So, winter break was not kind to me. By the time I got back from going home and going on choir tour, I had hit 242 lbs! Needless to say I was very disappointed in myself. But, I have since dropped down to 235, and that was just in the last week. Of course figuring out that I have a gluten sensitivity has probably paid a big role in the whole losing 7 lbs in 7 days thing. So right now I'm down 42 lbs from my starting weight. Not as fantastic as I had hoped for, but I would say that I'm well on my way to recovery, especially if I can keep dropping a pound a day for awhile. Now I just have to schedule workouts into my crazy busy school-workstudy-work-boyfriend-roomates-house-dog life.
Going gluten free has kind of forced me to eat better; I have a LOT of fruit and veggies, a lot of fruit/veggie based smoothies and salads. I'm sure that the diversity of my diet will improve as I figure out what I can eat instead of focusing on all of the things I can't eat. I just have to find the time to play around with substitutions and I will probably find myself cooking more just because that way I know exactly what I'm putting into my food. I have quickly decided that I like ingredients lists that have maybe... three things on them, because then there's a good chance that it's pretty straight forward.
My personal life has changed drastically too. I feel more stable this year, I'm finally (finally) coming into myself as a person, I feel more comfortable with who I am then I ever have, and I feel like I have a solid group of friends that I can completely be myself around.I also have a new boyfriend, we haven't been together long, but I'm rather smitten with him :). I think it's a good thing, it's definitely a much healthier relationship than most of my others have been, and has the potential to actually last, which is exciting. He makes me want to be the best person I can be, he encourages me to aim high in all areas of my life, and having him in my life gives me another reason to work towards being healthy in all areas of life.
I feel like I've really come into my own overall. I'm completely self-sufficient theses days, my parents can't afford to help me; which means I get the pleasure of balancing school, work, and paying the bills, groceries, taking care of my dog and my car and just balancing life and finances. It hasn't been easy, but it is rewarding when I get it right. I might have dug myself into some financial issues recently, but sometimes that part of the growing up process. One of my goals this year is to get my finances in order, and I'm working on it.
I'm really excited about 2014. I think it's going to be a good year for me. It is apparent to me that it will include a lot of change, and probably be challenging, but it will be a good. I can't wait to see what else God has in store for me!
