stop eating by 7-7:30 pm), http://amazingy.com/magazine/secret-boundless-energy-moment-get/.

To keep crushing goals … I MUST WIN!