After an admittedly long break between posts – I am officially back. Seriously dedicated to making some serious life changes, losing weight and blogging about it along the way.

The past year has been incredibly difficult and any progress I had made has been lost. Between my husband’s now almost complete disability, my own health problems, working to support our small family on one part-time, freelance income, and trying to raise a healthy, happy 3 year old is it any wonder I feel stressed (a major eating trigger for me) and am dealing with bouts of depression?

It’s easy to look at everything that is wrong with our lives right now and make excuses. People who know me ask all the time how we are hanging on. Most days I do the bare minimum to get by. That rarely includes exercise and (until recently) frequently included fast food. Unfinished projects at home and online pile up as I put things off over and over again.

Still, I’ve been depressed and overweight before as a teenager. I took control, got healthy and stayed that way until the first time I got sick. I CAN do it again. I WILL do it again. I have farther to go this time so it will take longer. It will take more work. It won’t be easy. This blog is my anchor. Writing and researching will keep me focused.

Thanks for indulging me, reading this bit of personal mess. Back to fitness on a budget tips tomorrow.

I’ve been away from the blog for a few weeks, first with the flu (little guy, then me) and lately I’ve been working as much as possible. We are trying to prepare for my husband losing his job in the next couple of weeks. He won’t be out of work for long (already having 3 offers) but will definitely be taking a pay cut with a new company.

We are finally getting our finances straight after some major medical bills a few years back and do not want to get in that position again. Thankfully, January is the busiest month for my bookkeeping business.

I am working on some new stuff for the blog and will be posting some free downloads later this week. I wanted to check in and let you all know that I have not completely disappeared.

Please bear with me as my posts may be sporadic (or at least very short) through January.

I am serious about getting back to walking. Last spring I would head out to walk 2-3 times per week. We live across the street from a park with a fabulous walking track so I really have no excuse (except for the weather sometimes) to not get out there whenever I have an extra 20 minutes. Tracking my walking miles on FitnessJournal.org will help but I think I need something more for my exercise motivation.

Back in April my hard drive crashed. While I recovered most of my important files from backups all my (legally) download music was lost. So for every 6 miles that I walk I am going to buy a new workout song from Amazon. Their MP3 downloads are only $0.89 or $0.99 a piece, very budget friendly.

Here’s my question. What should I get? What are your favorite songs to keep motivated? I don’t really stay up with all the latest music and I like a little of everything.