Here we go!

Here we go!  This is my first ever blog post.  I wanted to create this blog for no reason other than to motivate myself and maybe someone else. 

Let me introduce myself to anyone who may not know me.  My name is Lana.  I have been married to my husband, Brian, for almost 10 years.  We have two awesome kids who keep us on our toes constantly with their active lifestyles and witty personalities.   I’m a stay at home mom and as if that wasn’t a busy enough job, I am also a full time event coordinator.  I love my job and the flexibility of being able to raise my children.  It’s challenging juggling being a mom, wife, employee, housekeeper, accountant, cook, maid and everything that comes along with all of those titles.  I wear a lot of hats around here.

The downside to wearing all these hats is that it makes it very difficult to make time for ME.  I know we all struggle with this.  I feel guilty just leaving the kids with my husband for as little as 30 minutes while I go to the grocery store.  Over the years I have lost myself and who I am.  And as result I have packed on the pounds.  I’m angry with myself for letting it get this way but there is only one person who can fix it.  Notice I said PERSON.  There is no magic diet, no magic pills or special drink to shed the weight.  Only I can change myself.  I am the only one who can make good food choices for ME and have the self control to say no to that extra slice of pizza and YES to a side salad instead.    I am the only one who can get myself up, put on my gym clothes and go sweat for 2 hours. 

I started this blog because I need something to hold me accountable.  Last year I set a New Year’s Resolution to run a 5K race every month and end the year with Half Marathon.  I’m happy to say that I completed that resolution.  It was the first New Year’s Resolution I think I have ever completed, and it felt good.  But what really kept me going was the fact that I had a group of people following me on Facebook and cheering me on.  There were MANY races that I did NOT want to go to.  I was too tired, it was too cold, too hot, or I just didn’t wanna (in my 2 year old whiney voice).  The thing that got me up and to that start line and through to the finish line were all the people supporting me.  

So this blog is for myself.  I don’t care who reads it or who doesn’t.  This is my way of keeping myself accountable.  Last year I started the year off at a size…..wait for it……18.  I ended the year in a size 12, and I’m very pleased with that.  But I know that I did not work as hard as I know I am capable of.  I know that I could have made better food choices.  And if I had, I might have been in the single digits.  But we could play the “what if” game all day.  This year is a new year, and today is a new day.  I vow to make time for myself.  It might take me away from my family for a few hours every day,  but if it makes me healthier and happier it’s all worth it….for everyone!

*Goals*
-I’d like to be a size 10 by my son’s birthday party (April 12^th)
-I’d like to be a size 8 by the end of the year
-I will spend 2 hours working out every day for 5 days a week.
-I will log every calorie that I consume and stick to my calorie goal

Notice:  Not once have I mentioned losing weight or the number on the scale.  You know why?  Because that doesn’t matter (at least to me).  What matters to me is being able to fit in to those cute summer shorts and/or having pretty arms in tank tops.  So I don’t use a scale.  Instead, I buy smaller size pants and use those to evaluate my progress.  I am not an expert on losing weight and getting fit.  I don’t think anyone has to be an expert.  It’s simple, quit eating crap and get off the couch.  Make yourself the priority.