6 Months: Healthier

Me: as I jogged in freezing downtown Rochester this week.

It's been six whole months since I got off my butt, put on my running shoes and started my journey to get healthy.

So how's it going? Some days: good. Some days: not so good. 

The good news is I've lost a little more than 30 pounds. I've gone from a size 12 to a six ... almost a four. I've walked or ran more than 300 miles. I have totally changed the way I live. I'm making better choices for my body and that makes me happy. Just this weekend I (power) walked 12.31 miles in a single day. I can feel my muscles tightening and I'm stronger than I've ever been.

Mike: hiking this past weekend

Mike too has embraced healthy living. He's lost more than 20 pounds (I think it's closer to 30, but we're not quite sure of his highest weight); and in January alone he's run or walked just over a 100 miles. He's discovered he loves to hike, something he couldn't do 20 or 30 pounds ago. He's had to toss not one, but two belts that no longer do him any good ... even on the last, tightest notch they won't keep his pants up. 

But I did say there was some bad ... even with all this diet and exercise, my blood pressure has not come down. I have bad genes when it comes to blood pressure and it looks like I'll have to take medication for the rest of my life. But thank goodness there is such medication.

The worst part is ... six months into this process and it's not easy. Eating right is hard. I want junk. I like junk. Every single day I have to convince myself I need to make better choices. Running, walking, and any sort of exercise are never my first choice of activity. I have to talk myself into working out, each and every day. I read an article recently that the older you get the harder it is to change your eating habits. You teach your body what to crave, what it likes ... and if you wait too long you can't reteach your body. There are days I feel like I've waited too long, and that I'll always crave an ice cream sundae and chili-cheese dog. But I've been pushing trough it and I hope at some point it will get a little easier.

Me: this week. Check out my arms -- less flab, more muscle.

BUT. I'm determined to focus on the good. I do feel better. And I look better. Mike keeps telling me that this is the skinniest he's ever seen me. I'm not really going for skinny (though I'm happy to be a smaller size) ... I'm going for healthier, less achy and more mobile. I also want to build a life that teaches my children to live healthy lives. In a world of iPads, video games, in demand everything, I want to teach my kids to get out, get moving and take care of themselves. And the best way to do that is through example.

I can't wait to see what the next 6 months hold -- half marathon, toning, size four -- whatever it holds will be good for me, good for my body and good for my soul.