strawberry shortstuff

My name is Diana and a few years ago – actually on September 24, 2006 to be exact, I quit smoking and took my first step towards a healthier life!

I’m not even sure why I smoked to begin with. I started in my early twenties and only smoked for a few years.

What the heck was I thinking?!?

In an effort to quit I replaced my very bad smoking habit with another bad habit – hot apple cider!

Although it got me through my cravings and I enjoyed it thoroughly, I like many other “quitters” gained a few pounds! (probably about 20 – yikes!)

About a month later – October 20, 2006 – I decided to replace my bad hot apple cider habit with exercise and a balanced diet!

That day I resolved to get moving, get healthy, and rid my diet of all things fast food.

So I took to the treadmill for an hour almost every day and started counting calories! Wow – my extra “cider pounds” began to melt away! 

It was such a great feeling to know that my hard work was paying off.

However, a new job and move to a new city threw my routine out of whack and the first thing to be neglected was my workout. I did however try very hard to maintain a healthy diet, which is the only reason I didn’t gain all the weight back – just a few pounds!

When October 20th of 2008 rolled around – exactly 2 years after I first resolved to get fit – I decided that this time I would do it and stick to it!

Since then I have been working out regularly, eating a balanced diet and doing my very best to get fit!  

Since my first attempt to get fit I have shed 25 pounds and have kept it off!

The changes in my body have been great and I feel better than I ever have!

I strive, not to lose weight anymore but to gain muscle, strength and good health.

Writing strawberry shortstuff allows me to monitor my progress, reflect on my journey, stay motivated, and share my experiences.

I pull much of my inspiration and motivation from food and fitness blogs and can only hope that some of you will pull the same motivation from mine!