Incase you haven’t heard the great news, I officially hit my first goal this morning! I weighed in at 199.6. My overall goal starting out was to be under 200, but I set small goals every 10 pounds. So every 10 pounds I would reward myself with something I wouldn’t ordinarily do, and as the weight loss grew, so did my rewards.
Never in a million years did I think I would hit my goal today. Last week was such a crazy week for me! I was off for the holiday on Monday, worked three days, and was off again on Friday. I allowed myself a cheat meal last Thursday at Olive Garden, I had Sonic on Friday, and I had Ramen Noodles on Saturday (don’t laugh – my stomach was upset!). Three cheat meals in three days, with only one short gym session thrown into the middle somewhere. I expected to GAIN weight this weekend – not lose. Yet here I am. 
As far as my exercise routine up to this point, I can tell you it was a lot of cardio. I get easily bored and I found out pretty quick that I like to switch it up. Each exercise gives a different high based on the muscles you use during that workout. Some days I want to do the treadmill, other days the arc trainer, other days the stairs. I love doing cardio because it’s my time to relax. Catch up on Netflix (or if I’m running) catch up on the music I’ve downloaded recently. Up until now, I’ve been doing 3 days of cardio and 2 days of weights. Sometimes I’d do 4 days of cardio and 1 day of weights if I felt particularly guilty about what I ate over the weekend.
Since I don’t allow myself to do weighted exercises often, I find myself feeling a sense of reward when I actually do weights. Like “I’ve earned this gym session”, I don’t know. I’m very satisfied with the size I am right now, so going forward I will be changing up my workout routine. I’ll be doing a 1-mile warmup run, abs, arms, and legs (all with weights). Maybe I’ll do stairs if I’m feeling frisky. My goal from here on out is to tone my body. I would love to feel as strong as I did when I played volleyball. 
My next goal weight is to weight 166.0 pounds. More than 100 pounds down from where I started. That’s the smallest I ever plan on allowing myself to be. I’d like to hang out in the 170s for the rest of my life, eat good food, and workout often to maintain my strength. 
I’m on a pretty specific plan to get me to 166 before the end of the year. I’m considering upping my calorie intake since my workouts are going to be more intense now, but first I need to make sure I’m 100% committed to gym sessions every day.
I thoroughly appreciate all the support I’ve gotten today, and every day since the beginning of my journey. It’s overwhelming sometimes. I don’t know where I would be without you guys. Thank you.

Do you remember the first day at your very first job? How about the first time you ever went to a gym? How about the first time you ever received a paycheck, or when you got your first car?
Moments like these happen every single day, all around us. You may not notice them or recognize them for what they are, but they are happening. 
Something I struggle with is the idea that everyone starts. Starts working, starts earning money, starts working out, starts driving. You can’t judge the first-timer working out next to you at the gym. You can’t snicker at the new girl in your office for not knowing how to work the copy machine. And you can’t judge people on Facebook for getting their first paycheck and expressing their pride. At one point, YOU were all of those people.
Channel your negative energy into a smile, or a friendly wave. Don’t you remember how scary it is to start something?