Getting back on the (proverbial) horse

So here we are.  It's the 18th of October,  in the year 2012.
Last year at this time I was full of motivation and enthusiasm,  and had lost a substantial amount of weight in a relatively short period of time.
This year,  eh,  notsomuch.   In fact, much to my chagrin,  it seems that I have regained back EVERY.SINGLE.POUND  I lost last year,   and added 5 more for good measure while we vacationed in the U.K. this September.

Now it would be easy to make excuses about how and why this happened.   Lord knows I have used each and every excuse in the book at least once.
The short answer,  or the real reason is easy :   I got lazy,  and relapsed into eating too much and not moving enough.

So, what am I going to do about it ?
Well for one,   we are making an effort to rid our diets of the crap we have been eating,  and move back towards something much cleaner, and healthier.  So, no more processed foods.
No more white anything (it's back to learning to like my tea WITHOUT sugar.)

I dusted off my YMCA membership card today and headed to the gym this morning.  Was it pretty ?  Heck no !   Was I disappointed in my lack of energy, my decreased fitness level, and the fact that 30 minutes of easy cardio left me almost exhausted ?   ABSO-flipping-LUTELY.    Am I going to give up ?   Again,  HECK NO !

Last weekend we made a trip to Grove City, PA to pick up my new-to-me road bike.  I had found a steal of a deal on a bicycle forum online  (aside: who knew that cycling was as popular as it apparently is ??  Not this girl,  that's for certain).   The seller and I agreed to split the drive (he was in Pittsburgh) for me to pick up the bike in Grove City.   What girl can pass up the opportunity for a little outlet shopping  while waiting to get my new bike ?

I am now the proud owner of this beauty  :

I call him "Serge"

I no longer have any excuse not to get out moving and do something.   I have contacted the people who organize the Tour Du Lac and have expressed my interest in participating , with my Sweetie of course,  next summer.  As soon as I can officially commit myself to do it,  I will,  as extra insurance that I will continue to be active and train for the event so I'm able to complete it !

I'm going to try to remain positive,  make good choices and not beat myself up (too badly, anyway)  for the not-so-good choices I may make along the way.

It's time to get back on the horse.   Or at least into the saddle  ;)