Day 1 - And off we go!

Okay, so it's my first day of taking better care of myself and getting the weight off that I've gained over the last couple of years. It started out with my scale dying when I tried to get a starting weight (of course).  I'm a little obsessive about my weight though so I can go with my weight as of 2 days ago, which is 218 lbs.  I can't believe I'm actually writing that down for people to see because I'm extremely self-conscious but, if I'm going all out, I have to be honest and face the truth.  I'm also posting a 1st day picture of me, which is horrifying.  Even when I was in shape, I hated pictures of me but, once again, honesty, honesty, honesty!  Ugh!  This is probably going to be the hardest part for me. 

Ignore the hair.  It's a work in progress too.  Blech!!

And I did my measurements as well. Also, not pleasant but I need to record them so I can keep track of  NSV's (Non-Scale Victories for those that don't know).  They are:

Upper Arm (Left): 16"
Chest: 46"
Waist: 45"
Hips: 48"
Upper thigh (Left): 27.5"

As far as keeping a journal, this is it. I'm always on my computer, iPad or phone so I'm more likely to keep up with it this way rather than doing a paper journal.  There was a bit of a learning curve but it wasn't actually too bad.  The hardest part was finding a weight loss ticker and a 100 day countdown but even that wasn't too difficult (Google is my friend). Oh!  And the 100 day thing.  I know I'm not going to lose my weight in 100 days (wouldn't that be awesome though).  I just figured if I can commit to 100 days, which isn't all that long when it comes down to it and I'm making progress, then I should be able to keep it rolling and make this a lifetime commitment to myself.

I'm still working on the 24 hour plan.  My husband and I usually prep our food for the week over the weekends to keep cooking to a minimum during the week. So, I always know ahead of time what breakfast lunch and dinner are.  The trick will be evening snacking.  That's where my willpower tends to fall apart.  I think I should write down what I eat during the day though because then I can see what may be a potential problem and I can get feedback from others when I'm struggling. 

And, lastly for today my 10 reasons.

1. I want to be able to reach the coffee table from the couch because my stomach gets in the way right now.

2. I want to feel more confident when I'm around others or just out in public.  Right now I feel like I'm being judged by everyone when I'm out and about (I know it's not true but, once again, really self-conscious). 

3.  I want my heart rate to go down.  When I used to workout all the time and was only about 10 pounds away from what I wanted to be, my heart rate was mid-70s.  Now, it 100-110 (resting) and if I move about it jumps up to 120-140.  That's scary.  We tried beta blockers but it made me too tired to function.  I really don't want to have a heart attack at 49.

4. My hormones might level out some.  I'm peri-menopausal (yay me) so my hormones are funky right now anyway but add in Hashitmoto's Thyroiditis and the stress of all of this weight on my body and that adds up to a roller coaster ride of hormones.

5. I don't want to be horrified when my husband touches me.  Yeah. I know. TMI but it's true.

6.  I want to be able to wear my "thin clothes" again and to pitch my "fat clothes" once and for all.

7.  I want to sleep without taking two different medications to do so.  If I get moving and actually wear myself out during the day, I might be able to wean myself off from those. 

8.  So this may seem silly, but I live in Louisiana currently and overweight in the summer down here is miserable.  I avoid outside as much as possible.  If I lose this weight, it will still suck :) but not as much.

9.  I'm tired of being sick and tired.  Getting my eating and exercising on track will definitely help with that.  I can't wait to not drag through the day and to have more energy.

10.  This one is probably the most important one (well, if it's not first, it's definitely up there).  I just want to be happier, more peaceful and less anxious.  Exercise definitely helps with moods, I just have to get moving again. I have noticed how much sitting I do and it's honestly, hard to tell if I'm depressed so I don't move or if I don't move and it makes me depressed. It's probably a little of both.

Well, this is much longer than I expected for today but I just wanted everything out there.

So....we're off to the races!!  Have a wonderful day and always remember to always have faith in yourself because if you don't who will.