Greetings!

My name is Becky Kimball and I have vowed to start a healthier life today. No more messing around. My body aches, my self esteem is low, and I am having health issues that I really want to get rid of. Yes, this about the billionth time I have started my "diet", but I am going to look at it from a different perspective. All of these new, wonderful foods I am putting into my body are going to make me healthy, happy and pretty! The saying "You are what you eat" is so true. I am excited to have energy and have a clear mind. I know it will take at least a week to get used to all this, but it will be so worth it.

The funny thing is, I have the whole exercise thing down. Last April, I discovered Zumba, which is a latin inspired dance fitness program, and it is hot, hot, hot! I became a Zumba junkie and went to class everyday. Within 5 months I had lost 35 pounds and was feeling great. I loved this program so much that I even went to a Zumba workshop and certified to be a Zumba instructor. I will admit that I was timid to do so because of my size. I had this stereotype in my mind that all fitness instructors have to be thin. But I pushed myself and wanted to be an inspiration to everyone and let them know that you don't have to be a certain age or size to do Zumba.

So, I certified and am now teaching two Zumba classes a week in my area. It has been an AMAZING experience and I love every minute of it. I feel like so much has already changed with me physically, but.....I am still overweight, and it is due to what goes in the ole piehole. I will confess. I am addicted to food. It is not because I am stressed. It is not because I am sad. It is not because I am emotional. I just LOVE to eat. What else can I say? I need to just be honest with myself and everyone else and admit there is a problem. So here it is....I have a problem! Good news. It is about to change!

For the first few months I am staying away from caffeine, dairy, gluten and sugar. This will be hard I know, but it will cleanse my body of toxins and give my body a jump start. I am also doing a liver cleanse, and taking new vitamins, such as fish oil, vitamin B and pro-biotics. I have done this all before and the first few days always feel like I have been hit by a Mack truck. So I have decided to not do Zumba or any other exercising for a week. It's going to be all about the eating.....clean eating I should say.

Yes, I know you are thinking "She needs to eat in moderation!" I have tried all methods, and this always works the best for me. I need to face the fact that my body does not do well with dairy or gluten. It causes inflammation in my organs and makes my body hurt all over. It also clouds my thinking to where I cannot think straight or remember. Eventually, I know I will be able to re-introduce these things to my system, but in small amounts. Sugar I just totally need to stay away from. I am afraid that is the case with caffeine, too. I LOVE coffee and it has been here to greet me every morning with its wonderful smell and taste. But it tears up my stomach and causes lots of anxiety. So, green tea has taken its place. That is what I had this morning and my head is already feeling clear.

I decided to make this blog so I can record what I do each and everyday. I really want to track my success and stick with it. The big thing that really gets to me is seeing pictures of myself. Ack! I just hate it. Recent pics of me compared to pics 20 years ago just really upset me. I am not even the same girl. I want to get back to being ME physically and emotionally. I am going to do it this time.

I hope you follow me on this journey and find some good inspiration on the way. I want to be a good example for everyone! Watch out world....here comes the old Becky!