Motivational Monday

I wasn't always a girl who lead a healthy lifestyle. I use to hate to workout and sweat and planning healthy meals all day wasn't the easiest thing for me. Growing up I lived off of white breads and pastas. Rich home style cooking. And sweet desserts tended to surround me. An after school snack might of consisted of some cookies or potato chips. 


Entering college, I began to see that there was a different way of living. That is when I tested out the latest fad diet such as the Special Kay Challenge, South Beach Diet, and Weight Watchers. I would have minimal success due to binge drinking, take out, cafeteria food, and the late night munchies I always tended to gain back the weight that I lost and then some.


I was never a thin girl and always blamed it on my genes never really looking at my poor eating and exercising habits. I never truly knew how I really looked at the time.


Once I graduated from college and moved back home. Not only was I ready to embrace a healthier life, but so was my family. The white breads and pasta were traded in for the trendier whole grain options and my mom began to tweak her rich cooking recipes into lighter options. While there was often a fix for my sweet tooth in the house, they definitely were not in abundance and tended to also be a sugar free or low fat option. Also, I began to experiment more with fruits and veggies eating things that I never thought I could ever like such as brussel sprouts and mushrooms. 


My parents have a treadmill in the house so I also began to exercise. I started walking, then quickened my pace into a run. 


This is when all of a sudden my clothing did not fit anymore and when I went shopping for jeans I was in a size I never could of imagined. 


Out of all the fad diets I tried and failed at one thing worked, just being healthy. 


Now in my "adult married life," I am still in a size that I never thought I would see. Exercise is part of my daily routine. And eating healthy meals and snacks are what is on the menu. I have NOT given up cakes, cookies, chocolate, french fries, or pizza. I still enjoy some of my favorite "bad for you foods" on occasion or finding a healthier lighter way to make them. I have never felt better in my own skin. I can run, dance, and enjoy all of life loving who I am and feeling good about myself. My habits have also rubbed off on my hubby, a burger and fires man, also enjoys the lighter dinners I make. I one day hope to pass on these habits to my children also. I hope they don't have to struggle with their weight the way I have. 

The way I feel inside my own skin is my motivation today and everyday. Looking back at the pictures from all of the weddings this year, I can't help but think "who is that girl?" I love that girl that is smiling in all of the pictures!

Have a wonderful week!

Love love love,