My journey is a roller coaster

Without meaning to, I gained some of my weight back. The stress of many months of unemployment has gotten the better of me. I gave into all temptations over the holidays.

Because of that, last month I couldn't wear a single pair of my zip/button pants. Not one. Yesterday I put on, zipped up and buttoned all 4 pairs that I tried on! It felt so good to put on pants that I bought last year and wear them out to dinner. No stretchy skirt needed to hide the spare tire that I put on over the past year.

I knew I was making big mistakes. I needed to make changes and I needed to take my weight gain seriously.

Over the last few weeks I've modified my daily diet by cutting calorie corners, making better choices, eating more greens, adding more protein and it's paying off! I sadly gained 10 holiday pounds and those pounds are finally starting to melt away. I lost 2.5 pounds last week alone!

I'm burning up the calories this month! Trying new workouts and changing it up. I started taking Zumba classes 2-3 times a week and loving every single class! I took three months off of my beloved Spin classes during the holidays due to illness and finally got my butt back on the bike two weeks ago. On Saturdays I take a resistance strength training class at the local Rec Center to change up my usual weekday Curves ST program.

I took a boxing class that kicked my butt last month. I did my best to keep up with the fit young men in the class and I held my own (except when it comes to doing a perfect pushup). Nonetheless, the teacher was impressed with my cardio fitness. I've been meaning to take the class again but at $15 a class, it doesn't fit into my current and very tight budget. But since taking the class, I've been working harder on pushups, wall sits, crunches, and modified planks. This morning I saw more definition in my shoulders and arms while brushing my teeth!

I am determined to stick with it. I will and can lose those holiday pounds and then some! I'm far from my lowest weight but that's okay. I got there once and this time I will get there with a stronger sense of self.