It's been awhile...

Well, after reading through my "Operation: Halloween" posts from September, it's safe to say a lot has happened since then.

Like most women, I was (and more often than not still am) struggling with self-image, and more specifically, I was struggling with the fact that over the course of a few months, I had gained back all of the weight I lost last year and then some on top of that. I loathed myself and was ashamed that I had let myself go. Not liking yourself sucks. Period.

Fast forward to now-ish. Thanks to my return to church (you never know what you're missing until you don't go for over a year) and a great blogger I follow on facebook by the name of Go Kaleo,  I am beginning the healing process of what has turned into food restriction and consequently binge eating/drinking. I spent the month of April (+3 days) alcohol-free, and it was AWESOME. Before choosing to not drink (which some may consider a restriction of sorts), I was using alcohol (and food, of course) to be my cure all for life's stresses. Obviously I have started drinking again, and while it is fun, I know that I don't have to do it to have a good time. Plus, I want to get healthy for myself, and alcohol just doesn't need to be in my life to the extent it has been. I've also begun embracing some grains again in the form of Ezekiel wraps and brown rice. I jumped on that Paleo train so fast last year, and while I do agree with most of what those in support of Paleo say, I've come to realize that there is no need to restrict myself from foods that I have no allergy to. What I really want to do is eat the foods that will support my activity level and try to choose "real" foods more often than not. Let's be honest though, I certainly take help where I can get it (thank you steamable rice bags, frozen steamed broccoli bags, and individual almond butter packets), and I do enjoy dessert and snack foods as much as the next gal. The great thing about my ever evolving way of thinking is that I'm FINALLY starting to realize that I am beautiful and completely acceptable the way I am. And hey, some people even find me attractive this way :)

Who knows how long I'll keep up with this blog. Hopefully it will be kind of consistent because ... I MOVE TO COLORADO FOR THE SUMMER!!! I want to blog about my experiences because there is no better/simpler way to keep track of all of the awesome adventures I hope to have.

With that being said, here's to loving yourself, because there is only one you, and YOU are beautiful. Be well, my friends.

-Megan