New Year Stuff ~ ;)

Well, this has actually been a long time coming.  However, I felt the beginning of the year was the appropriate time to start.  So many people tell me I should blog, and I have periodically... but I am just a little bit busy.  It REALLY had to be something I was passionate about and something I felt I was CALLED to do.  This is my journey of food, my faith, my fitness, my body and all that comes in between.

We are starting a new Team Lean in a week and how more appropriately to keep up with that than to blog all about it.  One thing I have learned in weight loss is that no matter how put together someone looks, they can still have the same struggles as me. AND no matter how beautiful I think someone is- she is still doubting her looks and her abilities.  I made some wonderful friends last year that are still with me today.  Team lean is a weight loss competition through our local YMCA.  We formed a Church team and actually WON FIRST PLACE!!! It was such an achievement.  I loved watching the people I cared about grow stronger physically and spiritually.

What am I hoping for??  I have nine kids- that wasn't a typo- NINE.  I want to be an encouragement to people.  I want to let other women know that YOU CAN DO IT.  The bad days happen, sometimes more than less, but they don't have to stay.  I have food issues- I can eat when Im bored, tired, anxious, stressed, mad, happy... doesn't have to be a reason, I love all food without discrimination.  We can overcome this stuff together.  I'm not good in the compassion department when it comes to excuses.  If I can juggle my kids around and keep my sanity while losing weight and keeping myself healthy- SO CAN YOU!  I forget all the time, everything, even important stuff...but Im trying!!  I want to encourage, inspire, humor, and just be a light, and what ever else. ;)

Why is it a belly blog??  Because my whole life my belly has been one of my least favorite body parts.  Stomach sounds to regal and muscular and flat, gut sounds obese and manly.  Belly sounds cute and jiggly sometimes bloated-never flat- that would be me.  It has never been flat and muscular, even in my hardest periods of exercise (which were few up until 2011)  It has been stretched farther than I ever thought possible 7 times, and to this day I feel overwhelmed when thinking about getting it into shape to MY personal standards.  I have had so many women ask me what my stomach looks like after birthing seven kids.  I have to say its not too bad, I guess.  Ive seen bad and I have heard horror stories, but Ive also seen better and I want to be better.  This is going to be raw at times, but I want to get it out there.  Hold myself accountable to getting it in the best shape possible and making other women feel good about their bellies.  I will never be sporting a teeny tiny bikini, Im too modest, I just want to look good in my bathroom mirror.  Period.

So here we go!!  9 kids screaming and hollering while doing dinner chores, emails coming in 20 different directions about our new team, a very loud husband, a sick dog and a dog that needs to be neutered (bad)... Let's begin this journey together:

This year I want to be...
A better Christian
A better Mom who yells less and loves more
A better Wife *see above :)
A Full Marathon Completer
A neater house keeper  
A successful blogger

Let's do this!