I've nearly completed one full month in 2012 of moving more and eating well. To celebrate, last weekend I headed over to Dick's with a $10-off coupon in hand and picked up a brand new swim suit. My old Speedo was showing a little more crack than should rightly be displayed on anyone, let alone a 45-year-old woman with a little extra padding on the back side of her body.
I love my new suit. It's super tight. It's super purply. The patterned looks like Barney took an acid trip and exploded. That's my kind of workout gear.
My skin is Casper-white, dimply and about as far away from swim suit model status as you could hope for. But when I put this thing on, I feel like a badass.
Two years ago I started tracking this whole quest for better health and less chub. Back then, I posted this photo:
I remember dropping all this coin at Lucy hoping it would be part of my motivation to keep on keepin' on.
Turns out, it worked. I was really committed to putting my Lucy activewear to good use. I was really looking forward to zipping up my coat and not having my stomach be the main focus.
But back then, I had absolutely ZERO confidence in my ability to focus and achieve. I was just throwing caution to the wind and hoping for the best.
Me in January 2010, wondering if the coat would ever truly zip comfortably and if that piece of hair would ever lay flat.
As I wrap up January in the Move More, Eat Well classroom, I realize after reading the stories being shared in our classroom community, that the process of self care is not an easy one. In fact, for a lot people, it's really damned hard.
I know for myself, moving more and eating well has never truly become automatic in the way that I'd hoped it would. It has, however, become something I really need to function better in the world. (Well, at least the exercise part… the eating well part, let's say that's always going to be a work in progress.)
One thing I love about all of it is that every day, or week, or month can be a complete renewal. A lot of people don't want to make bold changes on New Year's Day. And honestly, I can't blame them. The number of New Years that came and went with me still smoking like a chimney… let's just say I lost count.
But I know this: when you're ready, you're ready.
For those of you who are thinking about making changes, I invite you to join us in February, for a new year of better health and fitness. Make no mistake: you're the one who ends up doing all the work, but maybe your new year is just around the corner.
p.s. the coat zips now and I know: I really did get my money's worth.
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If you're interested in making changes to your overall health and fitness, Move More, Eat Well is a 12-month online workshop at Big Picture Classes. The focus of this class is to embark on a personal journey that works with your unique lifestyle in helping you to find ways to make the changes you'd like to see on a fitness and health level. Registration is open all year and you can jump in anytime to join the more than 1,550 women and men who've made the decision to try to make changes in their own lives. Move More, Eat Well revolves around a robust community of users who are all creating a scrapbook/journal of their progress. To learn more, click here.

















