Project Health has begun. Also known as Project Fit Into Skinny Jeans, Project Lower Your Cholesterol Fatty, and Project Anti-Butt For Life. Overall my goal of this blog is to live, learn, and record all the things on my list and share them with you. But let’s face the facts- in order to do all that I want to do, I need to live a long time. And to do that I need to be healthy.

I’ve been in remission for 6 years. If you haven’t read that story you can read here. I had been in great shape. I was a competitive swimmer, ran cross country in high school, and was an addict of all the gym aerobics classes. Then I had my third child and had about 10-15 more pounds of pregnancy  weight to lose when cancer struck. After the ton of steroids and chemotherapy my body just hasn’t been the same. Don’t get me wrong, I have also made plenty of poor choices in the eating category. You know the drill, work hard and watch what you eat and lose 1 pound in a month and then throw your hands up in the air and drink a soda and have nachos with extra cheese. Well no more.

It’s strange. I don’t feel heavy. But the scale, lab values, pictures, and clothing size stickers say otherwise. So I’ve come up with a plan and I’m going to ask you along for the ride. Come get healthy with me. Everyone has health goals- lose weight, gain weight, more muscle, less fat, gain flexibility, improve cholesterol levels, etc. Whatever it is, it isn’t too small or too large to start.

My Project Health Plan:

Goal: 130 pounds, 18% body fat, and total cholesterol <170. I’m not going to become neurotic. If I’m healthy and strong at 135, 20% body fat, and have a cholesterol of 185, I’m going to be satisfied.

Lift weights at least 3 times a week. My body fat is very high and I need to use the weights to increase my body muscle percentage.

Limit sugar. Eliminate the junk.  I’m eating good fruits and vegetables. Absolutely no sodas of any type. And for now, I’m saying goodbye to pasta, bread, and my beloved candy corn. Yep candy corn- I love it.

Increase flexibility and core strength. As of now, I can touch my knees and I know that I have a core but haven’t seen it or felt it in quite sometime.

Variety with food and exercise. My goal is to try a new type of exercise every 2 weeks until my weight is gone. I’m thinking of taking a zumba class, trying the bar method, or sweat my butt off with hot yoga. I get bored easily with food and exercise so I need to recognize that early on and change things up. So I’m going to make a plan to try a new class at a gym, reacquaint myself with an old favorite, or buy new type of fish, vegetable, or seasoning.

I’m not giving up my little bit of cheese. Nope. Notta. Nil. The candy corn was surrendered. BUT. NOT. MY.CHEESE.

I’m not endorsing or criticizing any program. My mom uses Isagenix and has lost over 50 pounds on it. I have friends that have had success with HCG, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, Gastric Bypass Surgery, etc. I’m not here to say one is better than another. It’s just not my style. If your choice of diet leads to a healthier and more abundant life, then go for it.

So there you have it. My plan to improve my outside appearance as well as to transform my inner workings. Gulp. Confession time. I have 39 more pounds to lose. I’ve lost 9 pounds over the last 10 days. But that’s ok. I will make it to my goal. I will live. I will live a full and abundant life. So journey with me as I get back to great health so that I can experience and complete the items on my list. I’ll update every couple of weeks. And yes, my cupcake challenge will continue. I have a slew of volunteer taste testers.

Good luck and get moving!