…I decided to reclaim my health and boy has it been a journey. It’s been hard, it’s been easy, it’s been terribly inconvenient, it’s been sloppy, it’s been simple and it’s been complicated. Basically, it’s been all the things! A year ago I declared to the world I was tired of being FAT. Click here to read that first post.

In the past couple of weeks, I really changed up my eating and added to my workouts. I’ve not been great or super consistent… because, well LIFE. But I’ve been trying and doing my best.

I can tell you OFFICIALLY, that I have lost 40 lbs since I wrote to y’all one year ago today!

For the past couple of weeks I tell people I’ve lost ALMOST 40 lbs. But I couldn’t say actually 40 lbs. It’s been killing me. But finally, I weighed and I hit the 150’s. It’s been a while since I’ve seen this number. So YAY for hitting a decent mark. BOOOO for being a slacker in November and December or maybe I’d be better off! But it is what it is and I dug in, worked hard and went back to making progress.

It’s a journey and a process. It doesn’t happen overnight. I still see a fat kid in the mirror (mental battles) but my clothes see a leaner, fitter person. My workouts see a stronger, fitter person. My friends and family somehow see a shrinking Stephanie.

And even though it didn’t happen overnight, looking back, the year flew by. If you know me personally… it probably didn’t fly by because you all were so kind to take all my whining, bitching and negative attitude.

I am not a “pleasant” worker outer-er! I know this. I’m not sally go happy. I kicked and screamed and had an outpouring of negativity on the regular. I was NOT skipping through life telling everyone how awesome I am at life. But I stuffed the spinach and the eggs in my mouth. I passed on sugary sweets and boozy drinks. The drive-thru’s do not know me. Fried jalepeno’s and brownie desserts stayed by the wayside.

I was not perfect and still am not perfect. There were days and weeks where I was on point – 100%. And there were days and weeks where I was more at 60%. Like I said, it’s been all the things. I’ve snuck in a gummy bear or two. I grabbed more than a few fries on occasion. But when I say on occasion, I mean ONCE or TWICE at most. I don’t mean, once a week. Or once a day. In 6 months, ONCE or TWICE. In one year, maybe four or five times. I was a little less strict when I started.

I’ve been consistently working out at least 3 times a week. Lately it’s been more like 6-9 times a week as I have added cardio in the mornings. I’m still not awesome at waking up to get those workouts in, but I’m doing more than I was 6 weeks ago!

It takes time, it takes baby steps, it takes growing up… no matter how old you are, if you are on the fence or wishy washy… it takes GROWING UP! It’s about stopping with the excuses. It’s about giving up bad habits and turning them into good habits. It’s about eating veggies even if you don’t care for veggies. It’s about moving your body, getting active and finding the time, even it if it’s only 10 minutes.

My journey is not over. As I type to you, my legs are dead! The past week of workouts have killed them. This is good, they are tearing down and building new muscle. More muscle burns more fat!

I hope by this time next year, I’m a fine tuned machine. That I will age with grace and fitness. My forties will be my fittest!

Thank you all for sticking with me! Thank you all for supporting me! I hope you stay with me and maybe even join me if you aren’t already finding better health 🙂