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Introduction Text *** 2012 *** After last summer, I seemed to gradually slow down and relax more than usual. I felt a lot of stress from trying to keep up with everyone else's progress. As motivating as it's supposed to be to see other people succeeding in meeting their goals, it seems to stress me out. If I can't workout one day due to something at home or working a little later, or being out of routine, I just FALL off this "wagon". Not intentional of course, but it just happens and I struggle to get back up. The sad thing is that I know I'm ruining whatever progress I've just made by not pushing harder to stay on the wagon. I don't do resolutions but this year I really do want to get better about staying on that wagon and being confident with consistency. It's great when I have a good routine going but God knows it's way too easy to fall off. I need to set smaller goals, more specific goals. My boyfriend and I got engaged over the holidays and although we don't plan to wed until Oct 2013, I know by this summer we will be looking into engagement photos and by next year it will be bridal photos... I have GOT to get in gear and make it happen. I have this horrible characteristic where I seem to do better under pressure but we all know procrastinating and waiting until the last minute will not get me the results within the time I need them in. There is no quick fix so I can't keep putting this off. As for the running goals, I think I've figured out that a 10K is my comfortable distance. I'm only as great as I can be but I admire those who have the ability to keep pushing to higher distances. At this point I don't see myself doing anything farther. I like my cute toes and don't want to worry about all the things runners deal with because they love running so much. I don't have that same passion. I do like to lift weights so mostly I want to challenge myself in that direction. Here's to making changes in 2012! Can I get an AMEN!? haha ***2011*** I am on a new chapter this year to push myself a little harder, to challenge myself more and see what I can really do! I want to prove to myself that I'm not as weak as I think and that I'm a lot stronger than I feel. I've met my goal of running a 10K this year which is super exciting to me. This was inspired after accomplishing my goal in 2010 of running a 5K. I never thought I could be a runner but each time I hit the treadmill I show myself a little at a time that I can push harder and run longer. It's not a matter of speed for me. I'm teaching myself that I CAN do it and it feels so amazing. I love what my body is able to do even when my mind wants to whine & complain that I can't. It's a struggle for me to fit exercise into my busy daily life with two active teenagers. I have my high and low days. Food isn't much of an issue for me. I have a healthy outlook on food; I love it, but it doesn't control me! I'm working towards making exercise a daily activity in my life (in one way or another). I'm a work in progress as we all are. I want to live a long and healthy life for myself and the people I love. BALANCE is what I aim for. Everything in moderation, right? *** GOALS *** 2009 - incorporate clean eating; reduce/eliminate processed food, white flour/grains [accomplished] 2010 - Run a 5K [accomplished 10/2/10] 2011 - Run a 10K [accomplished 2/26/11] 2012 - Get more confident with consistency and be ready for engagement photos by Fall. ***MY INVOLVEMENT*** I can't tell you how moved I am by the effects of cancer in the world. Words can not express how deeply I feel for anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer. Whether it was early or too late or even just suspected, your life has been changed! Because of this I want to help somehow so I participate in the occasional charity race. As most of you know, in March 2010 I cut 14 inches of my own hair to donate for children in need of a wig through Locks of Love. I was inspired by my daughter's previous efforts in 2006. My daughter donated again recently so glad I could return the favor by inspiring her to do it again :) From the fall of 2010 until the fall of 2011 I experienced some hair loss of my own. Mostly from stress which is why I took a big step back on pressuring myself. It was very hard on my self esteem. My hair was a big factor in my self confidence. Thankfully my hair has grow back. It's nothing compared to the LOSS of hair due to illness that some people endure. My first charity event was the MS Walk from 1993 or 1994. I was in high school and I asked my French teacher to help our French Club get involved. I loved it and have been hooked since. I have joined my company's team every year for the last 5 years for the Komen Race for the Cure event. In 2010 I joined Team Glazed Donut in it's efforts with the American Cancer Society for Relay for Life!! It's a 12 hr event but meeting a new people and a couple of Spark friends made it very rewarding. LET'S KICK CANCER'S BUTT!! Please keep an eye out for links to my personal websites to donate on behalf of my efforts. ANY dollar amount is greatly appreciated!!

Overall, to get rid of the extra "giggle". I don't want that little post baby pooch anymore! -reduce size of my upper arms, thighs, and butt. -trim the belly fat. -firm, tone, and strengthen everything. -increase heart health and energy. -increase intake of water. -maintain routine cardio and strength training. -resist desserts, reduce sugar intake all together. -Run a 5K (DONE 10/2/10)

Food: -Eating is 80% of your progress so I aim for clean eating as much as I can, about 80-90% of what I eat is clean. -Incorporate Protein/Carb/Fat ratio of 35/45/20 daily. -Drink at least my minimum 8 cups of water daily. I can't tell you how much just drinking water has done for me. -Eliminate artificial sweeteners. -Eliminate processed foods as much as possible. Eat Whole Foods! Physical Exercise: -Running 3x week. I want to run the 5K Komen Race for the Cure instead of just walk it like I usually do. -Sometimes I include the Cardio Kickboxing class at my gym or via Turbo Jam/Fire at home to mix things up. -Strength Training 2-3x week. "Less cardio+enough cals, clean carbs choices, and protein+challenging strength training = a body fat burning machine" ~FLEXCHEF

5'2", petite build so even a 5 lb gain is noticable. I am a 35 yrs old; live in Katy, TX (Houston suburb). I work 3 jobs (of which 2 are part time) and realizing I can't do everything. Born and raised in Texas by a single mom. I'm currently a single mom with 2 children ages 15 & 13. I have a boyfriend They are all very supportive and I hope to be a healthy role model for them and everyone else in my life that I love. Currently reading "Naturally Thin" and "The Skinnygirl Dish" by Bethany Frankel as well as "Master your Metabolism" by Jillian Michaels. It's full of good info. It's a lot to take in.

-cooking -music -reading -fitness -red wine -dancing -learning to fish -friends -photography -French & Italian(everything) -foreign movies -laughing -spicy foods (indian, cajun, thai, mexican...) -exploring new foods -history (The Plague, Jack the Ripper, Queen Elizabeth I)

Add a Link Whatever your goal is, do it for YOU! Finding yourself is a journey you should make a point to take...explore. Enjoy a little French Skincare and embrace your natural beauty!<link>www.votrevu.com/julieleithner</link> Visit my blog! <link>www.thelittletexasturtle.wordpress.com</link> Get to know me on FB ;)<link>www.facebook.com/#/profile.php?v=info&ref=name&id=792883146</link>
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