Here comes the exhale...

This entry is going to be the hardest one I've ever had to write, so please be gentle with your judgements and forgive my scattered thoughts. I'm sure I've said that before...but back then I didn't know how good I had it. I haven't written an entry since April. You could say I've been holding my breath this year. Trying to keep in all of the chaos and trauma and heartbreak and emotion. But it's the end of 2018 and it's finally time to exhale. So brace yourselves. And if you get through this whole entry, then thank you for listening. If not, that's okay too. Either way...as always...I write these for me. And it's time.

At the end of 2016, I was stressed out. My husband's job was being threatened and we were sure he'd lose it. But he didn't. And life went on. At the end of 2017, he DID lose his job and I was stressed out. 2 months later, he got his job back, but it came with a mandatory relocation. Across the country. And I was even more stressed out. Fast forward to now and I'd give anything to go back to just being "stressed out".

Now...this is a health and weight loss blog. So while this is MY blog and technically I can write about whatever I want, I will tell you right now that I'm not going to go into graphic detail about exactly why 2018 was the worst year of my life and the lives of my family. If we are good friends...you probably already know. And if you already know, you know that the "graphic details" should never and will never be aired on social media (if I can at all help it) as it's not solely my story to tell and frankly, as my friends and family keep reminding me...it's not really anyone's business. But 2018 had a profound effect on my health, both physically and mentally, and since writing is my favorite and most effective form of therapy (even my therapist agrees)...that's what I'm going to do.

One thing in 2018 that has had an effect on my health that I WILL tell you all about is the car accident I was in on May 19, 2018. I was rear ended on my way home from the dollar store a mile from my home. At the time, it didn't seem like it was all that bad. Yes, my rear lift-gate was damaged and needed thousands of $'s in repairs, but my airbag didn't go off and no one was severely injured. But within an hour, whiplash set in and I ended up in the ER twice within a week having every test possible run. Of course all that they found was "soft tissue damage" and I was told to ice it and take ibuprofen. That was in May. Now as the year closes out, I still deal with fairly frequent headaches and neck pain that only deep massage and a good snap from my chiropractor can help. I don't tell you all this to complain, but for someone who's life revolved around fitness this time a year ago, it has put a real damper on things. But still...this obstacle, for me, falls under my old definition of "stressed out". The one that really just seems silly now. But having that kind of almost daily discomfort/sometimes pain seems to exacerbate things, so it plays its part.

2018 ripped my life out from underneath me. "New year, new me" is a cliche phrase that we hear every January 1. I'm sure I've even used it in a blog entry at some point. But this year it holds all new meaning.

I am going into 2019 as a newly single, full-time mother of 4. Well...3 and a missionary currently serving in Durban, South Africa.

I am going into 2019 living with my (incredibly selfless) parents in Florida. If you know me, I HATE humidity and this was never in my plans.

I am going into 2019 without the job that I loved and at one time was passionate about.

I am going into 2019 with newly acquired depression and anxiety that push me to my limits on an almost daily basis.

I am going into 2019 without the amazing support system that I had back in UT, though they all do their best to keep in touch via chat/text...and I am struggling to open up enough to try and build relationships like that here.

I am going into 2019 extremely vulnerable and terrified of putting my full trust in anyone.

I am going into 2019 weighing over 290lbs...and at a point where my poor health didn't even rank in the top 5 on this list. This one has been very hard on me considering it wasn't much more than a year ago that I had lost more than 100lbs and was feeling the best I'd felt in my life.

I don't even recognize myself anymore. A year ago, life was amazing. I was happy. I truly had everything I wanted. My family, my job, my friends, my church, my health, my dreams...I was a bit spoiled! In an instant, it was all taken away. 2018 truly broke me. I am not the same Jill I was.

In that instant, it was like everything health related that I had spent the last 7 years of my life learning and building and working towards was forgotten. Lost. Unimportant. Food was once again my best friend. Exercise was an inconvenience. I mean, who wants to drive 25 mins to get to the gym where they don't know anyone? Well, I'm sure some people do, but I miss my workout buddies something fierce. My priorities no longer had any room for ME. For my health.

They say you can only focus your attention and will power on so many things at a time and that has proven so very true this year. But surprisingly (not), the heavier and more out of shape I've gotten since the end of May...the harder it's been to manage all of those things that ARE on my priorities list. Go figure huh? Who knew. *raises hand*. And yet...despite KNOWING that...it didn't matter. The effort that I know it takes for my body to shed weight and be strong and healthy...was no longer worth it to me.

Are ya still reading or have I depressed you enough to quit yet? But seriously...who is this person! This is not me! I'm usually miss optimistic. This is not the me that I worked so hard to bring out! It's not fair! I know change is supposed to help us grow and adversity make us stronger but THIS IS NOT FAIR! This trial can be over now...please and thank you. Because I don't know how much more I can take.

But if I've learned anything this year...it's that I am incredibly strong. Even when I really, REALLY don't want to be. My lock screen on my phone has said "I can do hard things" for almost 7 months now and it won't change anytime soon. Because I need that daily reminder. I can do hard things. And that includes finding a way to take what I've been given and using it as the first step on this all new path I've been set on. I can't control the things that have happened/were done to myself or to my family, but I can control how I let it determine the rest of my life. And while I know 2019 will still have many days where the fetal position is the only appealing course of action...it is going to be better than 2018. It has to be.

So to add to my list above:

I am going into 2019 with new opportunities and possibilities for the future.

I am going into 2019 as a certified Personal Trainer/Group Fitness instructor/Licensed Zumba/Pound Instructor.

I am going into 2019 as a BYU undergrad on track to (finally) finish her Bachelor's degree in Psychology.

I am going into 2019 with the most amazing and resilient children you will ever meet (I'm a tad biased, but it's true nonetheless) and I'm going to watch them overcome their own nightmares to do amazing things with their lives.

I am going into 2019 with great friends. Both old, new, and those still to come.

I am going into 2019 with 2 parents and 3 sisters who love me unconditionally despite my current state...and who have taken my kids and I in and helped us to find a new life here in good old FL.

I am going into 2019 with an understanding that I will probably never be back at a weight that appeals to the general public...and that's okay.

I am going into 2019 with the same food addiction issues I've struggled with my whole life, but with a desire to continue fighting against them. I'm not ready to give up.

I am going into 2019 with 2018 in my rear view mirror as much as possible. I know that 2018 will be a year that bleeds into every other year going forward, but it will not define me or my children.

*inhales*

*exhales*

Let's do this.

The spiral to beat all spirals...

This blog entry is really hard for me to write, but that just means I need to do it that much more. I haven't been this embarrassed since I started losing weight to begin with and that's saying something. I've fallen "off the wagon" before, but nothing like this and never for this long. So I'm just gonna say it.

This morning, I saw 268 on the scale. Yes. 268. That's up 46 lbs since Halloween. FORTY-SIX. And at least 20 of that is just in the past month. What the hell happened?? I gave up. That's what happened. The holidays brought your typical treats and food binges, but then my husband lost his job and I let the stress get to me. My food addiction has been in full swing and in complete control for the past several months. I've had bad weeks before but this was unprecedented. I kept waiting for it to "pass", but I just sank deeper and deeper. I...did...not...care. I have seriously never cared less about what I put into my body. As a fitness instructor and nutrition coach who runs a weight loss group...it's horrifying for me to type that.

I'm sure some people are thinking that maybe there's something medically wrong going on in my body to gain so much weight so fast...but if you knew all the things I'd eaten over the past 4-5 months, you'd quickly change your mind. I did this to myself. And it breaks my heart. I've almost completely undone all the hard work I did last year and it makes me SO MAD.

But this isn't about the number on the scale, horrifying as it is. It's about how I feel. And I feel like CRAP.

-I no longer fit into most of my clothes
-Teaching my classes is 10 times harder and I know my students can tell
-I have very little energy to do things and am tired ALL the time
-I don't sleep well anymore
-Sitting in certain chairs has gotten difficult again
-I can't cross my legs the way I used to
-I only work out when I'm being paid to
-I'm lucky if I eat one or two fruits/veggies a week
-I no longer know how to help other people with their own struggles

Trying to run Jilly's Losers started to feel so hypocritical that I put the group on a mandatory break about a month ago. I had to. I couldn't do it anymore. How can I coach and inspire other people to become healthier when I had no desire to take care of ME?

I can't keep doing this to myself. Why can't I find a freaking balance between extremes? I don't do well in moderation. I can't control my sugar/food addiction any more than anyone can control any other addiction. AND IT PISSES ME OFF!!!!

But at least now I can say that some of my surrounding circumstances have changed. Maybe that will help pull me out of this seemingly bottomless pit. Nathan got a job and I quit mine. I will continue teaching Zumba, but I will no longer be working the front desk at the gym. This will allow me to be home for dinner most nights, which I think will make the biggest difference. The last thing I've wanted to do the past few months is cook myself dinner when I get home at 9pm. So it's been quick drive-thru options really late at night....several times a week. Not anymore. Not only has it been adding the lbs back on but it's been extremely hard on my wallet and that has to stop.

Noticing how much sugar we've been having around the house lately, my children have asked if we could all do a no sugar challenge until my birthday in June. I'm glad it was their idea because that's the only way I think I'd ever have agreed. I can do anything for my kids. I know...I should do it for me...but right now, this is all I've got. So starting today, it's all been tossed out. No more desserts. I'm not going to go as extreme as I did this time last year and beat myself up about carbs AND sugar at the same time...I'm just going to give up the sweets and go from there.

I'll add in more fruits and veggies and whole grains...and water. LOTS of water. No more soda for a while. I just need to go back to basics...and more importantly...to fueling my body so that it feels GOOD again. I miss feeling good. I miss feeling strong. I want that back. I don't care what the scale says as long as I FEEL good. So that's my goal. Pamper my body with foods that make it feel good...and get in a few workouts a week that I'm not being paid to do. I miss the workouts I was doing for ME. I love teaching so very much. It is my passion. But when I teach, it's for my students, its' not for me. And I miss that.

So it's back to day 1...again...for the millionth time. And I'd appreciate any support and encouragement I can get. And please...DO NOT BRING MY FAMILY TREATS ANYMORE! haha. It's time to re-learn how to tell myself...NO.

Week 1...the good the bad and the blah...

So obviously, my schedule these days is not conducive to a daily blog entry and that's okay. It'll make them a little less boring...maybe? Week 1 actually went pretty well. I didn't stick to keto 100% like I did the first time around, but 90% lost me 7.8lbs in week 1 so I'm happy about it! I know it was 7.8lbs that was mostly water and all put on pretty recently, but at least it came back off quickly.

As always, the problem is sticking to it. The problem with NOT going 100% like I did last year is that after I weigh-in with my group on Tuesdays, I tend to reward myself with a treat meal. What's wrong with that? Nothing...in theory...if I kept it at just one meal. And I thought I could. But then Wednesday afteroon, my daughter brought home a box of World's Finest chocolates to sell for the National Jr. Honor Society and the rest is history.

I had 3 chocolate bars (luckily they're skinnier and thinner than the last time I remember eating them so at least there's that...)...and then that set off ALLLLLL the cravings. I think I had an omelette in there somewhere yesterday to pretend I was being healthy...but most of the day was sugar. Tootsie rolls, mini cheesecakes, caramels....and a whopper and fries at 10:30pm cause I was bumming about a rough volleyball game and of course that must mean I'm dying of starvation and need a whopper, right? Cause who doesn't. Also...fry sauce.

Ugh....

Why do I do this to myself? I know I'm not the only one either. I was telling my group this morning that I wish I were one of those people who just really isn't that big into food and only eats cause they need to to live. I mean yes...I am glad I enjoy eating, but wish maybe I just enjoyed it a lot less. I know more people who are food addicts than people who are food toleraters...but they do exist! Strange people they are :P (Sorry Liz! haha) And sometimes I'm jealous.

I really don't want to re-gain those 7.8lbs though and I know I'm going to eat some fun things while we watch the Super Bowl on Sunday (GO PATS!!!!) so I need to get back on track HARD today. Stating that outloud (or whatever you call this) helps me to feel more committed in doing that. And it's not just about not wanting to re-gain weight. I feel like absolute crap when I eat that way. If only that were enough to make me stop, right?

So today's a new day. I'll keep it clean and get in a good workout teaching Zumba tonight and then I will NOT have fast food for dinner. Shouldn't be anyway. Need the $.

But man was that whopper good...

Day 3...when your body fights you on it...

Yesterday was another success food wise! I didn't even eat any Halo Top! My good friend, Maren, made me some healthy granola that I was pretty excited about...so I may have eaten an extra serving there, but still kept my macros in check.

Yesterday's issue was more physical. It seems I pulled a glute muscle playing volleyball Wednesday night...and I also have junk settling back into my chest again, so I'm not feeling super fantastic. Both of those things compounding made it hard to teach my Zumba class last night, but I faked my way through it. The hardest thing about not feeling well is avoiding the tendency to comfort myself with food. I wanted to. I really wanted to. But I didn't. I know it would've made me feel better in the moment, but I would've felt yuckier this morning.

Physical ailments also cause severe sleep deprivation, so I'm writing this blog on about 3 hrs of sleep and I'm sure I'm rambling. Sorry about that! But I know how important sleep is to my health and so when I don't get it, it tends to affect my whole day. So this is me telling you that I won't let it do that today. I won't let my lack of sleep become an excuse to eat whatever I want today. I will fuel my body properly because I know it will help me feel better faster. (Yeah, I'm pretty much writing this to convince myself at this point.) I won't eat crap today, I won't eat crap today...

My hubby did find me my new favorite breakfast though. I love omelettes, but suck at making them. He found these things called "Just crack an egg" and they're DELICIOUS! So I'll start there.

Time to end the rambling. Without even reading back I know this blog entry is a mess. Maybe I'll go take a napzzzzzzzzzzzz

Day 2...trying to be positive...

Why is it that the first day of anything seems to last FOREVERRRR. I'm proud to say I made it through Day 1 successfully and saw a 2lb drop on the scale this morning...though I know that's just water weight. It's still nice to see that what I'm eating actually does matter and make a difference. I will admit that when I got home at 11pm last night from a volleyball game (which we won, woohoo!) that I ate an entire pint of Halo Top peanut butter ice cream...but I had saved enough carbs to do so, so I don't feel bad in the slightest. I didn't intend on eating the whole thing, but I got so into watching "This is Us" that I didn't realize I'd finished it off, till I did. I'm grateful for keto friendly desserts!

This week in my Jilly's Losers group, I decided to do a body positivity challenge because I'd noticed a lot of people putting themselves down over their weight or their looks or their habits, including me. The timing of this challenge is perfect for me because it's helping me to focus on my WHY again. It's also helping me to remember just how far I've come. Today's challenge was to take a full body picture in an outfit that we feel sexiest or most confident in. In a challenge like this, I know I need to set the example, so I got showered, curled my hair, did my makeup and put on a pair of skinny jeans and a long sleeve top...both of which I'd bought a few months ago at Old Navy to show myself I could fit into a smaller size and that I wasn't in fact "too fat" to wear them! After a tough couple of months with food (freaking holidays!), I wasn't sure I'd be able to get them on today....

...but I did! And I feel good! I told everyone they had to be smiling in their pictures and that they weren't allowed to say ANYTHING negative about them. I'll admit that part was hard for me. I wanted to point out the little bulges and imperfections...but I didn't. I smiled and I owned it. And I'm proud of that. (not proud of the mess on the floor behind me, but I'll get to it haha).

I still have a long way to go with my weight/body fat composition and more clothing sizes to drop...but I have definitely gotten better at loving my body at every stage of this journey. It's strong and it's healthy and it does things I never thought it ever could. So here's to day 2. I'm ready for ya.

Accountability...Day 1

One of the main reasons I created "Jilly's Losers" back in 2011 was to give myself accountability on my weight loss journey. Having to weigh in with my friends and post pictures and do challenges made it easier to keep my motivation up. After doing those things for more than 6 years, I guess it shouldn't surprise me that having to do those things doesn't even phase me anymore. Telling people my weight or posting a picture in a sports bra is just another day for me and that's making it hard for me to keep my motivation up for more than a week or two at a time. Needless to say, I'm feeling frustrated.

I made it through January 12th with no sugar and low carb before I headed out on vacation to meet my new, adorable nephew in New Jersey! I actually didn't eat as horribly as I normally would on vacation. My sister and I made some really healthy meals and only ate out twice. I was pretty proud of us. But I still caved on the sugar and ate more carbs than I had been and as has become predictable with me...it triggered another fall off the wagon once I got home. Writing about this stuff is getting old, but at the same time I can acknowledge that over the past 6 years...the times I was doing the best were the times I was consistently writing in my blog and tracking my food on MFP. I'm sure I've said that before as well, but hey...sometimes we forget ;)

All this extra holiday weight really is making me feel like crap. Not because I "feel fat" but because I have less energy, my stomach feels heavy and in knots and I feel on the verge of illness all the time when I'm not fueling my body properly. And yet I keep doing it! (And I know many people who do!) So rather than waiting for "Monday" or "January 1" to roll around again, I'm gonna start today. Again. For the 2098234th time. (Get used to it, I'll be writing entries like this for the rest of my life haha).

So this is day 1. Again. As hard as the ketogenic diet is during those first 2 weeks, I still remember how much I LOVED it once I got going last year and how easy it became. So I just need to fake it till I make it through those first 2 weeks and then I'll be fine. Lucky you, this means (hopefully) daily blog entries again just to help push myself through it. I've got my pepperoni and cheese snacks stocked up, I've made some low-carb/no sugar cheesecake bars for my "treats"  and I've got my pinterest fired up and ready to go.

At this point, it's not even so much about the weight loss that I know will come from doing it (though it's always nice). I am just really tired of feeling gross. No more.

Jilly's Losers Season 35 Rules!!

1. Season 35 will begin on Tuesday, January 9, 2018. It will last 8 weeks and our final weigh-in will be on Tuesday, March 6.

2. The buy-in fee this season will be $25. This is a singles season. Fees should be sent via Paypal to Jillyslosers@gmail.com with the note “Season 35 buyin fee” and your name. All fees MUST be paid by January 16. Make sure to mark your payments as being sent to family and friends to avoid any PayPal fees.

3. This season we’re going to try something a little different. Since we have so many people participating, it will be like we’re actually running multiple competitions at one time. Here’s how it will work! There will be two separate weight loss competitions going on. They will be separated by weight grouping. The final groups will depend on where everyone stands at the starting weigh-in, but ideally they will be something like this:

Group 1: (Weight 200 and under)
Group 2: (Weight 201 and up)

If after our starting weigh-in, I find that the groups are severely imbalanced, I’ll adjust accordingly. You will only be competing against those within your own group for weight loss! What this means is that there will be more winners as well! Each group’s prize pot will be equivalent to the # of people in that group. The person with the highest % of weight loss in each group will win 60% of their group’s prize pot. 2nd place will win 30% of their group’s pot. And the remaining 10% will go to a points winner, which will be explained below. (NOTE: All prizes are given after challenge rewards are paid out and 15% is taken out of the pot for myself since I was forced to promise I would do so during our last season! Thanks guys, I appreciate it.)

NOTE: For those of us who are current group members returning for season 35, your final season 34 weight and your starting season 35 weight will be compared and the lower of the 2 will be used as your OFFICIAL season 35 starting weight! (If for whatever reason you chose to skip the final weigh-in of season 34, your week 5 weight will be used in comparison) This means that if you start season 35 higher than you ended season 34, those extra lbs won’t count towards your weight loss. Let’s start the new year off right and don’t spend the first week overindulging. We did that all last month haha. For those who are coming in brand new…Please don’t make me be the bad guy. I know it’s tempting to eat all the food the night before starting a new health plan, but please keep things honest and do not pad your starting weight this way.(HUGE week 1 weight loss will be viewed with suspicion) This group is very much about honesty. I know that it can be hard between seasons to keep control over our eating, but let’s all try not to go too crazy!

4. Regarding weigh-ins: We have mandatory weekly weigh-ins every Tuesday. (Why Tuesdays? Because that's the day that The Biggest Loser aired on NBC when I started this group and it's just stuck!) Your weight picture must be posted by midnight MST to count! Please weigh in under the same circumstances every week (morning/night/clothed or not, etc) As for strikes...you are allowed 2 missed weigh-ins per person. That's 1 per month (or 2 in a row). On the 3rd missed weigh-in, you will be disqualified and you will not get your $ refunded. (You may continue to stay in the group and weigh-in but you will not be eligible to win any $ or prizes either from challenges or the final weigh-in) Remember that weigh-ins must be a picture of the # on your scale. Not just a post of your weight. I will also allow a picture of any weight watchers weigh in stickers as I know a few people in our group participate in those weekly weigh-ins and I know they are legit. Just make sure that you use the same scale all season. (At the very least, you MUST use the same scale for your starting and final weights)

5. Before pictures are MANDATORY. The pictures may be with or without a shirt (you'll notice more of a change if you do it without), but they must be full body pictures. If your before picture is not submitted within the first week of competition (by January 16), you will be disqualified. (If you submitted an "after" picture for season 34, that will count as your "before" picture for season 35) Those who win prizes at the end of the season will not receive their prize money until an AFTER picture has been submitted and they must do so within 48 hrs of the winning announcement.
NOTE: Newcomers to this group always worry that their pictures posted in the group will show up for the public to see. This group is secret. As long as you are on the group wall BEFORE posting your pictures, no one will see them but those in the group. Your pictures will show up on your own feed when you view it, but I promise you no one else can see it!

6. Starting and final weights will be confirmed with a KEY WORD. This is to ensure that starting and ending pictures are truly taken on the day of the weigh-in and not before. I will post the KEY WORD in this group the night before the first and last weigh-ins. It should be written on a piece of paper or notecard and placed at your feet in the front of your scale before taking your picture.

7. We will continue doing weekly challenges. I try to come up with new challenges whenever, possible, but for those of you who have been around a while, I'm sorry to say you will see some repeats! Each challenge will have different rewards/prizes that will hopefully help keep people motivated. There will even be a couple big prizes depending on how large a group we have! And it looks like it will be a HUGE one!

8. POINTS!!! As mentioned above, we will be tracking points this season for various things.

POINTS SYSTEM DETAILS!!! (borrowed from sixsistersstuff.com) -There is a weekly point calendar for each of the 8 weeks. (It will be posted as a separate document under the “Files” tab on the group page) Print it out and use to track your points and weight loss. If you prefer to use an excel spreadsheet that will do your math for you, Cody Mecham made one a few seasons ago that we’ve updated and will post as well for you to download.

-Beginning on Week #2 there is a double point challenge (highlighted in yellow)

-You can exercise each day, but you will only receive points for exercising 5 days a week.

-You can avoid carbs after lunch every day, but you’ll only receive points for doing so 4 times in a week (Carbs in this case is referring to the obvious…breads, pastas, cereal, grains/oatmeal etc, sweets. Fruits and veggies are FINE!)

-You can choose to not eat sugar/treats each day, but you will only receive points for not eating sugar on 6 days (everyone needs a free day!).

-There is a sample food journal that you can use or you can use your own kind of food journal to keep track of what you eat.

-Daily contact with teammate: It’s amazing the strength that comes from encouragement from your teammates! We said that you could email, call, or text someone in the group to encourage them to have a healthy day. It helps knowing that you are all in this together and makes you accountable for what you do or don’t do. Posting or commenting on the group page also counts. Hitting LIKE does NOT count!

-Example of maintenance points – If your weight is the same or lower than your lowest weight of the season, you will get 5 points. There will be no points this season for losing so that will save everyone some math!

NOTE!!!!! Points totals MUST be sent to Jill Tracy via PRIVATE message by midnight MST each Tuesday. With such a large group, I’m afraid there will be no exceptions. If you forget to tell me one week…they won’t count. I’m sorry!

9. Remember that this group is about gaining health and losing weight through eating right and exercising. EXTREME FAD DIETS/PILLS/POWDERS/CLEANSES ETC ARE NOT ALLOWED!!. Weight Watchers and things like that are fine, but no pills/drops/powders etc.

10. This group is only for those who will be actively participating in the competition this season, so while I hope everyone will stick around, please know that if you choose not to join us this season, you will be removed from the group. You are always welcome to join us in later seasons :)

2018...New year, new blah blah blah, you get the picture...

Last January I wrote a blog similar to this one. I set a lot of goals for myself...and then broke my foot the next day and got set back just a tad. But as I read back over that blog entry today I realized that I actually did a pretty dang good job despite all of that. I got back to exercising for myself (instead of just teaching), I got back into the habit of tracking my food, I wrote more blog entries, and while I didn't reach my goal of 207lbs, I still lost 60lbs from March to October. That's not bad at all.

And then then Halloween hit.

I'm sure most people can tell when things aren't going well for me health/fitness wise because I stop blogging. Needless to say, I spent Halloween to New Years eating all the food. All of it. And man was it gooooooooooood. But by the end of December, I was beyond ready for the influx of goodies and excuses to eat...to be OVER. And now they are. Deep breath in and it's time to move forward!

I know it's cliche to wait until New Years Day to start fresh, but it's a very real mental obstacle. I joked that I would wake up today with renewed motivation and will power....and I was right. I totally did. I woke up at 7:30am on a holiday and went to the gym where I took a 60 minute spin class  and then snuck next door to finish the last 30 minutes of a Pound class. My legs were jello. Then I came home and made myself a low-carb/high protein waffle with berries and cream and started chugging my water. It was like the last few months of carb-maggedon never happened (unless you ask the scale). And it felt great.

It's time to get back into the ketogenic swing of things full time and let it start working again. It worked last year...it will work again. This is the year I am going to see a "1" at the beginning of my weight. It's going to happen. I haven't been under 200lbs since December of 1999 and IT IS TIME people. I am going to stick to keto until it happens. So if we're friends, I'm going to ask that you help me get there...whether that means dragging me to the gym or not being offended when I say "no thank you" to some undoubtedly delicious thing you've made! I need this. I need my body to be in the best shape it can be.

Why? Well...sometime very soon I will officially become a certified Personal Trainer (YAYYY!!) and I'm pretty stinking excited. And while I am in "good" shape, I need to be in far better shape to be effective when it comes to helping other people reach their goals. I need to set a good example. If I'm being honest, I also don't want to be known around the gym as "the fat personal trainer". So I won't be.

So here is my list of goals for 2018, and hopefully I can be as successful as I was in 2017 if not moreso!

1) I will complete my personal trainer certification and have at least 5 regular clients by the end of the year.
2) I will continue tracking my food daily, even on the rough days.
3) I will stick to the ketogenic diet 90%
4) I will exercise at least 2 times a week on top of teaching my own classes and one of those two WILL be strength training.
5) I will weigh 199 or less by 2019
6) Regardless of where my weight stands from week to week, I will be proud of how far I have come and remember that I am more than just a number.

So bring it on 2018. And if you could...please don't toss anymore big injuries my way. I've had serious ones the last two years in a row and I'm kinda over it. Thanks.