Challenge & Realization

So today I did the thing that all women try to avoid...taking pictures in a bathing suit. These were not your usual 'at the beach' photos though, these were an attempt at 'before' pictures.

The good thing about 'before' pictures:
-motivation to improve!
-realization that your body isn't as good as you thought it was (this is good, because you NEED that realization to get your ass in gear)
-when change is successful, you can look back and laugh at it, and appreciate how hard you worked

The bad thing about 'before' pictures:
-wow, you're gross!
-you realize that, that is what you truly look like (camera's don't lie!)
-you've probably been in denial for upwards of 6 months
-until the change starts happening, this is what you will continue to look like!

Taking the pictures was the right move though, it has honestly encouraged me to workout hard! It's my challenge. My challenge because I want to take picture in a few months time and say, "wow, look how far I've come along." This was my first time ever taking 'before' pictures (I always thought they were a bit tacky, since they are always shown on the baaaad infomercials), but I just decided to do it, because it holds myself accountable to improving those images - unless I could find an identical (skinny) twin to pose for me haha!

Depending on how the tone-up goes, maybe once complete, I'll post the before AND after pic (since the 'before' won't be as embarrassing if there's an amazing 'after' to follow)...just maybe. Actually, I WILL post them once I have successfully gotten to the place I want to be...this is me being positive and convincing myself that I will be successful. Your mind is a powerful thing and can really determine how things turn out. But, I'll save that for another post!!

Happy working out everyone! I hope that you are successful as well.

PS- To see what I'm doing to get in shape, click here! It is sooo intense.

Disappointment

I feel like lately I haven't been true to myself and what I actually believe!

Here's what I believe:
-proper nutrition is VERY important
-working out or getting exercise (at least 30 mins a day) in order to stay active and fit
-trying new and healthy recipes to incorporate new fresh foods that you would normally not use
-allow yourself some splurges - you cannot completely deprive yourself of the 'bad' stuff
-be true to yourself

And here's what I've been doing instead:
-not enjoying proper nutrition that I know I need AND want
-not getting enough exercise due to poor decision making (such as drinking or eating bad foods)
-not experimenting with new foods and new ways to cook these foods
-splurging waaaaaay too much on the bad foods for the body
-not being true to myself

I can't say I hate myself, but sometimes I feel very close to it. Why? Because if I really wanted the body that I desire and picture in my head, then why I am taking all these wrong steps and doing all these bad things, which put me further away from my goal? This is a cycle that goes on continuously for me. Will this finally be my realization that something needs to change? I know I created this blog specifically for that purpose; to explain about all the benefits of food and fitness, now I just need to listen to myself! Also, I need to stop limiting myself by saying what I shouldn't be doing or how I should be looking - this is where 'acceptance' comes into place. I need to learn to accept who I am today and make decisions for the future. Every decision I make can either benefit me or put me further away from my goal...the choice is mine.

So in reality I should be taking 'disappointment' and doing this to it: disappointment. I just need to start NOW to make those decisions that will ultimately lead to a better me, and provide the right grounds for this amazing blog!