Wow, I have not been to this site in a few months and it looks total different now! Nice.

So, earlier in the year, I went on a "program" to get down to 170 pounds from a high 225. To this date, I have not really made much progress towards this and told myself then that if I could not do it on my own, I would look for a trainer and program that would "force" me into better habits.

The problem is not really the desire to get back into better health but I was making lots of excuses. Not anymore.

So, we made it a point this week to get out on Monday and Tuesday - take Wednesday as a light day - and finish on Thursday and Friday. So far so good! We have been running 2 miles each of those mornings and taking the afternoons to get out with the dog (although he has been running, too) or get on the bikes for a few miles.

I have felt great. Not only is it nice to get your workout done early but the temp outside is better and you get a nice early jumpstart to your day! I have not been as tired and finally do not feel that I have to eat the entire day!

So, I have been keeping up with my weight tracking for the past month or so but have been feeling frustrated as I watch the line stay pretty stagnant across the chart. While I have been happy with my progress, it is just taking longer than it should and for good reason I'm sure.

218 and counting. This has not been the quickest I have ever lost weight but one pound at a time is all I can shoot for - it is progress.

The heat we have been having in Oklahoma the past few days has made being outside almost impossible. It is frustrating really as I feel excited for working out and the things I know I can do are all outside (running and cycling). So, when I cannot get out, I have to really watch my intake.

So, this week, I have a few simple goals...

Number 1: get down to 217

Last week I finally ducked under 220. It feels good. It took way longer than I ever thought it would but I was very happy to see it say 219!

Getting to a goal like that makes you want more. It drives that hunger that you have to have to really go after it with all you have. I caught that bug and have really been looking forward to morning runs and getting things done. It hasn't happened yet though.

I have been doing a pretty good job over the past month in general. Yes, there have been several times that I have found myself not eating correctly and maybe not being as active as I know I should be but otherwise, I have been happy with the way I have been feeling and how things have been going.

Sometimes, you can just tell you shouldn't be riding. Sometimes you feel that you shouldn't but know you should. Sometimes you feel like riding and that is what you do. But sometimes, the ride tells you that it should not be happening.

Jenni, my dad and I (the core group so far of Evoke Cycling in Oklahoma City) went out to test the new Dam Road at Lake Hefner. We were planning on doing 3 or so laps (about 30 miles) and enjoy ourselves. Here is how the ride went:

-6 min 30 secs into the ride - Jenni flats out

I am into my second month (or so) of trying to get into health. I say it that way because that is what this is really all about - not image or fashion. While I feel that I have not been very productive, I do feel much better than I have in the past.

My weight has been about 221-222 for the past 2 weeks which is a bit frustrating as I have been eating much better for that same time. I know it takes time but...

I woke up yesterday feeling ready for battle. I have had a great past two weeks holding steady at a 4 pound loss. I was nervous because of our 4th of July trip to Colorado. It is hard to keep weight off while on the road. I did, however, and it made me feel great when I got home.

I have been going at this for quite a while now with less than exciting results. Only 4 pounds off in the past month or so is not what I thought I would be looking at. I have been here before.

While in college in Nashville, TN - I got to the fitness state I was ever in. I weight in about 165 and felt I could run and bike forever. I then began to gain weight and topped off at 235 a few years later.