I recently read the following motivational saying...Losing weight is hard...Maintaing weight is hard...Staying fat is hard...CHOOSE YOUR HARD.It's SO true. Yes losing weight is hard but think how hard your life is staying overweight. For me because I am still young and otherwise healthy (low blood pressure, good cholesterol etc.) it's not as big of a health issue (yet) so it's hardest for me mentally vs. physically. I beat myself up over it: feel badly when I look in the mirror, see a bad angle picture, or can't fit into something I want to wear (like most high boots). So it is hard to stay fat. Now I am choosing the losing weight hard. I am determined to have super significant weight loss numbers by April. Weekly weigh-in update: As I stated a few weeks ago... to be more accountable to myself and you - I am going to report my weight loss or gain every week. This week I was up 2 lbs. after losing 5 whole pounds the week prior!!! I knew I was going to be up - I hosted Thanksgiving, enjoyed it to the fullest and unfortunately had and enjoyed all the leftovers over the next few days. Unlike in the past when I would have beat myself up over it - this time I am ok with it as I thought: "Did you enjoy yourself on Thanksgiving?" (Yes.). "Think of what it would have been like if you wouldn't have lost 5 the week prior! It would have been an overall gain but it's not." So I am doing great this week and keep pushing myself. I hope to have a good loss to report to you next week! Have a great week/weekend everyone!SONG THAT KEPT ME RUNNING THIS WEEK: "Paradise" Coldplay - Listen to the lyrics when you run. It's about a dreamer which I find motivating. Plus - they are my favorite band :).RANDOM TIP OF THE WEEK: Make vegetable soup like I made below and eat a cup (literally) of vegetable soup before your lunch or dinner. I know this is an old trick but I think it will help during the holidays.THIS WEEK'S RECIPE: Easy Super Healthy Vegetable Soup - super healthy for snacking to help us during the calorie filled holidays and maybe ward off some colds with the nutrient packed veggies!NOTE: You can use whatever vegetables you want/have in the fridge but I think the musts are leeks and cabbage.Easy Super Healthy Vegetable Soup3 leeks (white at light green parts only), cleaned well and chopped1 medium onion, chopped1 red pepper, chopped1 yellow pepper, chopped1 1/2 cups broccoli, chopped2 carrots, chopped4 cups of cabbage, chopped (I buy this pre-chopped)1 cup kale, de-ribbed & chopped3 quarts chicken or vegetable stock5 cloves garlic1.5 tsp of dried thyme2 tsp kosher salt1 tsp fresh ground pepper.5 tsp red pepper flakes (skip if you don't like heat)Juice from 1/2 a lemonfresh herbs (optional - I used parsley)Put all the vegetables, chicken stock and thyme in a pot (reserving the garlic). Cover & bring to a low boil and simmer for 5 minutes, add the garlic and simmer for another 5 minutes or so (it depends how you like your vegetables - I like mine to still be crunchy). Remove from heat. Add salt, pepper, pepper flakes, lemon juice and herbs.

read more: CHOOSE YOUR HARD