Big and Beautiful is not all it's cracked up to be: Who's your best friend?

Spring has finally sprung!

I’m busy getting my workouts in and perfecting my eating habits. I know how to maintain my weight once I hit my goal weight. I am thrilled that I’ve managed to lose even in small increments.

I’ve concentrated on changing up my workout routine. I think my body has just gotten used to the hour long treadmill time or aquafit class. I mixed it up really good by doing a shorter more intense (intense for me) treadmill warm up. I also did some heavy weight lifting with my arms and the next day my legs got pushed hard. My pecs hurt so much in the days after that upper body workout. I knew I had pushed them pretty hard and it felt good to know I could push myself. I also did a variety of core building exercises. Added more veggies into my diet and poof lost a few pounds. I’m almost back to where I was before I slacked off and gained a few. I still fit nicely in my clothes and was invited back to do another fashion show at CJ Banks. I went in to try on clothes for it. WOW all of the outfits looked amazing on me. I’m adding photos from last year’s fashion show when I was 30 pounds heavier.

My arthritis is getting progressively worse in my hands and now my wrists. It’s so sad, but I know it’s part of the natural aging process. It runs in my family so I have no choice but to just deal with it and move on.

I get so much joy and happiness from my Grandkids as you can see from pictures on my previous blog posts. They keep Grandma Diana young and give me a workout just playing with them. Baby Isaak is 18 pounds of solid boy. I get a good upper body workout just picking him up. I enjoyed chasing Nevaeh and Riley around a little when we went out for lunch.

My friends are all very supportive of my journey and a few have joined me on this journey. I’m thrilled to see more people looking to improve their overall health too.

I keep pushing myself to get over 10,000 steps on my Fitbug. I love this little device. I named it Lexi-bug. Lexi-bug keeps reminding me to keep moving and get those steps in for a healthier future for me. I see myself reaching my goal weight in the beginning of 2014. I had over 100 pounds to lose when I started this journey in 2008. I slacked off for 2 years after losing 50 pounds in 11 months. I managed to put back on almost 40 pounds. I was understandably upset with myself for letting myself backslide like that. I also know I’m an adult and must take responsibility for my own actions or inaction as the case was then. In 2011 I grabbed onto a rope that was tossed to me. A lifeline that had me improving my self-esteem and my health.

Here I am a year later and I feel amazing. I have more stamina and energy to do things that used to be too hard for me to do just 10 months ago. I now eat healthy foods that I actually enjoy and find myself not finishing all of my meal more often. I know that this is the right path for me and a journey that I will keep learning from every step of the way.

Be Happy with Yourself today. Be your own Best Friend! Go look in the mirror and tell that person you see looking back at you “You are a great friend and I love spending time with you every day!”