I'm Baaaaack...and Better Than Ever!

A Healthy Snack (courtesy my kids)

Hello, my fellow chronic pain warriors. I'm back and better than ever. I apologize for my vacation from blogging. I needed some time away because I had much too many responsibilities on my plate. I needed to help my kids finish cyberschool for the year. My mom got married this month, and I was her maid of honor.

And afterwards, I took my children on their first beach vacation. June has been full of changes and new experiences. I came back from our vacation more revitalized and energetic since I can remember. That feeling is intoxicating to someone like me--someone who suffers every day with extreme fatigue and pain. It left me hungry for more of the relaxation and rest that allowed me to run for the first time in about 5 years. For those few minutes, I felt like my true self again, and I need more!

Consequently, I've decided to make July a personal improvement month. If you've visited before, you might notice the brand new MyFitnessPal badge sitting on the left of this page. I have decided to focus on my diet. I want more than anything to finish losing the weight necessary to bring me back to a healthy BMI. I have had the best of intentions for the last few years, but I haven't always followed through. I lost 20 lbs. in 2012, but then my weight loss stalled.

That's why it is time to shake things up a bit. I need to start taking responsibility for the amount of food I eat and the dietary choices I make. To help me accomplish this, I am going to measure and record my food every day until I reach a healthy weight again. No more pretending my extra helping or extra snack isn't going to hurt. From now on, I'm accountable for each piece of food I put in my mouth!

And I want you all to be a part in my new diet accountability. With this badge, you will be able to track my weight loss. I'm hoping that with all of you watching, I will be more motivated to stick to a healthier diet.

Here's to more days when we all feel like our true selves!