515 days!

Welcome to the beginning of my journey!

My blog is titled “515 days” because that is how long I have to lose 82lbs. It’s not a mandatory number but it’s a very serious goal. In 515 days I will be setting sail with my husband on the same cruise ship that we sailed on our honeymoon. We will be celebrating our 10 year anniversary one year early because I am graduating college in May 2023!!

I returned to college in fall 2019 as a married mother of four. My children were aged 7, 4, and the twins were not even a year old. I was also working full time until Covid-19 happened. I worked at a restaurant, and continued to do so off and on until starting my part time job as a specials teacher in an early childhood school this year.

The stress of two jobs, being a full time student, and having a family to raise was just too much. I gained 40 some pounds over the past couple of years. Especially these past six months, I haven’t exercised much because I feel like I’m stuck on my computer completing homework and lesson plans. I had a terrible habit of stress eating and then unwinding with a couple of drinks at the end of the day. This resulted in not enough sleep. So, it’s not hard to pinpoint where the problems lie. 

I’m currently on Christmas break and loving every single moment of it. However, I start teaching in a week and my school semester starts in a few weeks. Before I know it the stress will be piled up again! So I’m trying to start some new habits while I have the mental capacity to do it. 

Today is the beginning. My family and I recently returned from a Disney vacation. I didn’t want to get on the scale this morning but it had to be done. 217lbs!

This is more than I’ve ever weighed, except for during pregnancy. 

It’s more than a number on the scale. My clothes hardly fit. I feel tired and my immune system is terrible. My body hurts! 

My husband gave me the green light to book our cruise yesterday and I do not want to go on a cruise looking/feeling like this. I need to lose the weight! So, our set sail date is the perfect day to aim for to hit my goal weight. I’m aiming for 135lbs because it’s what I weighed about 3 children ago. I would be happy in the 140s, but I know I’ll gain a few lbs on the cruise. 

So, today begins day 1! 

Today I:

✔️Drank over 100oz of water 

✔️Walked over 10,000 steps

✔️Counted calories and stayed below my daily limit

✔️Switched my wine out for some de-stressing tea

I’ve been in this weight loss battle for a while. The stress is always my downfall. I have lost significant amounts of  weight in the past. So, I know I can do it! 

I’m so motivated by this cruise because it’s the exact boat we sailed on for our honeymoon and we managed to book the same room we were in! It’s going to be extremely special and I don’t want to be dodging the cameras.

In 515 days I will reach my goal weight!

I’ll check in with this blog as often as possible and I’ll update my weigh ins. I’ll post about my successes and slip ups. 

I’m going to do it!!