#11: Weight Loss Journey 2014 - 12 Pounds & 7 Months

I've always been a petite chick. For reference, I am five feet tall and wear between a 5 1/2 and 6 in shoes. During high school I barely maintained 95 pounds as I stay active in marching band and theater. In college, I gained the "Freshman 15"...but it was over the course of four years. I was a semi-regular at the gym on campus (I don't know why that is so hilarious to me) and for most of the time a vegetarian. By graduation, I was a solid 110 pounds and believe me the weight was much more than welcomed. I am what you consider a "late bloomer" and those ten pounds really helped to fill me out if you know what I mean.

Fast forward five years later and I've constantly been yo-yoing between 110 and 122 pounds. During the school year I tend to tip towards the higher end of the range. However, once summer vacation arrives and I am relieved of my teacher duties I slim back down. Luckily, I have been able to pinpoint as to why my weight fluctuates so greatly. In the summer time I am at home all day so I am able to work out twice a day, eat 5 to 6 small, healthy meals and get in my 64 ounces of water daily.

However, once it's time for me to resume teaching functions and the Pythagorean Theorem, I am running from classroom to faculty meetings to tutoring. I eat breakfast at 6:30 a.m. on my way to work and am starving by the time my lunch break rolls around at 1:00 p.m. Talk about screwing up my metabolism! Oh, and my water intake? Screw that! Who's going to watch my students when I have to pee every twenty minutes?

But I am fed up with the up and down of weight. I'm sick and tired of confusing my wardrobe and my waistline. I am declaring here and now to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle to lose (and keep off) 12 pounds by the end of this year. 110 pounds is just the weight I am most comfortable at with and naturally am when I exercise regularly.

In the next month I will undergo many life changes. I am getting married, moving to North Florida and changing careers. Whew! It is because of these reasons that I refuse to make a goal of losing these twelve pounds in two months. I am not looking for a quick fix. I want a permanent change. Below are my weight loss goals for May 2014.

______ Drink at least 32 to 48 ounces of water daily.

______ Incorporate at least 30 to 45 mins of low-impact cardio 4 to 5 days a week.

_______ Eat breakfast! I am not sure how or why I stopped but I cannot forget the most important meal of the day.

That's it! Just three simple lifestyle changes to help me lose 2 pounds by the end of this month! Stay tuned!

Care to join me on the challenge? Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @ShalandaLeigh for both outlets. Use the hashtag #12pounds7months to let me know about your weight loss goals and progress!