Here’s the deal. I’ve never been fat, overweight, obese, or even pudgy. I was a skinny kid that grew up to be a skinny adult. The most I’ve ever weighed is 158 pounds and that is when I was nine months pregnant.

However, I have been unhealthy, exhausted, weak, had chronic back pain, frequent migraines, was addicted to sugar & caffeine, and just plain sick.

Almost three years ago I was fed up. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I was 39 years old and these problems weren’t going to fix themselves. Gone where the days in my 20’s when a week of salads and juice could cure just about anything.

I decided one Sunday evening that enough was enough and that Monday would be the first day of the rest of my new healthy life.

Now, almost three years later I can tell you that this isn’t a fad, a challenge, or 28 days to a healthier you.

This is the first day of the rest of your new life.

It will be hard, especially at first. You will hate me and anyone else who is holding you accountable.

You will probably hate working out, getting up earlier, and changing your diet. The first four weeks are going to stink, maybe even the first six.

But, after a while you will learn a few things. Exercise can be fun, healthy food is tasty, and a life of moderation is actually a pretty good life.

But most importantly, you are creating a legacy of health and fitness for your children and those around you. Without a doubt I’m a better parent, wife, co-worker, and friend now that I’m healthy. I can do more, think clearer, keep up with my kids, and do fun things with them that before was something I watched them do from the sidelines.

I wouldn’t have even attempted to jump on the trampoline before I got fit for good.

Don’t just do this for yourself, do it for your family and friends.

My friend Tabitha shared this with me just this morning.

A few weeks ago, I was sitting on the couch working on my blog.

I looked over at my son who was seated beside me with his tablet and noticed his double chin… a double chin that looked an awful lot like mine. I realized that as much as I want my children to succeed, I was setting my children up with an example for failure.

Physical failure. Health failure. The very essence of what would make them live a happy and successful life.

I was cursing them to live within a padded suit of heavy, uncomfortable flesh… to never be seen as the creative people they are but to be stereotyped and lumped in the category of being fat and lazy.

With my own health in a shambles, I knew in that moment that if I didn’t change my life, my children would be forever imprisoned by the habits I was creating in them.

Why do you need to make these changes in your life?

What is holding you back? Time, money, fear? 

I’m telling you today that you can do it.

I believe in you.

I know it may be hard, but it will be worth it.

So, here’s how it is going to work.

For the next 52 weeks there will a weekly post here sharing tips, ideas, encouragement, success stories, or recipes. For accountability I would love for you to join the Fit for Good Facebook group.

I know most people don’t need one more group to deal with, but consider this group your virtual accountability buddy and personal trainer. It will be crucial to your success.

We will have weekly and monthly challenges, but they are optional. I’ve met a lot of people who have made major changes to their health and the one thing that I’ve found to be true is that there are some basic principles for getting fit.

• Move more.
• Eat healthier.
• Drink a lot of water.
• Get a good night’s sleep.
• Be consistent in all of the above.

For some people running is the key, for others it might be interval training, and others might love workout videos. They all work for different people.

Some people give up carbs, some people drink smoothies for breakfast every day, or stop eating out. These also work for different people.

There is not a one size fits all approach to fitness. We all have different goals and our bodies react differently to certain foods and exercises.

My goal is for you to find what works for you and to start doing it consistently. 

End of story. I’m not here to sell you any product or system or tell you that in 28 days your life will be changed forever, because that’s a bunch of bull.

I’m here to encourage you to change your life. For good.

Will you join me? Your new life begins on January 5, 2015.

More Fit For Good

• Join the Fit for Good Facebook group for daily encouragement, tips, and accountability
• Read previous Fit for Good articles
• Submit a link to your blog article about getting fit, and it might be featured on The Happy Housewife. Link submission form.