It's Never Too Late to Start!

For me, the hardest part of getting back into shape is finding the motivation to do so. I find it so much easier to just sit on the couch and watch YouTube videos of Shane Dawson eating some obscenely fatty foods or family vloggers running around with their kids hoping and dreaming I'll have that one day. There is just one problem about that...I'm never going to get anywhere closer to my goal if I don't do anything to achieve it. While it would be so much more fun to partake in those activities, I know I will look back and wish that I had done more to better myself. I don't think I will ever regret not watching enough YouTube videos. 

So often, people reach a point where they want to change but they feel as if it is too late, that changing now won't make a difference, or that they aren't ready for a drastic change! That is not the case! It is never too late nor does it have to be drastic! All it takes is little changes such as: limiting your soda intake, drinking more water, cutting back on certain foods, etc. Those little changes will help you to start to feel better and realize that your goal is indeed attainable! 

As of May 10th, 2016, I started tracking my daily calorie intake using a wonderful app called "Lose It!". Now keep in mind, it is not the app that is helping me lose weight or feel better. It is myself making conscious choices in regards to what I eat. I track everything I eat, good or bad. I make sure I don't leave anything out. That does not mean that I deprive myself of things that I like such as: ice cream, cookies, and coffee (I love coffee 😍). However with counting calories, I am much more aware of what I am eating and how much I am eating. So on occasion, if my calories allow me to, I may treat myself to a cookie or an ice cream cone from Hasty Freeze. I don't believe depriving yourself is a good way to lose weight, because all it will take is one bad or stressful day and that will be the first thing you grab. And I can honestly say that whenever I am stressed out, the LAST thing I look at is the serving size. But remembering that having things in moderation allows you to enjoy those treats without feeling guilty. 

Since counting calories, I also look for alternatives to things that I love. A prime example is coffee. I love coffee, but going to Starbucks everyday and getting my favorite drink (Iced White Chocolate Mocha w/ estimated calories for a grande = 450) is definitely not beneficial to my weight loss goals. That doesn't mean that I will NEVER get a drink at Starbucks again, but I will not make it a regular occurrence. Instead, I search the internet (mostly Pinterest) for recipes on how to make coffee taste good, but not have too many calories. I now have a coffee "recipe" that I can make that tastes great and still is under 100 calories. Très Magnifique!

So, this is my journey thus far. Making small changes and living a healthier lifestyle. I can tell you from my personal experience that these changes have made an impact on my life already. I feel better physically, not as weighed down by all the unhealthy foods I was eating. I feel better mentally, knowing that I can in fact free myself from the burden of food. And knowing this fact has made me realize that with these little changes I can become the best version of me, both mentally and physically. It won't be easy, nor will it happen over night. However, once I reach my goal, I will be able to look back at my journey and say, "It was TOTALLY worth it!"