Day 1: Goals

Two hundred thirty-three pounds. 

Forty-two-inch chest, 49-inch waist, and 49-inch hips.

And carrying a whole lot of potential. 

Well, crap. 

I don't want to do this. 

I told myself I'd publish all my dirty details. But I so don't want to. I told my husband the fitness assessment wasn't good. "Did you expect it to be?" he asked, ever the pragmatist. Well, no. I guess not. But part of the reason I resisted seeking help for so long was that I didn't want to face the numbers. 

But, here they are. And rather than feeling weighed down by the baggage, I choose to feel lifted by potential. 

I know all my teacher friends will chuckle when they see I was required to write SMART goals for myself - that is, goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. If any of the teachers I support see this, they'll chuckle as well since I'm sure my voice haunts their sleep: "How can you make that learning goal a little SMARTer?" I better be able to write a damn good SMART goal for myself. 

My goals are pretty simple: lose pounds, lose body fat, and exercise more. I based them off of what I think is realistic for myself - working out 3 times a week is pretty realistic when I'm paying for someone to lead me through 2 of those workouts, and as the scale lowers (which it will because of my nutrition if nothing else), the body fat percentage will go right along with it. 

These photos are, I'm sure you know, not easy to share. I remember myself as a 165-lb. triathlete who was cheering on my teammates as we ran the Big Kahuna half-Ironman triathlon in 2006. I remember wearing spaghetti string tank tops out to the bar with my friends and feeling so good about myself. 

Today, I am working really hard at being proud of my body. I am proud that it has borne two perfectly imperfect little girls and nursed them both for as long as they have wanted and needed to nurse. I am proud of my body inasmuch as I am proud of myself - for working so hard at developing as a parent, as a professional, as a human.  But I it would be disingenuous of me to pretend I love the way I look. 

But, this endeavor has not been undertaken out of vanity. Obesity leads to so many other complications - Type II diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and the list goes on. I want to lead a healthy life and show my kids how to do the same. And, dropping a few pounds will relieve a lot of stress from my joints which are already screaming for a break. 

I am so eager to get to my first personal training session on Friday, so I can work on getting stronger and improving my stability. Step by step, I will reach these goals and never look back. With my supportive family and friends, I will make the lifestyle changes necessary to maintain a healthy weight and level of exercise. It all starts with a goal. 

What are your goals for improving your health and fitness?