Fear of the unknown

I did something today that I thought I would NEVER do……I went whitewater rafting as part of a team building event at work. Building up to the event I was miserable about it. I didn’t want to go because I thought my weight and my non-athleticism would be an issue. Let me tell everyone, it is NOT an issue. And it was an amazing experience!  I had an absolutely amazing time!  It dawned on me that I was using my weight as an excuse. What the real problem was, was that I was terrified of the unknown aspect of it. 

If we let our fears control us though, we will never experience anything!  We would never find out if there is something we absolutely love doing!  I say, throw caution to the wind every once in a while and do something completely outside the box!  You might hate it, or it may be something you absolutely love!  You won’t know unless you try it!

One of my biggest downfalls

I was all excited during my first post to get things started and then it happened……

It always happens, too. The excuses start to build…

“I want to write a blog, but I had a hard time getting the kids to sleep so I’ll do it tomorrow” (but I use this excuse every night)

“I want to eat healthy, but I had a tough day at work so let’s get fattening takeout instead”

“Well I ate crappy yesterday, so I might as well continue eating crappy and start again on Monday”

The excuses go on and on. I promised myself numerous times that I would start eating health, that I would start exercising, that I would do all these things and I just don’t do them.

Now what do I do? Well now I need to figure out a way to end my excuse making habit. For starters, I need to stop letting life get in the way of my goals, whether it be to exercise or to eat healthy. Next, I want to start planning things like meetings and appointments that cannot be missed. Finally, I need accountability. I need to commit to actually writing this blog at least once a week (for weigh ins), but hopefully more often.

While it feels good to get all of this out and to make these plans to really commit to a healthy lifestyle change, I need to commit this to my mind. The only way change can occur is within myself. I need to want to actually change for it to happen.

My 1st Post!

Hi everyone! Welcome to my blog! First, let’s get the introductory stuff out of the way! My name is Ashley, and I have 2 beautiful girls (2 and 4) and an amazing supportive husband. I have struggle with my weight since I was probably 10 or 11 years old. I had a brief 2-3 year period while in college where I worked my butt off to get down to ‘normal’ weight. After that time frame, life happened. I went through some personal things and the weight started being put on. My weight has been a constant struggle for me as has a healthy lifestyle. I have tried several different types of diets so far, but I have never stuck with it. The whole purpose for this to have a place to be accountable. This blog is not intended to sell a program, but to be a real place to discuss everything that happens with a weight loss journey. To look at the the ups and the downs. It is also intended to be a place to be positive about changing to a healthy lifestyle. I have read many blogs that become whiny overtime and I am determined to not let that get to me!

Now for the “rules”!

1. I will upload some before pictures as well as my starting weight on Friday, May 26th.
2. Weigh-ins will be every Friday
3. Progress pictures will be taken once a month
4. I will try to post 2-3 times a week. My posts will potentially consists of examples of my meals, exercise that has been done, how my week is going, how I feel mentally and physically.

Once I get everything settle, I will post my myfitnesspal account as well as my fitbit name so I can be added! This isn’t just a journey for myself, but one that anyone can join!

Until next time! ~Ashley