Ten on Tuesday

This week's theme - reasons to get my health mojo back:

1. To keep losing weight - I've lost 50 pounds, which is great, but isn't the finish line. I can honor my progress without stalling my progress.
2. To have a strong heart - I need to do cardio exercise to increase my cardiovascular strength. With heart disease so prevalent in America, I need to take sensible steps to prevent it.
3. To increase my life expectancy - Statistically, melanoma has already stolen 18 years from me. I need to be doing EVERYTHING IN MY POWER to not lose any more years to things that I can prevent (i.e. obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, the fore-mentioned heart disease...).
4. To have an enjoyable summer - Swimsuit season is fast approaching! And I've spent way too many summers embarrassed of my body. I've been hot and uncomfortable. I've avoided pool parties...and shorts. I'm tired of spending six sweaty months miserable and ashamed.
5. To get a better job - Studies show that obese people are paid less and seen as less competent than their healthy-weight colleagues. Of course, intelligence and hard work are what prove you deserve to stay in a job, but right or wrong, looks play a role in getting your foot in the door. I should do all I can to put myself in the best position to succeed.
6. To be an athlete - There was a time, long, long ago, when I kicked ass. I could hike hours on end, walk miles and miles, run, skip, dance, climb, jump, bend, PLAY. And for a while a few months ago, I was on my way back to that...but then went on this detour. Time to get back on track. I LOVE feeling physically strong. And now that I've discovered yoga, I feel like I can take my physical abilities to a whole new level.
   
7. To be HEALTHY - I stopped drinking diet soda because I felt that the chemicals weren't good for me. But yet I've slipped back into eating a bunch of junk food loaded with preservatives. That makes no sense! I know what foods are good for me, I know what a huge impact bad foods have on me, and I know that the choice of what I put into my body rests solely with me.
8. To look GOOD - I like being cute! I enjoy wearing "normal" sized clothes. I love feeling confident about my appearance. When I look good, everything else seems easier!
   
9. To be a good role-model - While I'm doing this primarily for myself, it does matter to me that I "pay it forward" and share my journey with others that could use motivation.
   
10. To realize my highest potential - I know for a fact that *THIS* isn't my best. And to do less than my best is a waste. I wasn't made to just skate by, I was made to soar. The only thing holding me back is me, and that needs to stop...

...HERE and NOW.