Introductions please....

Well where to begin...my name is Melissa and I have struggled with weight issues for some time now.  I never really gave it a lot of thought and just went about my daily life pretending I didn't have a problem and telling myself that I didn't really NEED to lose weight.  I did this for a few years until I saw myself in the photo below with my two fit sisters-in-law.  I think this was actually the turning point for me.  I was shocked to see myself the way I knew others saw me and to be honest I was pretty embarrassed about it so I decided then and there to make a change. 



You shouldn't have to guess which one is me.   I believe this photo was taken in 2011.

Although I was embarrassed by this photo it was a great motivator!
(btw) that is my little boy Addan scooting down the steps in the background.

How did I get started?

I discovered myfitnesspal which a free calorie counting website.  It is very easy to use and set up sort of like Facebook where you can add friends and read posts, but it also allows you to track your calories and activity.  I LOVE it!  Through myfitnesspal I also discovered the one little fitness gadget that I don't ever want to be without and that is my Fitbit.  It is an activity tracker that counts your calories burned, steps taken, and miles walked.  I set a goal to walk 10,000 steps and 5 miles per day NO matter what.  I can say with complete honesty that since I purchased my Fitbit in October 2012 that I have only missed my goal no more than 5 days which was due to sickness.  It has been essential in my weight loss efforts. 

I have been hard at it for a couple of years now and I have had bad days and struggled but it has been worth it.


Well that was then and this is NOW!  Keep in mind I still want and NEED to lose about 25 more pounds to be where I want to be but I have lost 79 pounds so far!  Here are a couple more recent pics.



December 2013 with my hubby Jason, daughter Arikka, and Addan who is now 5.

In this pic I am getting ready to run/walk my 2nd 5K with my good friend Becky a few months ago.



Like I said, I still have a ways to go but I am well on my way.  Everyday I tell myself that I CAN do this even when it's difficult.  I have to make a choice and I've come too far to give up now. 

With this blog I hope to motivate and help anyone who might be struggling with similar issues.  I will try to post healthy recipes or recipes that my family love that you can modify to make into a healthier version for yourself.  I'm no expert.  I'm just a working wife and mom trying to get healthier by Making My Steps Count.