Slow and Steady Wins the Race, Right?

I have always heard that saying..."slow and steady wins the race"...but it is really hard to change my mindset to that!  I have mentioned before that I run with a group of friends.  They are ALL in way better shape than me. Recently when we all ran I pushed pushed puuuushed myself to keep up.  It was so hard and I had to stop...which was really frustrating.  My next run I went back to my trusty treadmill.  I like the treadmill because it keeps me at a particular pace the whole time and doesn't let me slow down.  I didn't have to stop one time.  I realized that my goal with the 5k was to finish it and not have to walk....not to win the race.  The next run I did with my friends I kept this in mind.  I didn't let the fact that I was waaay behind bother me.  They were great as usual and very supportive and encouraging.  I ran way slower but I was able to run the whole time and not stop.  Yay, goal achieved!

In this personal challenge of mine I have obviously decided that I need to shed the pounds I have gained over the past few years.  I always seem to fall into a relationship and get happy and HEALTHY OUT OF SHAPE.  I have decided that I want to feel as attractive as I did when I was out on the dating scene.  The fun me when I met my husband.  I am sure he misses that me too!! It is hard to stay all peppy and fun when you are struggling with who you have let yourself become.  I have not changed as a person...I am still silly and fun.  I just don't fell as confident as I used to...and that bothers me.  I want to walk into a room and feel confident. I love the way I feel when I am working out and eating healthy (oooh boy).  I can have a good workout and it affects my mood dramatically!!  I may be tired afterwards but I have a smile on my face.  I am hopeful in the changes to come my way as long as I stay on track.  bikini season...well maybe next year...but this year I want to be confident in my non bikini!! :)

The DREADED DIET!!!  I have always struggled with staying on a plan for an extended period of time.  If there is a diet out there I have been on it! I have taken appetite suppressants, etc, but I want something to work for the long run.  Here is my current challenge.  I didn't get this way overnight so I am not going to get back to my old body overnight.  I have recently started the Weight Watchers diet.  This for me is the way to go.  I can still eat normal food...I JUST HAVE TO COUNT THE POINTS.  That is the hard thing to do.  I have to come to terms with the fact that I am NOT the new SI Model who recently said she eats whatever she wants and doesn't workout....anyone else want to throw something at her?  I have to work to achieve my "dream body."  With the encouragement of my sweet mom who always says that "I can do it"  I am buckling down and writing EVERYTHING that goes in my mouth down!  WOW...it really helps.  It wasn't that I was eating bad food...it was the quanity.  I am really taking a look at what I am doing.  This is my first week to JHUD (Jennifer Hudson...she lost 80lbs on weight watchers) the program.  I am going to do it to a T.  I will post next week my results.  Wish me luck and lets hope I don't have a come apart at the weighn in if it isn't what I wanted to see.