Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes...

In an effort to get back into shape, I'm going to go back to doing what seemed to work for me last time...blogging about my successes, failures, and random other stuff in between. However, it's been 2+ years since I've posted anything here and these changes will DRASTICALLY effect how I run things around here, so I should probably give you an update on where I stand now.

Giving birth makes you look kinda terrible

1) I'm a mommy. My amazing daughter, Morgan, entered the world in June 2014 - she is my entire world. She is part diva, part tomboy, part book worm and part mermaid. She is my reason for coming back here and figuring out how to get back to being healthy. And she's really freaking cute. I'm kind of obsessed with her. But, she hates a stroller, so working out with her in tow is something I'm going to attempt to avoid. Also, I eat her leftovers. That's no good. In all, however, other than the affect she has had on my waistline and my bank account, it's been pretty amazing to be a mom. Also - breastfeeding is the shit - for post baby weight loss.

Morgan at 1

2) I changed jobs. Where I was once "the one in charge" at my company, I took a step back and am now working for another small company in a support role. I found myself working 24/7 and I decided that I wanted to focus more on my family. Of course, I had planned to make the job change on my own terms, but it didn't end up working out that way. I was unemployed for about 8 weeks. The job change included a big pay cut, but I've gained a lot of my positive attitude back and I wake up and go to sleep without thinking about work. It was a good change, but a tough one to make.

Family picture on Memorial Day 2015

3) My husband has lost 40 lbs recently. Just on his own. Just by not eating as much. I kind of hate him. He's got more energy though and I can tell he's happy about the changes and I'm happy for him. He can really stop doing the little dance on the scale though, that's kind of pushing it.

4) I lost my brother in October 2013. There will be an entire post coming in reference to this, but I found out I was pregnant on a Thursday, my brother passed on Saturday and I ran my most recent half marathon that Sunday. I was basically floating through the whole thing. I hardly remember it. Such a roller coaster. That race was the last time I ran (with the exception of "national running day" in 2015, but I hardly made it a mile and a half doing intervals, so I'm not counting it).

Me and my brother circa 2009ish.

It's weird to be back here - I'll admit it. I was so proud of myself for my accomplishments back in 2011 and 2012. I was up and raring to go. I WAS AWESOME. Then I stopped for some reason. Looking back on posts, I tried to get back into it, obviously and it never worked. This time, I've got some support in different ways and I've got a 15 month old little girl who will be learning to run soon, I've got to get on it. Plus, nothing in my closet fits for winter.

So here I am. 229 lbs. Let's do this.