013. 30 Things I've Learned on my Weight Loss Journey

30 Things I’ve Learned on My Weight Loss Journey

1) I am the only person that can change me.
2) Friends are an invaluable resource – even if they’re “only” internet friends.
3) With hard work and dedication, there is nothing I cannot accomplish.
4) Life is all about balance.
5) I can run.
6) Anything worth doing is scary.
7) There are no short cuts and no “easy buttons;” the hard is what makes it great.
8) Nothing is off limits as long as I can find balance.
9) Making a change to improve my health has motivated me to make changes improving other areas of my life.
10) Life is short, embrace every minute of it.
11) Losing weight has given me the confidence I need to make myself happier.
12) Living healthy is worth it.
13) Eating like garbage = feeling like garbage
14) Exercise truly is the greatest stress reliever.
15) I want to be an inspiration and motivation to others, and I want to lead by example.
16) Somewhere along the line, I forgot what it was like to feel passionately about something. I’ve remembered because I’ve found a passion for healthy living.
17) I’m not as picky as I thought.
18) I like vegetables. I also like oatmeal.
19) I’m not going to like everything I try, but that doesn’t mean these things aren’t worth trying.
20) Most fast food is overrated.
21) I really do love to cook.
22) There is no such thing as perfect.
23) Exercise is addicting.
24) I want to help others find, understand, and appreciate the benefits of a healthy lifestyle as much as I do.
25) I love tea.
26) Yoga is amazing.
27) Start small. Small changes lead to big accomplishments.
28) There’s nothing wrong with being afraid as long as fear doesn’t stop you from accomplishing your goals.
29) Weight loss can be a slow, and sometimes painful process, but it’s worth sticking with it.
30) I know I have it in me to take that extra step when I feel like I can't make it any futher.

009. Girls on the Run

I just recently heard about the Girls on the Run organization (I saw an ad on a CTA bus actually.), and I am totally in love with it. I really want to volunteer as a coach, but right now it's not an option due to scheduling (and also winter in Chicago).

Girls on the Run is an afterschool program for girls ages 8 to 12 that combines 5K training with lessons in self-esteem and self-acceptance. As a feminist and someone constantly striving to live a healthy lifestyle, I think this is . Monday night I signed up to run the Girls on the Run 5K. Today Fit Bottomed Girls featured an article about the organization and an interview with the founder Molly Barker.

If you haven't already, you need to go to the site, read the article, and comment on it. For each comment left, FGB will donate $1 to GOTR up to $500. In addition, New Balance, who is a major sponsor of the GOTR 5K (and running shoe maker of my choice), will match the FBG donation and donate an additional $1 up to $500 for each comment.

So start your day by making a difference. Go comment!

002. Operation Beautiful

Part of my goal is to share awesome things I've come across in my journey. Operation Beautiful is certainly one of them.

I first saw the link for Operation Beautiful back in June on a Weekly Links blog over at The DailySpark. In July they did an interview with Caitlin who is the editor of Operation Beautiful. (She also runs the blog HealthyTippingPoint.) I always thought it was such an amazing, empowering idea, but I never actually participated...until today. This afternoon I posted my very first Operation Beautiful note. I hung it on the inside of the door in one of the bathroom stalls at work. I was planning to stick it on the mirror, but the cleaning lady was in there and I felt guilty putting a post-it on her freshly cleaned mirror.

I'd always meant to participate. I mean after all, how cool would it be to randomly come across a note like that - especially if you're having a bad day. It was just one of those things that I always talked/ thought about doing but never actually did. It was Caitlin's email with the link for the Pile on the Miles challenge that sprung me in to action. I read the email, and seeing the link at the bottom of her email made me think "Why not go do it right now?" and so I did it. I'm so happy I did.

Anyway, here's my note:
I can totally see how addictive this will become. I already want to start leaving notes everywhere! I've got a ton of post-it notes (I bought an economy sized pack at Sam's Club at some point I think.) so I think I'm going to buy some fun colored sharpies and start carrying them around with me so I can start leaving notes all over the place.