Page Title

Introduction Text Here we are, once again. It seems no matter how much time has passed I can always count on SparkPeople to be here when I need it! The last time I updated my profile I was still living in Houston working as a food writer and struggling with the demands of my job(s) while staying healthy and fit. It was a constant uphill battle (too bad that hill didn't count as exercise!) and I am still working on some of those pounds. Why? Well, because we moved to South Carolina in March of 2018 and despite regular workouts and efforts to eat better the scale only kinda budged. THEN I got the surprise of my life when I found out I was pregnant in early 2019. Without getting too personal, this was a MUCH hoped for pregnancy but one that was still a complete shock and as such I wasn't comfortable going drastic in any one direction re calories, exercise, etc. I tried to just coast through and eat right but not be super obsessed with fitness beyond basics. At the same time, literally, we moved to our current home on 50 acres and started home renovations. We have big plans for this land but most got put on hold for the year with all else that was going on. Now that the house is more or less good for now, my sweet one is here and I have been cleared for workouts, I am READY! My eating has been more or less abysmal since late October when he was born and while I have had some good weeks the overall status was pretty pathetic. My motivation is honestly a bit low, though, because I remember how long I had tried to lose the food writing weight and how difficult that was proving. Of course, at that time I was also trying to get pregnant and was hyper-aware of anything I was doing that might impact our chances (it was a very long journey to parenthood and by the time we got lucky I had been through the emotional and physical wringer so many times that every action was overanalyzed. Healthy? No. But it was what it was.). So, that in a nutshell is my past couple of years give or take. I need to find my old fire of nutrition love, fitness love, etc. We have enough property now where I could do all my workouts onsite and never have to leave home (weather permitting). Baby isn't old enough to come on anything more than a vigorous hike so that is one challenge; I want to get back to trail running but this will have to be when someone else is around to watch him. Once he is old enough for the jogging stroller we'll make regular outings to the nearby rails to trails paths and that will be awesome! I also want to keep a mental balance of all these new directions. I don't want to get so hung up on calorie counting that I have no enjoyment - life is too short and if anything the past few years have taught me, it's that. Of course, being healthy is a significant factor in extending life and quality of life too. We just can't get so focused one way that we lose sight of the big picture. Rambling as usual, I'll leave things there for now. Glad to be back. Let's do this! :)

Hit goal weight or as close as possible by January 1!

- enjoy everything in moderation - try to follow the food writing strategy of "one bite for flavor, one bite to savor" (always a battle!) - stick to a consistent workout program of running, spinning, and yoga.

Originally from North Carolina, got to Texas by way of Virginia and now live on 50 acres in Upstate South Carolina. I'm a technical writer in oil & gas and freelance food and lifestyle writer & photographer. Mother of two super cats (not literally of course :)), an irresistable Spangold Retriever, a foster dog, and four backyard chickens. Bok Bok!

"It's not where you are, but what you do there that matters." - African proverb

Add a Link "It's not where you are but what you do there that matters." African proverb
Save Changes