Day One = Reality Check

Ok, today I decided to check my BMI (Body Mass Index). It is 30.4, which puts me in the Obese category for my height. Ouch. Not that I didn't already know. I get winded going up the stairs if I'm carrying something. This is the first year of my life (age-wise, not calendar-wise) that I can say that I feel completely out of shape. I hate the way I look and the way I feel...

I am really beginning to feel my age. I see these really fit people who are twice my age and I envy their vitality. I want it. I want to feel energized and energetic. I don't want to feel like crawling into bed for the night at 8 p.m.. I want to have the energy to get things done around the house or put that extra hour or two of work in after supper and still have some energy to read a book before I nod-out for the night.

When I look in the miror, I see this fat person that I hardly recognize. I am at the point that I don't even want to go shopping for fear of running into someone I know who hasn't seen me in a long time because of the reaction I get. It literally takes them a few minutes to register who I am because 40 lbs of extra weight changes the way a person looks. I am embarrassed by my appearance. So, time to set some goals...

Here are my stats:
Age:35
Height: 5'2.75"
Weight: 170

 I have decided that my objective is a BMI of 23, which is within the healthy range for my height and age. That translates into 129 lbs for my weight. It has been almost 10 years since I have weighed that little, and I realize that it is a challenging goal for me, but it is also attainable with hard work and effort. I'm going to establish a workout plan as well. I still have to decide upon the details, but I'm going to start with 30 minutes of cardio, four times a week and 30 minutes of weight training twice a week with one day off a week. I hope to progress to more as I go, but I don't want to turn myself off before I even start so I figure it's a good start. Wish me luck!

A year for positive changes!

Welcome to this, my first blog! This year, I turn 36. In the past few years, I have stopped exercising and eating as healthily as I should, and I have gained a substantial amount of weight. As I grow older, I notice the impact of this extra weight on my overall health - physical, emotional and psychological. As my blog progresses, I will explain in greater detail the changes I would like to make and the reasons why I feel I need to make them. As I decide upon and develop my specific goals, I will include them here. I have read that accountability is very important when trying to lose weight: this is my forum of accountability.