I have a shrunken shirt and I'm not afraid to wear it

I can't believe I put my favorite shirt into the dryer last night... not by mistake, but by free will!! Now, keep in mind that my 2 daughters would rather me have given it to Goodwill or some other charity because I'm often criticized for wearing this shirt too much.... but you can't beat a good shirt!!  So, bringing it back to why I put it in the dryer... it has become too large for me to wear because I've actually been working out for 2.5 months now!  Is this a huge step for me?  YES!

I never thought I'd be one to be on a "health kick", but I'm there and it really does feel great!  Eating has never been much of a problem for me -- I'd rather eat salty foods than sweets (although salt can be just as bad), I'm not much of a "flavor enhancer" (using salt, dressings, or dips on food), and I generally love vegetables (I could probably become a vegetarian if I wouldn't get killed by my other household members)... but in December (before the New Year's resolutions) I decided that I was sick of feeling horrible about myself. 

The feeling of horrible - yes, I was there for several years not wanting to go out (although I did), feeling uncomfortable when I was out, not wanting to go shopping for new clothes (which was probably good!), feeling self-conscious, and wishing I was 20 pounds lighter.  Not a good feeling at all.  So, I finally came to the resolution that the weight was not going to drop off of me.. and realized that the only person who could make the change about how I felt about myself was me. 

I purchased some workout gear over last Summer and never used it because I sprained my ankle on that same work trip in which I had bought the gear.. that was my excuse for a long time - the ankle... well, you can only milk that for so long and by December 2012 I decided to start running .. like Forrest Gump.  Only, not the distance he did and I have more updated shoes.  I started running with Charles (thank God he is such a great supporter) and ran a little over 2 miles around the outskirts of our neighborhood, every other day.  I started feeling comfortable with running (I used to not want to run for fear of how I looked when running), and began venturing on my own even when Charles wasn't available to run with me.  I got so comfortable, I would run in front of the long car line at my daughter's school, not even thinking twice about it. 

Running led to me being comfortable at a gym, so I began going to one and running on the treadmill (I found that my shins didn't hurt as bad) and I could actually run for 30 mins. straight at a speed of 4.5 without stopping!  That was a huge accomplishment for me.  During my build up of running, I began watching the new season of Biggest Loser (it's a family event every Monday night), and learning tricks and workout moves from there - I got even more comfortable.  I purchased a Jillian Michaels buns and thighs workout DVD and began doing that workout for 30 mins. on the days I didn't go to the gym (and on some days when I couldn't get to the gym). 

I've had bad days of feeling like "Why am I doing this, the 20 pounds isn't shedding quickly!!".. but I've had a lot of encouragement to keep me pushing through - and finally 10 pounds is gone.. I'm halfway there -- and I got to finally dry my shirt!!

I tell you this because if you are contemplating working out and are unsure of how to go about it.. just do it!!  Really, that's all it takes.  Your confidence will come - if it's you don't have the right outfit, pick up some yoga pants at Target (they make you feel skinny and they hide all the flaws) and get moving -- you can buy cuter outfits when you feel more comfortable.  I was always shy of how to use the machines at the gym or learning how to do a new exercise.. not anymore.  It took some time, but I'm there... still have a ways to go, but working out is now in my routine and it feels great! 

Lastly, it's not about how you look - but ABOUT HOW YOU FEEL... and today marked a day of me knowing I feel healthier as I was running Tayte's Science Fair Project into her school in the cold, rainy, 38 degree weather -- as I ran outside back to my car, I thought, "Wow!  I don't even feel winded!"... and that's when I realized these 2.5 months have finally paid off!!

Now, to go try on the shirt :).