Oopsie, I fell down.

February wasn't my month. I did fine, don't get me wrong - maintained my weight, but didn't lose anything. March, however, has been much more on track.

This week I started my LiveFit bootcamp (http://www.livefitbootcamp.com/) journey, and so far I am loving it. The company is local, so that's a plus - and the workouts are intense! I purchased a one month membership on Groupon, and got it for quite a deal, so I'm taking full advantage of the opportunity. Financially, I don't think LiveFit is something I will be able to invest in long-term, but I know this month will be worth it! Brandon also just purchased the INSANITY dvd set, so I'll let ya'll know when that arrives, and how it goes.

My mind is back on track, and my body is following suit quite well (can you say SORE??). I'm back in action, and will be posting here more often.

xoxo

Jennifer

I just wanna be successful.

My journey is much more than just one of weight loss. 

This journey is of life, it is ongoing and ever changing.

It is my journey to become and be the person I envision myself as. 
The very best Jennifer possible. One hundred percent of the time.

Last week the instructor of my spin class asked us all to think of a single word to represent our resolutions for the year. She said that instead of making a list of things she wanted to achieve, she picked a word to live by. A word to fall back on when all else fails, a word to motivate her to be the person she is striving to always be. As I peddled and sweat dripped down my face and onto the frame of the bike, the only word that came to mind for me was SUCCESS. 

 

So this year, I have challenged myself to be just that - a success, in everything I set out to do.

Speaking of spin class...finished class this morning with a very good feeling of accomplishment. I have dedicated my Tues and Thurs mornings to an hour spin class since the beginning of my journey the first week in January. I have not missed a class yet...until this morning. I woke up feeling out of sorts, and told myself I'd skip it - but would get a run in later on in the afternoon...little did I know my best friend Ashley wouldn't be taking no for an answer. She told me to suck it up, and change my clothes - we were going to be at that class.
We were, and we have the sweat stains to prove it. ;)


Having people in your life who will not accept anything but your best - sets you up to be a success. 


And in the end, you might just feel like this...

Peace and Love,


Jennifer

I'm Jennifer, on a journey.

I guess the first thing I should do is introduce myself. 

(I've never written a blog before, so bare with me.) 

My name is Jennifer, I'm a 22 year old college student living in Northern California, who is also working part time, and attempting to make a healthy lifestyle change become a permanent way of life (and aiming to lose 50 pounds).

I created this blog almost a year ago with the goal of doing what I am only starting to do right now...write a blog that follows me through my journey of weight loss, and life, and the struggles that come with both.

I've always struggled with my weight - and have conquered, and given into it on more than one occasion. As a sophomore in high school in 2005 I asked my parents to send me to a weight loss camp, where I lost 26 lbs in 6 weeks...I came home, and gained the weight back. 

(May 2009)

In October of 2009, I set off on another weight loss journey. This time, I did it without the help of a camp, or personal trainer - I did it all on my own. My starting weight was (an embarrassing to write) 220 lbs. 7 months later in May 2010, I celebrated my 21st birthday at 169 lbs. I was in amazing shape, and had never felt better. I ran a few 5K races, and finished with my best mile times ever! I felt unstoppable. But still had 9 lbs. to my end goal...

(Left May 2010, Right May 2009)

...slowly but surely and almost two years later... I have gained it back.

(First weigh in, January 2012 @ 215 lbs)

This is where my final journey begins. Over the last month I have began the motions to change my life for the good. One of them being this blog. Even if one person reads it (love you Mom!), I will be held accountable...and hopefully, can motivate and encourage someone else to begin their own journey to a happier, and healthier life. 

Since the day I threw out the junk food, started counting my calories and exercising 4 weeks ago - I have lost 11 lbs. But I am not on this journey alone. These changes were put into motion when I was asked to join a "New Year resolution" type Biggest Loser inspired weight loss challenge. A group of 8 people all competing against each other to see who loses the highest percentage of weight in 12 weeks for a cash prize! We all took before photos, and took our starting measurements. Every week we weigh in to see our progress, and share ideas and tips for losing the weight! It's a very supportive way to get started losing weight, I would recommend it to anyone as fun jump-starter to a weight loss journey.

But I do have other things going on in my life, and lots of other goals I am working toward! 

First and foremost, I am engaged to the love of my life Brandon. 

We have been together for 6 years, 1 month, and 8 days...or something like that ;)

I love him with every fiber of my being, and so look forward to being his wife!
We've been engaged for a year now, and aren't in any particular rush to officially tie the knot.

We are living life, trying to become financially stable, and just staying in love in the meantime <3 !

We also have a couple pets kids in our home who we love unconditionally..

Dinky is our baby boy, and first pet kid together. 

He's a 4 year old Mini Schanuzer who shares a birthday with Papa.

Ruger (aka Mr. Kitty) is our feisty feline.

He's about 3 now.

 Cheesy D (aka Cheese Ball, Mr. D, Special Kitty)

He's about 2, words and pictures won't do him justice, I'll post a video later.

Lilly Voldemort is our 12 year old Albino California King snake.

She was given to me by a friend in San Diego - so her age is a guestamate, as well as her gender.

I have a new job that I absolutely love, and am finally fulfilling my lifelong dream of working with animals. Right now I am taking a Spanish class, which I am loving, and next semester I hope to get into the classes I need to work toward becoming an RVT.

So that's pretty much my life right now! 

I'm hoping to have something interesting to say every couple days, and will post here when I do!

For now, tell me what are your goals and what motivates you?

Peace and Love,

Jennifer