How lucky are we????

I'm in a very grateful kind of mood today. One of those moods where your life just seems perfect and everything seems to be falling into place. It's weird when you wake up one day and life is exactly how you always pictured it, you have the beautiful house, the most amazing husband, great family and friends and a great career that you love. It seems like it's been years working towards this point in my life and now that I am here, I am just so grateful.

I think a lot of my happiness also comes from the fact that I am leading a healthy lifestyle and after years of being extremely overweight, I finally decided to take action. I'm finally comfortable in my own skin. I love that feeling. So...in the light of my grateful mood, I thought I would TRY to say thank you for all of the support that I have received through my own blog and also from reading other blogs. It's absolutely amazing how someone elses post can motivate me to skip that chocolate bar I was craving, or make that trip to the gym even though I didn't really want to. You guys have kept me focused and on track more times that I can count. You've inspired me to live a healthy lifestyle, you've given me encouragement and motivation when I needed it the most, and you've shared your set back and successes with me and many other bloggers. So I've decided to pick 10 (although honestly there are about 25 blogs that I read daily that I truly love!) blogs that truly inspire me everyday. Just because I think you deserve recognition and praise. You are all strong, amazing women who give me the motivation that I need on my weight loss journey:

Sarah: You are always coming up with new ideas and tips and your comments on other blogs are always SO positive and motivational. You have inspired so many people! Your blog is such a great resource and honestly it's become a staple! The photo food challenge was such a great idea and I hope you'll keep it up. Also you are going back to school for something you are truly interested in and I think that is amazing!

Jodi: I love your blog Jodi because you tell it like it is. No sugar coating. If you're having an off day, you tell us about it. You always seem to say exactly what's on your mind. You express yourself very well and I couldn't count the number of your posts that I've read and then said to myself "Wow, I could have written that myself, she knows EXACTLY what I'm going through!"

Ms. Kelly: I think I can relate to your blog so much Kelly because we are at a very similar point in our weight loss efforts, we both struggled through summer BBQs, weddings, showers etc. I love your determination and you always seem to motivate me in the work out department. I also love it that you secretly challenged an old coworker or old friend (can't remember which) on the treadmill at the gym and when you could go faster and longer than she did, you felt like you had won (because that is TOTALLY something I would do!!!)

Hot Thick Chick: I'm a new reader of yours but I'm so glad I found our blog! Not only are you hilarious but you're also so easy to relate to. You're always upbeat and easy going and you seem ready to take on the whole world at any given second! You have it all together and even at the times that you don't, you're totally aware of what needs to be done and your determination is great!

Noelle: You just plain amaze me. You have your hands COMPLETELY full at all times but you still find the time to be a great mother to SIX children, lead a healthy lifestyle, follow the WW program, maintain a great blog AND make inspirational comments on other blogs! Where do you even find the time?! Everytime I read your blog, I always think, "Wow, she would make a great WW leader!" Thanks for all the kind words!

Anne: When I first started blogging about weight loss and WW, you were my 'go to' blog. All of my posts were basically modelled after yours and everytime I read one of your posts I always thought "I wish I would have thought to write about that". You have TONS of insight and always seem to be throwing out WW wisdom right left and center!

Mouseroo: I honestly don't think I could get through the day without reading your blog. Your sarcasm is just way too funny. There's no fluff here. You tell it like it is, always. I love it that you put a comical spin on some of life's most frustrating situations, especially when it comes to weight loss. I especially like it that you speak your mind, even when it goes against the grain. :)

New Year, New Me: I just found this blog not long ago but now I'm addicted! I love the confidence that you have, it shines through in every one of your posts. Your before and after pictures are seriously unbelievable and you've come such a long way. Thank you SO much for all the tips and tricks that I've picked up from your blog!

Sister Skinny: You ALWAYS have an interesting story to tell! There is never a dull moment over at Sister Skinny. I've picked up so many great ideas from this blog! You always have something positive to say to everyone who stops by and comments. It takes a lot of time and effort but I hope you know how much it is appreciated.

Amber: My first blog friend haha! You have come such a long way Amber. You spent most of the summer away from home and in an uproar but you still managed to hold yourself accountable and we all know that is nearly impossible...AND you still managed to lose some weight! You are doing a fantastic job! Thanks for all the amazing food finds!

Well that's my ten for the day, although honestly I could keep going on about another 10 blogs but I'll save that for another day!

Today after work Scott and I are going to the YMCA for our first workout. We went and took the tour yesterday after work and we are really interested but they are letting us try it out for a week before we commit. Can't wait to get on that elliptical, it's been about 6 weeks since I've been in a steady workout routine. This last 15 lbs has been hanging around WAY too long...time to say GOODBYE!! Christmas is just around the corner and I'm going to celebrate it with my new friend, the 140s!