On Sale. Cute. Size Medium.

In my first blog, I mentioned why I started this blog - accountability to get my chubby butt moving. So, here is the story of what my tipping point was.

Earlier this month, I organized a team building exercise at work. During the event one of the spectators took pictures for our work blog on my camera. Later that afternoon I downloaded the images to my work computer and started to go through them. At first, my reaction was "she took really good pictures", then I came to the below photo. AHHHH! are you kidding me!  Katie, what's with the gut.

While this photo can be blamed on horrible posture, the below picture, I can only blame myself!

Look out Wide load coming through!

A little back, back story.... In January of this year, I decided that since I was turning thirty this year I wanted to really step outside of my comfort zone and challenge myself. I joined a training group to train for the Cincinnati Flying Pig Half Marathon. The first two weeks of running (run/walking) were horrible. I mean awful, horrendous, killer...we were only running 2 to 3 mile twice a week, but I was in tears after every run. Shinsplints, side pains, I couldn't breath.  Then I got super sick, with flu like symptoms, no energy, so I went to the doctor. Cold.. nope. Flu.. nope. Mono...nope.

Doctor: "Is it possible that you have asthma?"

Me: "I wouldn't be surprised"

(Later, I called my mom "Mom, turns out I have asthma" my Momma's reaction "Yeah, Sounds about right" - Thanks Ma)

Two weeks to let my lungs recover and I was back and running like a champ. Until....... St. Patrick's Day!

The morning of St. Patrick's Day we were scheduled to run 9 miles. This would have been the longest I ever ran. I was ready to go. Ate right the night before, woke up early. About 6 miles into the run both of my heels were killing, but I continued to run. No Pain, No Gain. I finished the run and knew I was in trouble. I had planned to head out early to enjoy the beautiful 70 degree, sunshine, Saturday St. Patrick's Day. (Side note: I love St. Patty's Day. Love It. Everyone is Irish and it is great people watching) I iced my foot, went to lunch with a friend where I said "I probably should stay off this thing" and then went and drank for 12 hours. Long story short... Two weeks later I was in boot (named Peggy) and out of the Flying Pig for 2012.

The point of the story is until recently I was not even allowed to walk the dog long distances, exercise with impact to my foot was out. So, I was lazy. I didn't exercise at all, and took a deep dive into comfort food.

My foot is still a little off, and I still need to get some injections, but I am back walking distances, now I just need to get the calories in order.

I am doing several different things to improve the way I eat. I am using a Calorie Counter App on my phone and Ipad to count calories. It's a great app, the best I've seen. The best is that it has fast food and popular restaurants, so it is easy to eat out. I have also given up dairy. Prior to this intervention, my diet was predominately cheese and milk based. Grilled cheese, mac and cheese, broccoli and cheese soup, cereal with milk, ice cream. I have switched to almond milk, given up most cheese products and overall I've been feeling better. (full disclosure: For dinner last night I had Chipotle with Extra Cheese and a pint of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream- and I felt like CRAP)

Supplement wise, I began taking Green Coffee Extract yesterday. Dr. Oz recommended it on his show. I mean, if Dr. Oz says it work, I'll try it. It says right on the bottle burn fat, lose weight, feel great. I let you know if it works.

In addition to this, I am drinking a Body By Vi shake a day. They taste like cupcakes! I switch between breakfast and lunch, mainly because I would definitely get tired of drinking it for breakfast everyday and when I drink it for lunch I am starving by 3pm.

My current goal is pretty simple. Fit into this dress. On Sale. Cute. Size Medium. Too much in the middle, too much in the back to fit.

I have to say, exercising and eating right does make me feel better overall. But I also want to reinforce that I hate the word "FAT", you won't ever see me use the word in this blog. This goal is not about being skinny, it is about feeling good and healthy. I have been blessed being raised by very strong women who did not put emphasis on being skinny, but being happy with yourself.