To ensure good health:  Eat lightly, breathe deeply, live moderately, cultivate cheerfulness, and maintain an interest in life.

~William Londen~

It’s hard to believe, but tomorrow we will only have 35 days left in our 100 day JOLT challenge.  At first, it seemed like I was biting off more than I could chew, putting my personal struggle with weight loss out there for all to see.  But, as each day passed, and I kept my promise, it is truly becoming not a challenge, but rather the way we live.  And, a big thank you to you, the reader, for keeping Kelly honest.  It really did help to know that I would be reporting back to you with the results.

Here’s the update.  My sister and her husband are visiting from Canada.  In the past, this would mean high caloric meals, treats, and no exercise as we entertained our guests.  But, this time, things were different.  My 10,000 steps were knocked out early in the day before we went to see the sights.  Or, if I knew we would be walking a fair bit, they would be incorporated into the day.  I did have a few treats, but for the most part, we ate healthy, and always counted our calories.  And, even with the company and the change in routine, I lost weight.

Was I perfect?  Nope.  But did I make myself enough of a priority for success?  Yes I did.  And I think that is the key.  It’s not about being so driven that you don’t have time for anything else in your life.  It’s about re-shifting what you place value in, and making you and your health a priority.

Eating:  Pretty good, and I like that I can have a treat here and there, counting the calories to make sure I don’t completely fall off the wagon.

Exercise:  I am a faithful step counter.  I need, in the next 35 days,  to put more focus on strength training.

Emotions:  Honestly, May is not an easy month for me.  Stephen’s birthday, Mother’s day, and just the feeling of summer bring a sense of melancholy, a feeling of longing for things lost.  This year, although less jagged from the passage of time, still hurts.  But, I did not feel the need to dip the emotions in chocolate sauce.  I did not push down those feelings with food.  Rather, I felt stronger by exercising and keeping my commitment.  I am replacing the need for food with the need to feel I am living well, because when I live life well, I feel Stephen smiling. 

I’ve got a way to go, but inches, pounds and just plain ole baggage is coming off this grateful girl…..one pound at a time.

35 days left….my husband and I plan on finishing strong!

Hope you are taking steps towards your goals each and every day…

Kelly