a progress report of sorts

Recently, I've talked frequently about how my reading resolution has been going but I haven't really touched on how any of my other resolutions have been coming along. Specifically, my fitness resolutions. I am often hesitant to talk fitness on the blog because I know some people really don't like hearing about it that much, but I have come to the realization that this is my blog and my space and I like talking about it, so I'm going to talk about it.

At the beginning of the month I made the following goals:
-Complete the Fitness Magazine Fitness Resolution in the month of January
-Add healthier recipes
-Exercise at least 3 times a week
-Fruits and Veggies Daily

As far as the Fitness Resolution from Fitness Magazine, I quit. I am still working out at least 3 times a week (and last week I worked out six(!) times) but decided that the fitness program from the magazine was just not for me. When I said I wanted to complete that, it was a complete food and fitness plan that I thought would be good for me since I like structure. Instead, it made me weird. It made me bored with the workouts and it made me start getting weird about calories. Instead of going crazy, I took a different path where I could vary my workouts and eat more of what I want. I am proud of that decision.

I made the goal of at least 3 times a week because I LOVE to exercise, but in the past six months it had really become sporadic. It is something I love to do, but sometimes I struggle to fit it in. So this year I'm going to be working hard and I'm fitting it in! I have proved to myself this month that it is possible. For the fruits and veggies, I've been making smoothies and adding more vegetables in my meals. I revamped my Pinterest boards to include healthier recipes and to take out some of the awful ones. I'm really cleaning up my eating life and I'm feeling good about it (and good about the fact that I'm still letting myself indulge if I want. balance!). Big thanks to Tamara for her assistance in the food category. It makes it easier to walk past the candy aisle when I know I have to tell the mean running trainer that I ate a Snickers ;)

So am I seeing results? Yes! Since I measured at the beginning of the month, I've lost an inch from my waist. That is where I have the most concern, so that's what I've been focusing on measurement-wise. I store weight in my midsection, which is a high-risk area for heart disease, so I'm really trying to rid myself of that trouble area. I'm proud to say I am! (and I am now in a competition with my husband: Who Can Get a Six Pack First 2013 haha. I'm totally going to win.)! It's nice to feel strong and fit.

please excuse my super weird yellowy bathroom lighting. blerg.

And while it's not about the size for me, it was really nice seeing the smaller size when I went to get some new workout clothes last week. A size I never thought I would be, to boot!

I wanted to post this for my own records, but I also wanted to post it for those of you who made fitness goals for this year. To tell you that you can do it, you can see results, you can change your habits, and you can reach those goals you have set for yourself! And if you need some encouragement, let me know! We can encourage each other as we go in our journey towards living our healthiest life.