The Bucket List

Ever have that one thing you want to do before you die? If you had one day left on Earth, how would you spend it? What would you do?

I've been reflecting a bit on my weight loss journey, and why I decide to start in the first place. If you read my very first blog post on December 23, 2011, you'll see that I've had a few people close to me pass away, and most of the time it had to due with heart-related/health issues. Some were young, some were old, but all were taken too soon.

Because of my health and where I was or wasn't going, I've done some reflecting along this journey. I've grown, and my thinking and knowledge of items such as nutrition labels, high fructose corn syrup, cardio workouts, etc., all related to my health, have grown leaps and bounds.

Just as a very close uncle, who passed away at the ever-young age of 46, I saw myself headed down a dark and lonely road, littered with health stumbling blocks and speed bumps. I had my nephew to live for, my partner in crime as I like to call him, and now a beautiful and vibrant niece, all who I want to see graduate from college, marry their sweetheart, and be productive members of society. I knew, though, that if I continued the way I did, eventually it would be that after I surpassed 200 pounds and eventually 250, it could have been 300, then who knows! I wouldn't be in the position I wanted to be.

Recently, I got on the topic of bucket lists with a friend; a list of things someone wants to do before they die. Lets face it, our days are numbered, and as I've witnessed in the past, you never know which one will be your last.

I have a running joke that I want to "check that of my list." Several items include (or have included) zip lining (check!), get debt free (in progress!), meet Brooks Laich (someday...), hit my healthy weight range (!), and have kids (someday, don't rush it). The list however, is ever-growing.

To even think at my age (I am young, just not THAT young) I'd have a bucket list, not something I'd normally consider, but again, life can be too short.

I believe that one day, the list may be completed, but to do that, life changes had to be made, on my part, regarding my health and the choices I made.

I can honestly say I've come a long way, and even have checked a few things off my "list."

To date, I've lost 79.4 pounds.

To go? 20!

The 100 pound mark is, after all, on the list...

A Mini-Milestone

I've been sick for the past few days, keep that in mind, but I can honestly say my appetite hasn't suffered. Unless it's the flu, it usually doesn't. Ever. (#omnomnomnom) ;)

I've been in a baking mood lately, thank you Fall, which normally proves dangerous. (Future Blog to come!) Between Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkin Muffins (The 2 point Weight Watcher recipe), Oreo Truffles, or Mini Peanut Butter Brownies, it's been a little rocky... I'm not ashamed when it comes to baked goods.

Normally Weigh In days aren't until Wednesday morning, but I try to monitor through the week whether I'm up or down, to see if I need to kick it up a notch or not. Cut to the chase, this morning I weighed in at 174.8, down from 175.4 last week!

Give me a sec to take it in.

WOOOOOOOHOOOOOO! Happy dance! :)

This is the first time in my weight loss journey I've been below 175!!! Sick or not, I'm so excited!

I firmly believe that mini goals are the way to go. It was the first thing I leaned during this big life change. Of course in the beginning, I knew what I had to lose. 105 lbs total to get to my healthy weight range. ONE HUNDRED AND FIVE.

My first thought? "There's no way. Absolutely none. You're nuts if you think I'll reach it."

I started out with the goal to lose 5%. I lost that in the first two weeks!

Next up? 10%, or 25 lbs. At that time I was ecstatic to lose 25, a I just didn't think I could ever do it. I would be thrilled to have 25 gone! That initial 25 lbs, turned into 35, 40, 50, and so on until I hit 75!

In order to seek results, you must have goals. If you don't obtain a goal, don't mope and pout. Ask yourself why it didn't work; give yourself feedback! That is some advice I can give that I only learned through this process, and it hasn't slowed or stopped! I've exceeded my "dream" of losing 50 pounds, and I've just adjusted. Now I want to hit that 100 lb century mark!

But I'll be honest: After getting back from vacation, my goals have lacked, and so has my weight loss. Before vacation, I had set off to lose 10 pounds, and it didn't happen. I was at 180, and wanted to be at 170 before I left, but I was able to shave off 5. Better than nothing, right? Since I've been home, I haven't had much goals in mind, and I've struggled. Currently I work full-time, have a part-time direct selling business, and oh yeah, I started school again in pursuit of my degree. It hasn't left me much time to think about my weight loss, but I am still counting calories, and definitely watching what I eat.

I've thrown the idea around of getting a gym membership, or possibly a trainer, as I'm nervous as heck around gym machines. I need help. I've never used them, always have taken classes, but it's a goal to be toned. I wish I could waive a magic wand and lose the jiggle, but wouldn't we all?! And let's be honest, just running, or just doing Zumba, or just walking isn't necessarily enough to stave off that jiggle. My behind needs a boost, and that goes along with my arms, tummy, thighs, and so on...

Bottom line: No matter where you are in your journey, set a goal. That goes for life too. You never know what you'll be able to achieve if you don't have a dream or goal in mind!

“I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.”

-Jimmy Dean