I’ve been feeling better about myself lately than I can ever remember. This way of eating has improved so many aspects of the way I feel, both physically and mentally. I returned to the Bod Pod a couple of weeks ago to check on my progress of my body composition and was not disappointed; since February (or really since April, as that’s when I started Keto) I’ve lost 9.4 pounds of fat, or 3% of my total!

This has in turn made me pause and consider the issue of self-esteem and humility, and keeping a healthy balance between the two. Having spent most of my life with rather low self-esteem, it is a bit of a foreign feeling to have something closer to a healthy level of self-worth. Those of you in similar circumstances can relate I’m sure. Accepting a compliment, acknowledging that you look good in a new outfit, having the confidence to wear something more form-fitting…so many new paths to navigate. I see it as a part of a somewhat changing identity. When you make such a dramatic change in your life, even though you are much the same person at heart, the world sees you differently, and (sadly) treats you differently as well. It can be easy to let this go to your head, and I hope that I am not guilty of this. I find that I “check myself” when given a compliment, when feeling good about something I’ve accomplished or at approving of the way I look in the mirror. The loss of fat has allowed me to see more of the muscles I’ve been working to build (including the glimmer of some abs!), which has given me confidence as well. But I also can’t deny that when I look in the mirror the first thing I tend to see are the flaws: the sun spots on my face, the sagging skin on my neck and midsection and the cellulite on my legs. Why oh why is this such a tough mental game??

It’s very important to me that while I continue on this journey to better health I also maintain my sense of balance, stay grounded, and don’t forget who I am, where I started and how far I’ve come. You may have noticed that I’ve been Instagramming more lately, in particular my workouts. My hope is that by continuing to blog my journey (the good, the bad and the ugly) I can keep myself grounded while at the same time motivating and encouraging others to start or keep on their own journeys. To be honest I was fearful that the Instagram posts would be viewed as boastful or arrogant. The truth is that it’s not always easy for me to post these, and the intent behind them is only to encourage and inspire (both myself and others). There have been so many people along my journey that continue to help me to keep my head in the game, for which I will be forever grateful, and I feel like this is one way I can give back. I enjoy sharing what I’m doing and what I’ve learned along the way, which is the single biggest reason I started this blog.

So thank you to all those positive forces around me who have lifted me up, listened to me complain, let me cry on your shoulders, and celebrated victories with me. I owe you all and hope to continue to make you proud!!