A Goal Reached! Well, Half-Reached.

Well, it’s been a long, hectic, crazy time since I last updated this blog. During that time, I've moved into and renovated a new condo and been desperately searching for post-doctoral opportunities. I've also been teaching my chemistry class, tutoring, and participating in clinical research trials (which have been very educational).

What I haven’t been doing much of is working out (I finished my contract with my trainer and lack the funds to continue), socializing (no rest for the working poor), or taking needed medication (no job + no health insurance = no medicine). Many of you may or may not recall previous blog reports about my fibromyalgia and thyroid problems; those issues require medication. Instead, I took the view to “heal thyself” and pledged to lose 31 pounds by my 31^st birthday. I wasn't able to weigh myself before now as with the move, I was without a scale and honestly, who wants to weigh at the gym where everyone and their brother/sister can see how much you weigh? Anyway, I was gifted a scale recently, so I can now report that while I didn't reach my intended goal of 31 pounds, I did lose 15 pounds!

I’m still working daily to lose the weight and have made a new pledge for Lent. My latest goal is to work out every day from Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday.  Now, I’m Baptist, so Lent is relatively foreign to me. What I've learned regarding Lent came mostly from my college roommate, Stacey, and the Internet. If you aren't familiar with the Lent season, here is a short summary of what I know. 

Lent is an observance of many Christian denominations, lasting for a period of approximately six weeks leading up to Easter Sunday.  The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer and is heightened in the annual commemoration of Holy Week (the events of the Passion of Christ on Good Friday, which then culminates in the celebration on Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ). During the Lent Season, many commit to fasting or giving up certain types of luxuries; my roommate used to give up just about everything! Instead, I choose to DO something instead of FASTING as that is a harder commitment for me.  Besides, many reports indicate that a habit is formed in 30 days or less, so hopefully, by the end of 40 days, I should be a work out addict!

I’m also going to post a new tip or trick for weight loss for each of the 40 days. Given my track record for updates, that will be a challenge too!

Here’s to FAT TUESDAY—my last lazy day!

See you again soon J