The weight loss post

Okay okay okay.  I know yall don't really want to read another  "weight loss blog" so I promise that I will not turn this entire blog into bitching about losing weight, but I am going to post about it every now and then. It's an active part of my life and that's what this blog is for.  So here it goes.

It's not a secret that I have gained some weight over the past few years.  I obviously have some work to do when it comes to my body and my health. In the past I honestly have not ever had a problem with my body.  I won't say I didn't get upset when I went jean shopping or when swimsuit season came around, because I did, but I was over all pretty content with myself.  I lost this content after Kate was born.  After she was born everything was stretched out, saggy, and just plain ol soft.  Gross.  I actually lost all of my pregnancy weight really fast.  I gained 30lbs on the dot which is a great healthy amount of weight to gain.  As of one month ago I was back to my pre pregnancy weight but with lots of extra skin and stretch marks. Again, gross.  I'm not quite ready to reveal my actual weight but I will tell you that as of April 1st I set a goal to lose 65 pounds.  Thats a lot of weight.  I have short term goals too which I think are helping me keep the slow and steady wins the race mentality.  I have a goal to lose 30 pounds by august.  I think this is super obtainable and I am well on my way.  I set these goals with Kate on my mind.  How great will it be for me to be healthier to be able to keep up with that little squirmer later! I need to be healthier for myself first of all, but also for her.

What inspired me to write this post today was meeting my other short term goal.  Thanks to my awesomely supportive hubby I set my goal for April which was to lose 10 pounds.  As of this morning I met that goal.  I lost 10 pounds this month which is awesome.  I don't think I have actually hit a weight loss goal in a LONG time.  I woke up this morning feeling proud of myself, healthier, and ready to kick it in gear and continue this month.  I plan on having the same goal for May.  10 pounds gone by June 1st.  As to how I lost those 10 pounds I have to say I am really just trying to make healthier choices and I have been going to the gym.  I found an iPhone app that I LOVE called lolo treadmill.  The app creates interval workouts for me and gradually increases the intensity every time.  I have been going to the gym at least 5 times a week for the month of April.  I plan on keeping that routine up.  I don't think I have ever felt so good about working out.  It hasn't come easy but I have some great support!  Along with Jacob cheering me on I have a friend, Jessica, that has been keeping me motivated.  I felt really proud to be able to tell her this morning that I hit my goal.  I love that she is proud of me just as much as I am proud of myself.  That right there is a great friend.  I am so lucky to have her as a friend. 
As with any great blog you have to have pictures, and on any successful weight loss blog you always see "before" and "after" pictures.  I don't know what makes me think that this helps them lose more weight and stay motivated, but I do think it helps. I took my "before" pictures at the beginning of April. I took pictures of myself that are internet appropriate (with clothes on) so I could share them on my blog. I don't particularly know why I have felt nervous to put them up before, but I really debated if I should or not.  I decided yesterday that everyone that is reading this blog has probably met me and they know what I look like, and If they haven't, well great, they will have something to compare to when I post my next pictures later.  I think it is allowing me to put everything out on the table.  I'm not hiding behind anything anymore.  They aren't the best pictures ever but you get the point. So here they are.

                                       Please excuse my messy room, workout clothes, and blurry pictures :)

 I also took them for myself (with less clothes on) and someday when I'm ready I might just share those with you to show how much I have really changed, but for now these will work :).


I hope to share a story that can inspire other people to get themselves to be healthier and happier with themselves.  I am so happy to have everyones support and keep it up because the kind words really keep me going!


End the sappy weight loss post.... NOW!



-K

UPDATE:  I totally forgot to mention one of my favorite people that is helping keep myself accountable.  My great cousin and friend Elizabeth.  She inspired me to join our gym and has been with me every step of this journey so far.  She and I are keeping eachother accountable and also giving me someone to chat with at the gym.  I love you and sorry I forgot you ;)