Day 1: I'm back (for what seems like the millionth time)

I'm back for what seems like the millionth time of recommitting to my weight loss goals. In the past I have had an all-or-nothing approach (a big no-no, right?). Seeing as this hasn't really worked out, and I'm basically back to where I was a year ago (a bit of roller coastering plus an additional 5 more pounds) - something needs to change. While it has taken me awhile to recapture my motivation and find my way back to wanting to change, at least I'm here now and I'm ready to go.

I've reset all my goals, took measurements, took photos, rid the kitchen of unhealthy items, and set up some short term (monthly) goals for my kick-off month. I'm not overly concerned about the upcoming holidays throwing me offtrack - because eating some special treats around Christmas is not the reason I am overweight. Reasonable snacking during the holidays is ok. I'm overweight because of long term overeating habits and poor food choices (calories in >> calories expended), not because of a holiday season.

I've also grown tired of saying "I used to...(fill in the blank with some healthy activity - hiking, kayaking, dancing, etc.)" - because I never actually voice the second half of that sentence which is invariably "but now I don't because I'm not as fit and/or I'm too self conscious about being so out of shape and overweight." These are things that I used to love to do, and now I am not doing them to the extent that I would like. And I miss that woman who did all these things.

So it's time to change my daily habits. It's the decisions that I make every day that are in need of tweaking. And it's time for me to start really focusing on the long term goals, rather than obsessing with an all-or-nothing approach, because that's not super realistic - there's bound to be some mishaps along the way. It's how I respond to those mishaps which will make the difference for me in the long run.

Edited to add my starting "before photos".