Taking the First Step

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When talking to friends, family, and other acquaintances, as soon as the subject of weight loss comes up -- which, I must say, happens almost daily in my life -- I'm usually faced with the following confessions: "My jeans are tight." "I haven't been to the gym in weeks." "I eat too much … [Read more...]

Become Your Own Cheerleader

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When I first started losing weight, the compliments just kept on comin'. Friends and family -- especially the ones who don't see me every day -- were constantly making a fuss about my shrinking body, showering me with "you look so great!" compliments and incredulously questioning: "how much weight … [Read more...]

The Winds of Change

Silhouette woman run under blue sky with clouds

(I thought this title was appropriate given the 55 mph gusts we're experiencing here in New Jersey this morning). Thanks to my efforts to acknowledge (and face) my fears, I've finally started making some changes that -- believe it or not -- may actually be making the scale move! I'm proud to report … [Read more...]

Fighting Fear

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In the last couple of weeks, I've started to realize just how much fear has been holding me back. In my weight loss, in my career, in my relationships...in my life in general. Last night I earned my orange belt in Muy Thai kickboxing. For two weeks I fretted about not being able to remember the … [Read more...]

Eat More to Lose More?

morefood

Is there anything more infuriating than stepping on the scale after what you thought was a perfect week on your diet and exercise plan...only to see the number move in the wrong direction? On the other hand, how do you react when you end up dining out four nights in a row, weigh-in in the following … [Read more...]

Committing to New Habits

jenrunning

We're less than three weeks into the new year. Raise your hand if you're already struggling to stick to your resolutions, and find yourself slipping back into some old habits. (Me me me)! The good news? I've already started accomplishing at least some of my goals for this year: I've found a new … [Read more...]

2011 Resolutions

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#1. To blog more. Okay, so beyond my genuine promises to spend more time writing on this blog (and to update that two-year-old banner photo of myself once and for all), I've assembled a list of ambitious -- yet, I think, still realistic -- health and fitness goals for this year. I recently posted … [Read more...]

Redefining Myself

kickboxer1

Over the weekend, I took the first of three trial classes of Muay Thai kickboxing at a local karate studio. I've been looking for ways to shake things up for quite some time -- not only in an effort to get the scale to budge, but also to ensure that I never get bored enough with my … [Read more...]

Holiday Horrors

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As we get closer and closer to Halloween, I find myself growing more and more afraid of something that has nothing to do with zombies, witches, or things that go bump in the night. I'm afraid of the holidays. Truth be told, this is my absolute favorite time of the year. Nothing is more … [Read more...]

Fitness for Dummies

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Recently I took advantage of a free personal training session being offered by a popular gym chain.  Though I've been working out 5-6 times per week for more than two years now, I've always been a solo act.  I began my weight loss journey by participating in group classes like kickboxing, step … [Read more...]