Day 14/15

Well, it's been two days since my last confession ;-) Today I can say I've made it half way through my first 30 days...and it feels pretty damn good. Of course,15 days is only a pebble on my journey, but it is certainly a good start. In the past, I have been able to adhere strictly to a diet for about this long but I would also slip up and give up shortly after.  I am determined to break the pattern I have ingrained in my past.  Recollection of my previous attempts often leads to discouraging thoughts like "it never worked before" or "last time I actually gained weight".  But then I remind myself that this time is different. What makes it so different? I do.  My attitude does.  All of my reasons and motivations do.  It's just an entirely different experience.  I've been able to work out every day for 15 days.  My 'rest days' still consist of tennis or biking, but otherwise I have done Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred and a boot camp at my fitness center.
 If you've followed from the beginning, you know that I have had days that I didn't want to work out.  Some of those days I was able to encourage myself to get up and get it done.  Other days I needed some support from others, and that is okay!!  Sometimes getting support from others is more motivation because you realize that if you happen to let yourself down, there are people who care and who won't let you fall.  Once you realize that you have that, the possibilities are endless.  That support may not be there the first, second, third, fourth or even fifth attempt.  I finally realized that I had to prove to myself that it was a change I wanted to make before others realized just how serious I was.  My mom is one person who had shifted dramatically with me.  It went from what felt like a lack of support in statements like"or are you not eating that either?" when opting between pizza and chinese for dinner, to full out support, like buying fresh fruits and veggies, and checking which places fall within my plan when deciding on a place to eat for breakfast.  Not only that but she is also an avid reader of my blog and gets after me when she doesn't see one posted.  I thank her for that.  And I thank everyone else who has uttered even one word of encouragement, 'liked' a post of my blog, or became a 'follower'.  Each one has added fuel to my fire. 
The road has been far from perfect.  I eat later than I intend to sometimes.  I don't drink the water I should some days.  I have even indulged in foods that I enjoy once or twice (a week).  But, it's better than I used to be.  I have been eating more fresh fruits and veggies.  I have exercised EVERY DAY.  To me, those are HUGE strides in the right direction. I GOT THIS!