I am SO happy it’s Friday! All of the kids have been out of school for two days now, and with the holiday weekend, we’ve got big plans. I’m excited! I’m also excited because, as you probably know, I’ve been working on losing weight for what feels like forever.

But, it’s actually more like 8-9 months. I wrote this winter about the Memorial Day Hottie challenge, and for the past week, I’ve been hoping against hope that I could reach my goal by Memorial Day.

Aaaaaannnnnndddddd….I did it!! I have lost a total of 40 pounds! YAY!!

(I can’t believe I posted that publicly)

(I also really need a pedicure)

Since becoming a gluten free household, my Weight Watchers account (and accountability) has become completely dormant. That’s a big part of why I’ve had so much trouble the last few months.

I made it halfway through the Couch To 5K program, completing week 4 (out of 8). That was way more jogging than I thought I could do, but I kind of gave up. My mom and I have been taking the kids to the high school track nearby and walking while they play in the sand pit and bleachers. It’s been working out really well, and we do a little over 3 miles each time.

She and I also walked a 5K a few weeks ago, which was really satisfying! I know it’s not running, and not a huge deal, but we didn’t come in last place and we were happy. And since then, we’ve kept up the distance.

That same weekend, I followed my mom’s lead and started the Digest Diet to try to kick start the weight loss again. I wasn’t super strict about it, but I did lose three more pounds. AND, I started eating WAY more vegetables than I had been, and have kept that up.

I know the #memorialdayhottie challenge was not supposed to be about the number on the scale. And I’ve really tried to not focus on that. I feel stronger, I’m eating better, I am definitely more confident in my own skin.

But it’s also nice to see the number go down!