January 1st, 2010.

That is the day I decided it was time to change my life for the better, for the healthier. I had always had some extra pounds on me, but I never truly realized how much extra I had. I stepped on the scale for the first time in months, and weighed in at 232.1 lbs. That number shocked me.

I had always been able to get away with the extra weight, because I am around 5′10. I called myself “big-boned” but I knew I was lying. I knew it was time for a change, and this time, I was serious about it. I knew that I was starting college in around 7 months, and I didn’t want to start it with an unhealthy amount of weight on. Diabetes, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, and a lot of other things are very prevalent in my family, so I didn’t want to hinder my potential in life, because of poor lifestyle decisions that I had made. That day, I decided that I wanted to be at around 175 lbs. by my high-school graduation. Not only to look good in my dress, but more than that, I wanted to be healthy. Truly healthy.

March 17, 2010.

We had Circus Day at school, and I only have one pair of shorts that matched with the shirt we had to wear. I pulled it out for the first time in three months and it was HUGE on me. When I mean huge, I mean I had to button my belt to the fifth loop!

Weight Lost (Fat): 25 lbs.

Weight Gained (Muscle): 6.5 lbs.

Pant Sizes Dropped: 3

Top Sizes Dropped: 1-2

Still have around 25-30 lbs. to lose in the next few months, and I am going to continue working hard at it!

“Our prejudices arise from the fear of things we do not understand. If my generation has a single goal, it must be to promote education – education that advances us not only technologically, but also intuitively and emotionally. In today’s fast-paced world, advancing has to mean more than scientific discovery; it is our responsibility to force ourselves beyond our comfort zones and become knowledgeable about the people around us.”

-Jessica Arden Ettinger (Starbucks customer and student at the University of Virginia)

*Found the quote  on a Starbucks cup.

So, it was brought to my attention this Wednesday night as I was helping out as a host on the Internet Campus… that I look like Dora the Explorer. Yes, THE Dora the Explorer. The one with the little purple book bag that somehow manages to fit a raft inside of it. The one that has a map that not only talks to her, but sings to her the directions (better than any Garmin GPS out there) on how to get to some magical castle. The one who has a best friend who is a blue monkey that happens to enjoy rocking red moonboots. Yes, THE Dora who spends all her days running away from some creepy Bandito fox who wants to snatch her book bag and hinder her plans.

Oh, boy. Do I really look like Dora? The decision was unanimous all around on Wednesday night… what do YOU think?

I’m a free spirit, I really am. I have been longing to take a road trip for some time now, and the more I wait, the antsier I get! I love traveling, I love meeting new people, I love new places, new cultures, new experiences. I will be one of the 80 something year old ladies that is driving down Route 66 wearing a sun visor, Hawaiian shirt, and some over-sized sunglasses while blasting some good music! Anyone else a free spirit? Any one else game for a road trip?

What are some of your favorite places that you’ve experienced while on a road trip?