My Fuel

There are so many reasons to be healthy & lose weight. Time and time again for the past three years I have had ONE main goal...."skinny". I'm not sure if my naive nature is finally breaking down or what. The thing is, I had this AMAZING "ah ha!" moment almost two weeks ago. 

Being "skinny" doesn't necessarily mean I'll be proud of my body, have children, be able to walk long distances, play with my nieces, or live life to the fullest. The only way to do all of those things and SO much more is by being healthy. 

I've had plenty of stress the past couple of months, from moving out of my apartment and having no where to go but my adopted sisters house in her spare room. Yes, I realize that is more than what most have, but for me it was hard to swallow my pride and allow myself to feel that vulnerable. So with stress of finding a place, then from finding a place and signing a lease within a weeks time; you can say I've been really busy! 

The first week of April I touched base with my friend Laura who created Lets Lose It Together on Facebook. Its a healthy/fitness group where women get advice, share advice, encourage, check in, and ultimately help keep each other accountable. Because Laura lives just a couple minutes from my house in East Missoula she told me about a trail named "The Hidden Trail" in E. Missoula. I agreed to be embarrassed and hike it with her on that Saturday, April 6. 

See, Laura used to be over 200 lbs, I want to say around 240. She lost 85+ lbs by eating right and exercising. Nothing more. So, knowing she hiked this hill and was able to achieve it...I sucked up my embarrassment and hiked it. Being out of shape was an UNDERSTATEMENT! 

While hiking, Laura was next to me the whole time encouraging me. 
"You can do it"
"Just a little bit further"
"If we go to that tree just ahead, we will take a quick break"
"You're one of the most determined people I know"
"You are doing great, remember to breathe correctly"

All of these things she was saying...were COMPLETE opposites of what I was telling myself in my head. Every time I worked out, hiked, anything physical I always talked down to myself. I knew she wasn't going to let me quit, so I decided to encourage myself by just pushing until I absolutely had to stop. Before I know it I was muttering "You can do it." "Just a little bit further". "Wow, see you can do it." 

That was my "ah ha!" moment. Once I started to genuinely believe in myself, I was able to finally see clearly...my abilities and the simple fact that breaking myself down wasn't inspiring me to work harder. It was holding me back. 

So the following day, we hiked it again. Beat our time by almost 20 minutes. Those two days play such a HUGE part of who I am today. Guess what? It's only been a little over a week since then, but for some reason mentally, emotionally, and physically I feel so much wiser and stronger. 

I have been eating clean & have worked out 7 of the 10 days so far. I'm down -6 lbs. I have some pictures that I will post of the hike and of different foods I eat. I encourage you to PLEASE give me your feedback. If you have recipes or suggestions, I'll take them! I feel so uneducated sometimes about nutrition and working out that I'm researching, watching documentaries, and always asking my health conscious friends their thoughts and ideas.

Welcome to the rest of my life. :)