Being almost 9 months pregnant (yes, pregnancy is really ten months for those who are wondering – or 40 weeks)…may not be the best time to think about your weight loss goals – but I’ve got a lot of them coming up in the next year, so get ready.

One of the new changes to this blog will be one day a week – hopefully – a fitness/living well update.  We have already started to make some eating changes and that is fun and challenging and teaches me new ways to be creative in the kitchen (though today I’m making strawberry cupcakes – don’t worry – they are for someone else).  But, I know that in a marathon race to lose 110 lbs (by the end of this pregnancy and down to where I want to be and where I have been) – I’ve gotta cook, eat, and exercise creatively.

We don’t have money for a gym membership right now – nor do I have time to go do that with (soon) two boys under 14 months.  But, here are some ways you can beat the exercise humdrums and shed those pounds, meet those goals, or just tone up!

1.  Set goals.  This was the biggest thing for me in my past weight loss journeys.  I had to set small attainable goals.  I did Weight Watchers and met lifetime during my almost 3 years in Louisville.  These must be small.  For me…the best goal is travel.  I go places and want to see people and take pictures.  So, I want to look the best I possibly can at that time.  So, I pick out clothes, a goal weight for that trip – and set my mind to it!

2.  Believe that you can do it.  If you don’t believe you can do it – no amount of influence from others will help you.  You have to do this because you want to.  However you need to encourage yourself – do it!

3.  Have encouragement buddies.  I began running during my time in Louisville.  I had several friends who were great encouragers to me in my losing weight and running journey.  My husband will be my biggest fan.  He wants me to be healthy – and after having two babies in two years of marriage is not the best recipe to stay healthy!

4.  Don’t be a slave to the scale.  Someone in Louisville asked me one time not to weigh – because the number on the scale had become an idol to me.  She was right.  Whatever the number on the scale said in the morning affected how I felt about myself that day, what I ate, and how much I exercised.  Nothing else seemed to matter.  You are more than a number on a scale.  The numbers can be a good indicator of your overall health, but not the only thing.  Have those jeans that you long to wear – hanging where you can see them – so that might deter you from eating that second cookie.

5.  Perservere.  I’ve lost almost 70 lbs before.  I know I love my clothes, style, accessories, and how I feel and look when I get to my goal weight.  I know 110 lbs is not going to be easy.  But, I have all of 2014 (and after S is born, the rest of 2013) to get to it.  It’s a marathon.  Go do it – be creative.  Get out and do new things.  I can’t wait to be healthy enough to go running again – and hike Pinnacle Mountain with my husband and boys in tow.

Maybe the book I’ve started writing about the gospel and food will eventually get written.  It is a matter very important to my heart (and my body).