I'm actually doing this? Holy smokes! I'm ACTUALLY doing this!

So here we are, nearly four month into my journey and I realize today, very suddenly, that I'm doing this! I personally have worked hard by eating right and exercising regularly and have lost just over 40 lbs! No surgeries, no gimic diets, just me and my calories...calories in, calories out...it's that simple. It's not easy, but the math...the math is simple.

I also hit my first stall or plateau a while back that lasted two weeks. I was perfectly on plan (exericising, eating the right calories, and drinking my water) but the scale wouldn't budge! I just kept losing and gaining the same 2-3 lbs. I was so frustrated and definitely had an emotional reaction - I was actually feeling a little depressed like maybe 35 lbs was the best I could do on my own. But physically, I kept going strong. I dug in and kept working my plan. Hitting that gym and being super careful about what I was eating. And...the scale still wouldn't move.

So, at the encouragement of my 3FC besties (Three Fat Chicks), I decided to take a progress picture and measure myself. They all believed that I wasn't really as stalled as I thought I was. The scale was stalled but that didn't mean I was staying the same. I was hesitant, because I had just measured three weeks before...just before my stall...and did not expect much difference if any at all. BUT, low and behold, I was down another 5"!  And in just three weeks! Holy crow!

As of today, I am 40.2 lbs and 16" inches smaller than when I started. My progress pictures are on my photo page. Check them out...if you dare!  ;)

I also decided it was time to step up my workouts and learn a bit more about exercise and nutrition so I joined California Family Fitness' Body Fit Challenge. This is a biggest loser type 8-week challenge to see who can lose the highest percentage of body weight.

Please keep me in your thoughts as I embark on this newest challenge to test my limits, increase my understanding of health and fitness, and work hard to get healthier!