Okay, here it goes: first blog post ever!I never would have considered starting a blog until this morning. I can't tell you how much of a struggle it has been my entire life to even keep a hand written journal.It's kind of funny, though, the ideas and realizations that will strike when one steps on a scale...This morning, July 2, 2018, on a blustery day, heat bugs roaring outside my window... I weighed in at 293 pounds. This is the absolute heaviest I have ever been in my 29 years of life.HUGE wake up call, let me tell you.–Insert instant depressive thoughts involving not eating or eating anything to forget–Off and on for the past ten years I have attempted to lose weight. My best record was a loss of 40 pounds. But then, life changed, I fell off the wagon, the wagon backed over me, pulled forward, backed over me again, and then took off.And here I am now.It's time.I tell myself this same phrase nearly weekly. A Monday will come and go, and I'll say "Well, next Monday." And then the cycle continues.No more. It's time.How? I thrive on routine, so it is time to kickstart myself into one! Every week, I will meal plan for the days following. I will upkeep my food log on MyFitnessPal. I will exercise at least 3 times a week, to start. I will blog my journey daily, or at least every other day. Every month, I will keep a log of measurements. Every week, on the same day and around the same time, I will step on that scale. And I won't be afraid to do so. I'll keep myself accountable, and find an accountabilibuddy(ies) to help me do so.Motivations? Well, those things are certainly the most important for a lifestyle change, right? In the fall, I will begin my first ever year of teaching high school social studies. It's my first "adult" job. I want to be my best self for my family, friends, students, and coworkers. Most importantly, I need to be my best self for me. Not to mention, I'd love to climb a few flights of stairs without feeling like I'm going to die. I want to wear that "sexy black dress" that every woman should have. I want to present myself with the utmost confidence and positivity. But perhaps the biggest motivation? I want to love me. I want to be proud of me.So, here goes nothing.