A Change

I have a new project.

It's one I've been thinking about for weeks.

It's going to be hard at times.

It's going to take me months of work.

I'm probably going to want to give up many many times.

But it's going to be really great, too.

My new project is...

me!

It's time to get this after-baby body healthy.

I kept meaning to have Ryan take a picture of me this weekend for my Before Shot. But we were too busy having fun with our kiddos. I kept forgetting. So, I'm going to use an unflattering shot from when we had our son snap some pictures of us on our anniversary.

Now I want to point out that this post is not about dieting. It's about getting healthy. I love my body. It's given birth to six beautiful and wonderful children. I'm so grateful for all that it's been able to do. But I need to treat it better. I need to make big changes, lasting changes.

You might be wondering why I'm sharing this on my blog. "Um...isn't this kinda personal stuff, Erin?" 

Well, I keep thinking I'm going to start, to eat healthier and get excercising, but then...I don't. There's always reasons to indulge on unhealthy food. Dinner out with girlfriends, a holiday or I simply pass by the donuts at Lin's.

And then I never quite get around to excercising. Even though I love to run! Well, I loved it when I got over the this-is-the-worst-thing-I've-ever-tried-to-do-and-I-think-might-shrivel-up-and-die part at the beginning. I've done the Couch to 5k program twice now (slacked off and had to start over!). And I really really love it. I am one of those people who never ever thought she could be a runner. But after a high school reunion a few years ago where a good friend of mine talked about running I decided I would give it a shot.

I'm so glad I did!

I really did grow to love it. I especially loved that time alone to listen to books on my iPod, listen to music or simply let my thoughts wander. But at the beginning of this last pregnancy I was tired and sick and I felt like dreck.

And...I stopped running. Oh! I really regret that.

Now I have to start over. I haven't been looking forward to it. It's going to be hard. And it's going to hurt. And I'm not going to like it.

At first.

But I need to do it. I need to start. Today.

I love this saying...

So. Today. Yep. I'm ready.

Now you might be wondering what I'm going to do to get healthy. Well, eating more fruits and veggies is obviously on the list. But my main plan is the American Heart Association eating plan. Which I guess could be called a diet, but it's more like just sensible way to eat, the way we should be eating. I've gotten healthier by following it before, so it's time to give it another shot.

I feel loads better when I'm doing it. Things like bananas become a yummy treat (instead of those Lin's donuts or these cookies which I posted about on Saturday. Oh. I'll have to stop posting about goodies!).

And I'm going to do the Couch to 5k plan again. It will be a bit tricky with a small baby around. It's not as if I can go on a run while the kids play. I'll need to find times I can go when my husband can watch the baby. Or maybe when he's sleeping and I can get on the treadmill (and put my oldest in charge of listenting for when Rory wakes up)

It won't be easy. But it's going to be worth it.

So, back to why I'm sharing this on my blog. What better way to stay on track, to keep myself motivated and not slip back into old habits than to declare it to the universe, to the world or....to the three people who read my blog? And I'm planning on updating here and there about my progress.

Anyone else trying to get healthier? I'd love to hear from you!