Hi All. . .I’m baaaaack! It has been way too long since I’ve shared. So, in honor of #TBT let me catch you up on what’s been happening since my last post.

Pursued an MBA part time  – Got engaged  –  Flew to Sierra Leone the next day  –  Moved  – Planned a wedding  –  Got MARRIED (!!!)  –  Interviewed for jobs out of state –  Honeymooned  –  Lived in Jersey, worked in PA, commuted to MD on weekends  –  Moved again –  Started a new job  –  House hunted  –  Bought a house  –  And oh yeah,  finally published my book Weight Loss D.I.V.A.!!! (I’ll share more about that later).

Not that you need a full rundown of my life–I understand everyone is busy. But I wanted to tell you what’s been going on with me.

I’ve been reflecting a lot on how I allow the pressures of life (whether good or bad) take priority over my personal health and wellness. When I feel stressed out I eat crappy and exercising is the last thing I want to do. It’s just another “thing” on my to-do list.

That’s how I gained back every pound that I lost 6 years ago—and more.

In my book Weight Loss D.I.V.A., I reflect on my weight loss journey—the ups, downs, bends, and turns. I’ve had amazing “success” and equally amazing “failures.” I mean, who wants a PERFECT WEIGHT LOSS STORY anyway–cliché’ cliché’ (shout out to the Beyoncé fans, you’ll get the reference). I talk about the principles I learned (and I am still learning) along the way. Hence, the acronym D.I.V.A.

Discipline.            Inspiration.         Victory.         Acceptance.

When I lost 144 lbs six years ago I was bold enough to claim, “Even if I gain all the weight back, I know I can lose it again with the confidence and principles I’ve learned through this process.” Well, now it’s time to put my money where my mouth is. I am recommitting to my health and wellness goals by practicing what I preach in my book.

And I need your help. If there’s one thing I now understand its that I CANNOT DO IT ALONE. I read somewhere that it takes. . .

4 weeks for YOU to see your body changing

 8 weeks for your FRIENDS & FAMILY

12 weeks for the rest of the WORLD

With that in mind I’m kicking off a 12 week personal challenge as I press the reset button on my health. This will end right around my husband’s favorite holiday—Thanksgiving. I figured I’d be cheesy and give this challenge a hashtag like everything else these days:

#gratiFIT

Over the next 12 weeks I’ll build healthier habits which will hopefully become lifestyle changes that stick—no quick-fixes. Starting with the theme of  DISCIPLINE to follow my book’s story-line.

Stay close to the blog and my social media channels so you can keep me accountable and vice versa. Join me! Let’s do this together.

Until next time!

P.S. – (In case you’re nosy like I am and want to see pix from my wedding here’s a quick video–I cry every time LOL)