I wa-as run-nin...(a la Forrest Gump)

I imagine that a lot of these posts may end up talking about running. I'm surprised on a daily basis that I started running. I never, ever, thought that I would be able to run, much less, WANT to run, or LOOK FORWARD to running! WHOA! That's quite the lifestyle change right there. I remember joking around saying, "I only run if I'm being chased". Well, those days are over my friends. I am a bit of a running addict. Granted, I can't physically run as long as my mind may want to, but the little bit I do is satisfying. Right now, I'm doing a 5K training program, running 3 days a week on non-consecutive days. Pretty easy, so far. I'm in the 2 mile block right now. And feeling good.

I love my running shoes. They are white, silver and hot pink Saucony's. Comfy as hell, and cute! The first day I got them I was so excited that I was running so damn fast. (Unfortunately the speed didn't stick around too long, but the comfort has.) I love the little running wallet pouch that is attached to my shoe that I bought at a real runner's store! Nike+ is a pretty cool invention as well. If you don't have one, get one. It may be annoying, but I love that it posts up to Facebook. I feel like it keeps me accountable to all of you out in interwebby land. I feel like if I don't run, someone may ask me what's going on, or why I haven't. It helps to have some people policing you. Trust me, I need it.

I also love making running mixes. I'm constantly tweaking it to find the "perfect" mix. I add songs, drop songs, move around the order. Laugh all you want, but "Come Sail Away" by Styx and "Africa" by Toto start off my run. (Right now, Coldplay, U2, Gnarls Barkley and the Black Eyed Peas also around lurking around, amongst others.) Music is a big part of my life, glad that it is playing an important role in my changing of that life as well.

I read this quote recently that said something like, "It's not amazing that I finished the face, it's the fact that I started." (Paraphrased, please forgive me, oh person who said this...) I absolutely feel like that everyday. I'm glad that Andrew decided to go to the nutritionist back in September. I went kicking and screaming to join Planet Fitness, knowing I couldn't use the "I don't have any money" excuse any longer, as it's only $10 a month. I gave up soda. My devil. (To be touched upon at a later date...) Everyday I try to look at what I've accomplished, and try to make good decisions. No one is perfect. And when you try to be, you inevitably fail. I am doing the best that I can at this moment in time. And you can too.

Be grateful for the journey, ENJOY the journey, relish the moments of triumph and of despair, it'll make the end results much more rewarding.

(I feel like ending this with "Namaste"...like Dr. Chang on Lost...so...Namaste...)

It's about time.

Hello friends, strangers and whoever else may be reading! Welcome to my journey. I'm a 31 year old opera singer who has been on the journey of a lifetime since Sept. 21, 2009. It was that day that I decided enough was enough and took charge of my life. I decided once and for all to stop allowing food to run my life, and to finally shed the weight that had been holding me back for years. It's been a little more than 9 months since that fateful day, and I've lost almost 80 lbs. I've hit a few plateaus, both natural and Kellymade. :-) But I haven't let any setback derail my progress this time around. I've always been heavy, and mostly had settled for it. I figured I'd be that way forever, having watched my family gain and lose enough weight to create a few more family members over the years. I never thought I'd have the willpower, nor the outside support to accomplish my goal. Boy, was I stupid. I wasted a lot of time being unhealthy. Now is the time to reclaim my life and be who I was always meant to be. I'm hoping that this blog will inspire someone, just as I've been inspired by many people along the way. Thanks for the support and enjoy the read!