In the Beginning..

Welcome to my blog!  This May I turned 40 years old!  Yep, you heard me, the big 4-0!  Turning 40 has really made me take a look at my life and some of the things I am happy with, and some of the things I am not so happy with.  One of the things I am the least happy about is my weight, and how I have let my weight define me, including what I can do and what I can't.  Basically, I have let my weight limit me.  Does this sound familiar to anyone else?  I have always been the "funny fat friend", the one you call when you need cheering up, a night out on the town, a good laugh, a delicious meal.  I have been the "eternal" best friend to many a single man, the supportive friend to others trying to make changes in their life and the comic relief to those going through tough times... and I love that about me, and all of that brings me joy beyond measure, however, it also makes me sad at times.  Throughout the years I have watched several of my friends succeed, and even encouraged them to do so with their weight loss goals, but have not been so encouraging of myself.  Yesterday, I ran into a friend of mine that I haven't seen in about 2 years and I hardly recognized her.  About 2 1/2 years ago this friend was complaining about her weight and I encouraged her to sign up for weight watchers with me.  We went to meetings together for a couple of months, but my life started to get really busy (I was working 2 jobs) and I stopped going and lost contact with her.  Imagine my surprise when I see her 2 years later and 80 lbs.. yes, I said 80 lbs lighter.. she had stuck with weight watchers and made getting healthy her priority, while I had not.  She looks amazing, while I am still in the same place that I have always been... the "funny fat friend", the one who continues to let my weight control and define who I am... well not anymore! 

At the beginning of 2012, I made a resolution that this was the year that I was going to take care of me!  The year I was going to put self improvement first on my list!  The year that I was going to stick with and succeed at something.  Since January, I have made some huge steps with this in some areas... I started seeing a therapist to work on some of my self limiting behaviors, I took control of some situations that I was not happy with at my job, and I signed up for an online dating website (I could write a whole blog on this topic alone) in an effort to meet some single straight guys.  I also did a lot of thinking about getting healthier, but made no real progress, until now.  About 2 months ago I joined a gym and I actually love working out..I just love hanging out and do fun things with friends, or watching my favorite television shows, or doing other things more.  I seem to always have an excuse of why I am not consistent with my gym attendance.  I have even been paying for Weight Watchers online for the past 6 months, however, I have again not followed that plan consistently, but I have had a couple of "wake up calls"in the past month, and I am determined to make my health a priority, and somehow figure out a way to still have fun while losing weight.  This blog is going to be dedicated to that. 

A few weeks ago I went to Baltimore for work and met up with my wonderful friend Anica who I hadn't seen in 4 years.  She and I had a long discussion about how we both felt like we were ready, willing and able to make the changes in our lives we needed to in order to be healthy.  We came up with a plan, which included us holding each other accountable to stick with things, and weekly check ins with each other or what we like to call "our health hotties check in".  I guess like an online support group since we live thousands of miles apart.  In doing all this it got me thinking that maybe setting up a blog could not only help me but others as well.... so here it is.. my blog.  I title the blog "Real Change" since that is what is necessary in my life in order to get to where I want to be...the "healthy thin funny friend".  After the talk that Anica and I that night on the way back to my hotel we randomly stopped to have someone take our picture.  I didn't realize it until later on but in the picture we are standing in front of a boat with the name "Reel Change".  I think that was more than coincidence, considering our conversation that night, and because of that, I have decided to adopt the motto of "Real Change" as I start this new adventure.  I am hoping, no I am planning on that in a year from now, you will see a thinner, healthier Camille, but until then I will keep you updated through the blog on my progress, trials, success, highs and lows.  Keep on checking back in on the blog and feel free to post your encouraging thoughts, tips, ect.  I would love to hear from you all.  Just keep in mind that I am not a professional blogger so there is bound to be a few formatting hiccups along the way!  If you are interested in being a contributer to this blog and joining in on the weight loss journey.. let me know!  The more healthy hotties.. the better!

                             "Reel Change" - the before picture for Anica and I.. June 6, 2012