55.

So. It's been approximately 6 months since I started this whole journey/blog back in June. It seems like everything has happend so fast and so insanely slow all at the same time. First of all, I can't believe it's already December. It really does seem like 2 weeks ago I was thinking "what am I doing?!" in the parking lot at O3 back in June. So much has changed. In honor of losing 55 pounds, I compiled a list of 55 things that have changed/I've learned in the past 6 months. Some may be sarcastic/cynical (what?!) but there are some real heartfelt things in here, however few and far between those are :) So don't judge me.

1. No one has ever died from doing too many squats.
2. Mountain Dew is something I can live without. I may not want to, but it's not essential to my daily diet.
3. Being able to buy clothes that I actually like is really, really fun. Maybe not so great for my bank account, but fun nonetheless.
4. Going to the gym doesn't actually burn calories. It's what you do in the gym that does.
5. Using the stairs has become almost second nature. There have been times I've actually been in the stairwell at the hospital and realized I could have used the elevator.
6. It's okay to be proud of yourself and your accomplishments. Occasional bragging is healthy.
7. Everyone has their own ideas about how to lose weight and get healthy. You have to do what's best for you, and make the necessary sacrifices.
8. You have to MAKE time to exercise.
9. No matter what you choose in a drive through, it's not a good choice.
10. No one can want this more than you. If your heart isn't in it, and you aren't commited, it won't last.
11. Buying music to listen to during your cardio sessions on iTunes is an investment in yourself and your success :)
12. Ellipiticals are the most unnecessary piece of cardio equipment ever invented.
13. Never in my entire life did I think I would put ANYTHING back on the shelf at the grocery store because of the sugar content. Especially yogurt.
14. You'll never know until you try. Be it a 60 second plank, boxing or if you can cook talipia.
15. Sometimes you just have to suck it up and give broccoli a second chance.
16. It's a lot easier to spend 45 minutes in the gym doing things that maybe aren't so fun, than to wake up every day and hate what you see.
17. I'm capable of way more than I ever thought possible.
18. I prefer turkey burgers to ground beef hamburgers any day of the week.
19. I will never go back to the way it was with my diet and lack of exercise. Ever.
20. Boot camp isn't as scary as it sounds. wait. yes it is.
21. The scale doesn't always move as fast as I'd like, but progress isn't always measured in pounds.
22. Find inspiration wherever you can. I spend hours on pinterest on the health and fitness boards, and I'm an instacreep on instagram. Whatever it takes on the days I feel like giving up.
23. I make better choices when I have a plan. When I decided "I'll figure it out tomorrow", tomorrow turns in to a sugar filled free for all.
24. Crystal lite energy mixes are delicious (especially peach mango). But they really do give you energy and you will crash, hard, after you drink 4 of them.
25. Bosu balls are of the devil.
26. Comparison is the easiest way to get discouraged.
27. Sometimes you just need to eat a poptart and move on with your life.
28. Being sore isn't fun, but neither is being fat and lazy.
29. I feel better overall than I ever have before. Ever.
30. If I can do this, you (whoever may be reading this literary masterpeice) can too. It's not rocket science, but it does take hard work.
31. I need to buy stock in hairbows.
32. Having a professional in your corner (like Darin Starr) makes a world of difference.
33. Not getting winded and tired after 2 minutes of walking is nice.
34. It's okay to have a bad day, and it's okay to cry. It's not okay to quit.
35. One of the best feelings in the world is being able to wear clothes you never have been able to before. I was so happy, I literally cried in the dressing room at Gap.
36. Realizing that being significantly overweight raises my chances of having SO many disease. Especially diabetes, which is what caused my dad to need a kidney transplant.
37. Sometimes you just have to drop an f-bomb and move on.
38. Changing the names of exercises is fun.
39. You have to give exercises a second chance and be reasonable. I have a list of 5, and only 5, exercises I absolutely and truly hate. But I also have a list of 5+ exercises that I love. It's about balance!
40. Being able to see muscles when you aren't flexing (no matter how little) is one of the best feelings, ever.
41. Having this blog has been super therapeutic for me. I love to write and I love feedback about it! I know it's a blog filled with vulgarity, grammar issues and all that but it's my place to get out what I try to hold in.
42. Skeletoes get some SERIOUS stank to them, even if you wash them.
43. After a hard workout, sometimes you just need to lay in your bed and watch here comes honey boo boo. It will make you feel better about your life.
44. Getting up at 7:30 on a Saturday to go exercise is really, really hard. But I've never regretted it. I always regret when I don't go.
45. Portion sizes in restaurants are entirely too big.
46. You don't have to eat foods you don't like to lose weight. But you may have to readjust your taste and figure out if you truly don't like it or you just want something else.
47. Sweet tea isn't that much better of a choice than mountain dew.
48. I LOVE weight training. Love.
49. You can't be afraid to try something new. This whole process is new, and scary...but it's absolutely worth it.
50. One day at a time is the best motto.
51.There really is no better feeling than thinking "how am I still alive?!" after a workout.
52. I don't want to just be skinny. I want to be absolutely as strong as possible.
53. Picking up a 40lb kettle bell was a huuuuge reality check. I can barely lift it but I'm carrying that and more around all day every day. Wow.
54. I, in fact, will not wake up tomorrow 55 pounds heavier if I eat a cupcake.
55. I've realized that while having a personal trainer isn't for everyone, it was exactly what I needed to make the permanent changes I so desperately needed.

There you have it. 55 things that I have changed/learned in 6 months. I'm not gonna recap today's workout other than saying it was really a nice mix of everything. We did push ups and I think we all know I feel about those. Anyways, my 55 pounds lighter self needs to get in the shower. That's all for now! :)