I restarted my journey on March 9, 2008at 238 pounds and 40% body fat. As of today I am down to 224, 35% body fat, and have lost 7″ overall, 4 of them off my waist.

I’ve struggled with my weight for many years, and all of the issues that came with the gain. At my heaviest I was over 250 (I’m not sure how much over because I stopped using the scale at 250) and wore a 26 bottom and 26-28 top. I developed high blood pressure (the family curse) and the migraines that started in my tween years became progressively worse. Changes in my routine and eating plan have led to a normal bp, awesome cholesterol and triglyceride numbers, and more energy. I still get migraines, but they have become less frequent and less severe.

Exercise is a mixed bag. I’m a video addict, but am somewhat limited on how I move thanks to an accident a few years back and my arthritic left side (hip, knee, ankle an back). I have a couple Beach Body workouts and love them, but can’t follow the suggested schedules or I end up in bed for a day or two. I do a lot of walking, have a love/hate relationship with my elliptical, and love my resistance bands. I get in at least 40 minutes of activity daily thanks to the dogs, kids, and whatever workout calls to me.

And food. Oh, food is life. I love cooking , cookbooks, and food blogs. Food Network is set as one of my favorites in my remote, and my extended family has come to expect a Paula Deen-inspired dessert at family gatherings. I’m a vegetarian, but my family isn’t, and I do most of the cooking. Hubby isn’t exactly a lower fat kind of guy and believes there are two food groups – meat and other. When it comes to our ways of eating, I see how I eat as my choice, and make sure there are choices for all of us on the table. While DD is likely to go meatless for most meals, DS is just like dad and wants meat. Fun, eh?

I’m a rambling this this morning, lol. I’m making this public because I can’t ignore the off-track days when they’re out there for the world to see. It’s easy to ‘forget’ to journal when I stick with paper & pen. Besides, I know I’m not the only one out there, struggling to find time to take care of my needs when I have a family, work, school, and other things filling my schedule. I’ve learned that I am not good to them or anyone else when I’m flat on my back. They respect and encourage my workout and meditation time because if mama’s not happy, no one’s happy.

I’ll ramble, confess, celebrate, and generally log my progress, setbacks, whatever here. For now, it’s time for a cup of tea and some breakfast.

Later all.