One Year Ago.

A little over a year ago, I decided it was time to really change things in my life. One year ago was the last day of a life that I no longer live - and I couldn't be any happier that that life doesn't exist!!

On April 12, 2008, I had my last drink of pop and my last fast food meal. I didn't even want to have that stuff that day because a few days beforehand, I wanted to no longer have those things exist in my life - I had no choice, though, since we were at someone else's house and that's what we had to eat there. But I haven't even had a sip of pop since that day, and I haven't even licked french fry grease off my fingers after tearing fries into smaller pieces for my kids. I just don't allow those things anymore.

Looking back, I always thought that making it one week would be such a bitch and I didn't know if I would even make it passed two weeks without fast food and pop. But here I am, one year later, and I've gone fast food and pop free!! I never understood how people could do this, but once I started doing it, I realized that it's for the best and it only gets easier as each day goes by. I'm 100% happy with the decision I made, and the only regret I have is that I didn't start living without fast food and pop sooner - but at least I started at some point, and not a point where it was too late.

In the last year, I've lost 20-30 pounds. All of the weight I lost came off in just 2-3 months. I haven't lost another pound since the end of summer, which blows balls, but at least I actually lost some weight. It's just irritating though because no matter how much I work out, how well I eat, etc., I just can't lose another pound - which is why in June, I am going to start a "diet" that is actually more strict than a vegan "diet". People may think it's insane, but it's actually an incredibly healthy "diet". I'd say that it's one million times better than a diet that restricts carbs. The "diet" that I will be starting has done wonders for some of my family members, and I am ready to give it a try and see what it does for me. I have a lot of faith and hope that it'll work for me. It might actually just be what helps me get to where I need to be. [And when I say "need to be", I really do mean need to be!! Even with all of the weight I've lost, I'm still far from being totally healthy.]

When the boys and I head back to Ohio toward the end of May, I am going to make it a goal to walk at least 3 days a week and run 3 days a week. It'll be so much easier for me to run while I'm home because I can just leave the boys with my mom. [Seriously, I am just way too short to use the jogging stroller. I can't push that damn thing properly. If I were maybe 3 inches taller, I'd be fine.] I am also going to do some strength training 3-4 days a week. Working out, along with the strict diet, I think that I'll be able to lose the weight I want to lose in time for me to get plastic surgery. I hope that I can be to where at least I feel I can be comfortable.

Well, here's to the past year of success, and to another year of kicking my own ass and hopefully reaching more goals that I'll set for myself!!