I love a good challenge - it motivates me, holds me accountable, even pushes me beyond my limits! This is the time of year when many people make New Year's Resolutions. I prefer to call it a challenge. This past year, I challenged myself to stop drinking diet soda. As of today, I have been soda-free since January 1st! About 2 months ago, I even decided to get off artificial sweetener and quit cold turkey. When I put my mind to something, I intend to succeed!
In October 2006, my husband and 2 boys took a trip to Disneyworld. We returned home with memories and lots of pictures. It was seeing myself in these pictures that made me realize I had put on a little weight. I had always been just average size - not really watching what I ate or working out. It seemed that since I hit 30, my body was changing even though my lifestyle remained the same. I decided that it was time to start paying attention to what I ate. I began counting my calories and doing some workout videos at home. I began to lose a few pounds over the next 3 months. The following February, I joined Women Run Arkansas, which is an organization that helps women learn to run using a run/walk ratio. It was so inspiring and effective - I ran my first 5K in May of that year, and I haven't stopped running since. I have run in dozens of 5K's, several 10K's and 2 half marathons. Running is an outlet for me - it is where I can be with just me - no one is bugging me or asking for something or demanding my time!!
Since that October in 2006, I have lost 25 lbs and kept it off. One might say that I am a little obsessed with my weight and what I eat. I still count my daily calories and run/workout 5-6 days per week. Sometimes I wish I was a little less obsessive compulsive, but deep down I enjoy the routine and structure that it provides.
Another hobby that I have is baking. I love to make sweet creations of scrumptiousness. Seeing other people enjoy what I have made is even more of a rush than enjoying it myself! I have received comments from people wondering how I stay thin when I am constantly around desserts. The secret is I rarely eat it. Not that I don't like it - because I LOVE sweets! I could live off of 2 courses - bread and dessert - and be perfectly content!! It just doesn't fit into my daily calorie planner.
This is where my blog comes in. I recently came upon a list of National Dessert Days. I began to think about incorporating this list into my everyday life and enjoying a little something sweet each and every day. I then thought about journaling my experience and ultimately decided to blog and share this with my friends and family.
This is my challenge for 2012: I will work my way through the list of National Dessert Days and indulge in the sweet of the day. There isn't a dessert for every day of the year, so I will choose something else for those days. I would love to be able to have all homemade goodies, but realistically I know that won't happen every day. Sometimes I will share my recipes with you, or maybe just the experience I had or what new dessert I was able to try.
Beginning January 1, 2012, I invite you to join me on this journey as I balance my desire to branch out and enjoy life's dessert with my calorie counting obsessive compulsive personality!!
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