So, why am I doing this, exactly?

Yesterday, February 6, marked the end of my first month of healthy living.

Since January 6, 2010 I have:

1. Exercised 21 times (either at the gym, yoga, or non-casual walking)
2. I have substantially cut down on fast food consumption
3. I have tricked myself into eating and even liking fruit
4. Salads have become a staple of my diet
5. I don't feel deprived or or frustrated in any way.

Now that I am getting into a rhythm (I am starting to feel weird about not going to the gym every day, not because I want to work out 3 hours a day, but because it is becoming habitual) I am going to post status updates every month on the 6th/7th so that I can look at how what I'm doing is working.

I mean, it sounds great that I want to live a healthy life without going over-board, but what if that doesn't work?? I can't just sit her on my soapbox talking about the merits of a balanced lifestyle when I could be gaining weight, plateauing, or am actually getting more in shape than I even realize.

So, let's get to it.

As of today, February 7th 2010:

• I am 5 foot 4 and weigh 155lbs (I think. The scales at the gym all say differently, but I am hoping the one that says I weight 162 is way off)
• I know I am not fat; not even remotely. However, I am still not healthy in appearance or how I feel
• I have little to no muscle in my arms, and abs have never made an appearance on my frame

Buuuuut, I am starting to see some changes after one month of much improved eating habits and exercising.

• My pants are fitting a little better, they are not so tight in the waist or thighs
• My stamina is much higher, I feel my body automatically pushing itself at the gym instead of slowing down like in the first few weeks
• My legs are getting more defined

I know that if I keep this up I'll see even more changes. Cross your fingers!

Goals for next month's status:

1. More noticeable difference in arm definition, so I need to do more weights and/or yoga
2. Be able to fit back into my size 8 jeans and my size small shirts

Maybe a little background on why I am taking this on would be good here, also. I was a chunky kid, but around age 13 I reached my full height and evened out quite a bit. In juniors sizes I wore size 7 and medium, and was only a little larger than my friends. Once I got into college and started wearing "women's sizes" I was a standard 6 in pants/skirts, a 2-4 in dresses, and a small/medium in tops and jackets. I still was not super tiny, but I was comfortable for the most part in what I was wearing.

After college, I lost some weight because I moved to a new city, and was not going out very much because I knew almost no one. So, I didn't eat out or drink much at all.

I would say the big turning point was in May 2008. That is when I met the old ball and chain, and made a ton of new friends. My social life was a lot more active, but not in terms of breaking a sweat. I ate out more, drank more, and stopped thinking about exercising, which I had been doing off and on for a little while in my apartment complex's gym. Going to the gym was not fun; hanging out with friends was!

Also, as I think is common with most people in relationships, you get comfortable with the person you are dating, and don't feel the need to be in tip-top shape all the time. If you really love eachother, you don't mind if one of you gains/loses a few pounds. If you are both happy and healthy (for the most part), that is what really counts.

So, ever since May 2008 I have slowly gained weight. It would always hit me when the season's changed, because I would go to put on my cute winter coat from the year before, and I couldn't button all the buttons. Or I would go shopping for spring dresses, and all the size 6s I put on were too small; I had to go up a size. Swimsuits? Yeah right. I won't even wear one in front of Kyle.

The tipping point for me was when, this past fall/winter, I could barely fit into any of my clothes from college through 2008. I was having to buy larger sizes, and felt most comfortable in sweat pants. I was sick of it. No one said anything to me, or made a big deal out of it. I just reached a point where I wanted my old life and body back. I was starting to feel fat, and incredibly unhealthy. I attribute my 1.5 year weight gain mostly to:

• Not belonging to a gym; I have been a full time student without a salary for almost a year, so joining a gym was out of the question
• Chipotle. It's okay once in a while, but not 2-3 times a week
• Kyle and I stopped going on active dates like hiking, exploring new towns, etc. We became more lazy in our dates like movies, eating out, etc.
• Drinking. I did not drink a ton in college or after until May 2008. That was the first time in my life where I entered more "social" relationships full of happy hours and wine tastings. Again, drinking is fine in moderation, but I have far exceeded that!

I am just done with it, so I really took advantage of finally being able to use UMDs gym for free this year. Hopefully, that paired with eating a LOT better I will get back to looking like this:

Or this:

I just want to get back to my standard 140ish body and fit into my old clothes again. It would also certainly save me a lot of moola!

Alright, everyone have a good one, and cross your fingers that I can keep this up!