This journey will never really end {#aHeartFitFriday Link-up}

Why, hello there.

I feel like a stranger on here lately! I don’t know what’s going on in my head. It’s kind of a mess right now.

I have however been very focused on really making a new life this week, which may be part of the lack for words.

I’m not sure this will make sense to everyone, but it will probably resonate with most moms: I’ve been working on allowing myself to treat my responsibilities at home as a career. Like, a goal-oriented, disciplined daily mission with routines and rewards for both myself and my kids.

With that also comes a focus on work-life balance. Yeah, that one’s a little fuzzy when life is the “work”, but there needs to be some time for me. Time for mind, body, and soul.

It’s pretty great.

I know, who would have thought words like “goal-oriented” and “disciplined” would be associated with the life of a stay at home mother? I never did. And you know what else? For the first time in the three years since I’ve been home, I’m fully satisfied with my role.

My day pretty much looks the same every day. I get up, get the kids dressed, get myself dressed into workout clothes, get us all breakfast and out the door. Some days that means taking Dylan to preschool first, other days we all go to the gym. I try to find a class I want to take, and if my timing doesn’t line up with a class immediately, I can always do some running on the treadmill.

With the season finale of “The Biggest Loser” earlier this week, I found a new sense of motivation. I started thinking about how excited the contests were. I saw the absolute satisfaction with how intensely they had worked towards this goal of a different life. Something clicked for me. I realized that, though I didn’t have as much weight to lose as those contests, there was more that separated them from me. What was going to happen to them once the cameras turned off was something I’m sure was at the back of each of their minds. If they want to hold on to their new fitness levels and respective bodies, they were going to need to keep on FIGHTING. Forever.

From this point on, they have to take each day on as a challenge. Like a pursuing a relationship with God requires death to self and like overcoming addiction requires never letting your guard down, or getting ahead of yourself. You have to live in the moment and take each day as it comes.

I want to pursue my health and fitness because it matters. It matters that I’m taking care of myself along with my kids so they can learn from me and so they have me around longer.

So, by the way, I reached my goal weight. This morning I weighed in at 154 lbs (that’s -18lbs since starting)! Woo hoo! And, you know what else? My favorite jeans fit again (they were still a little too snug for my comfort last week).

I’m hear at my goal, but I’m not done yet, because it’ll never be over if I don’t want to gain in back. So here’s to life as a fitness enthusiast!

I wish I could say with all this exercise that I’m logging some miles in CharityMiles, but no. Winter’s holding on around here, so though I’ve covered many miles, I can’t log them with the app because on a map, I haven’t covered much actual distance. I look forward to spring weather and miles logged.

How are your goals? I’m so proud of Amber for the steps she’s taking. Go over and read her about progress this week! And be sure to check out Lauralynn Elliott’s progress here, too. She’s linked up every week, faithfully and her journey’s an inspiration.