"A journey of a 1,000 miles begins with a single step"

title quote by Lao Tzu.

Someway, somehow this weekend I got a wild hair and decided that I am running one of the most popular 5Ks in Lexington: A Midsummer Night's Race on August 11, 2012...Umm wow! I am sooo excited and soooo nervous ALREADY lol.

I know that this type of challenge is necessary in my weight loss journey and for my life.I have had some experience in overcoming obstacles (especially those unforseen ones). This race would come at a great time symbolically and practically in my life. Symbolically, it will be right around the time last year that I began my weight loss journey. Practically, it's a couple of weeks before school starts and I can corral my family and friends to come out and support me.  Now, I am setting myself up purposely for a huge challenge. Mentally I am ready, physically it will take ALL of the next 2 months to get there.The training begins this week.

I have Google'd "running a 5k for beginners", "running a 5k for fat girls" and a plethora of other queries. I have found some great info and very positive encouragement. There is still a part of me that thinks I'm nuts.This is my inner fat girl. She's screaming out #girlbye lol. But this is something I truly feel compelled to do.

My goals for this race are simple: 1) to RUN the whole time 2) to finish 3) to survive it lol. I don't care about placing, I sure as hell am not trying to win the thing. I want to do it for me, for Liam, for everyone that reads this blog, for my friends, for anyone on a weight loss journey, for my future clients when I become a nurse personal trainer/health & wellness  nurse.

When this year began I said I wanted it to be different than last year. I made my dream board. I kept vlogging about my weight loss journey to be held accountable, even when I gained weight. I told myself and envisioned this year as different and better than ever before. I said I'd give love (well at least dating) another try.  I wanted to be fearless, determined, dedicated, finally make some dreams come true. I am doing it! Struggling and slipping sometimes along the way, but I am doing it. Since January 1 (not counting Aug-Dec 2011), I have lost close to 30 lbs. I started doing my prereqs for Nursing school knowing that this is the path I was meant to take. I started working on being a better mom and being more present in Liam's life. This is a great feeling. I can't wait to look back on this post, my future 5k and see how far I have come.

There is a quote that has been especially inspirational to me as of late: "We must let go of the life we had planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us" - Joseph Campbell.

My Dream Board Revisited

I can't believe it has been about 3 months since I made that board. I think, in part, I owe the time and vision I put into that board for some of my success thus far. Check it out here: my vision board.

Here are some of the areas I see developing/coming into fruition:

Momtrepreneur - when I put that phrase on there, I wasn't sure what facet of my life it would mean, but I now think it was so that I would be able to develop and  brand both myself and my blog. :)

weight loss - since that board I have lost over 20 lbs. That has to mean somethin, right? Whatever it means I'm happy. I claimed my vision for myself on that board. Phrases like "healthier family", "slim down", "Isabbody challenge", "220" (my goal weight) and "hot mama body".

preschool prep - Liam and I started a toddler/adult program and I'm sure he has gained something from it. I truly enjoy going with him every Wednesday and spending that time with him

love -well....I gave my lack of a love life another chance. I'm pretty sure the stars are still no aligning on that one yet. But hell if it works out and I end up never getting married/having a steady beau in my life, then it's all about me and Liam. Eventually it will be all about me and I can travel the world and fulfill my dreams all by my lonesome.

unstoppable - I included this phrase because that's how I am and how I want to continue to be.

What have you accomplished so far this year? What do you still have left to do?