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I’ve learned a lot over the last 10 months, but one of the biggies is that each day is the beginning of a new journey.

Daily, I have to refocus my efforts to live a healthier lifestyle. Daily, I have to resolve to workout and eat better.

Daily, I have to remind myself that I have lost 26 pounds and am nearly at the end of my weightloss journey.

Then the toning journey begins. Not that I have a clue where to even begin. And let’s not even talk about the I want to start running journey.

With each small victory, whether it’s scale-related or a nonscale victory, I feel like a champion.

Pants loose around the thighs? Awesome. No longer need to button and zip that favorite pair of jeans to get out of them? Fabulous. That hoody that used to be tight enough you couldn’t wear a tanktop under it? Yeah, it’s great when the sleeves slide up your arms while you’re doing your weight routine. Oh, and congrats on being able to fit multiple shirts under it now and still have room.

Weightloss takes time and dedication and, I’ll be honest, in May I wasn’t sure I’d have enough of either. But making time for exercise is like making time for that person you’re in a new relationship with: The amount of time you have available is the amount of time you make available. And you and I both know, if that person’s interesting enough or cute enough, you can come up with plenty of time to spend with them.

For me, this journey’s been a chance to see what I’m made of and to get to know myself again. For so long, I’ve focused on what I’m doing - college, reporting, updating JDNews, writing a column of things to do in the area, etc. - instead of just living. When I’m walking, it’s a chance to think, observe the peacefulness and beauty of a nice evening, or just enjoy the quiet. My three-miles on the stationary bike each morning give me a chance to listen to a Joyce Meyer broadcast and get motivated for the day.

And now, 10 months after the journey began, I’m less than one pound away from having “teen” in my weight again. My revised goal is 117 pounds, which gives me a 30-pound loss and has me in the midst of the healthy weight range for my lack of height.

I’m 3.6 pounds away from that now, and I cannot wait to get there.

As the days get a bit longer, it’s occurred to me that spring will be here soon. And with spring, comes one particularly important time of year: beach season.

I’m an Eastern North Carolina girl born and raised, minus a couple duty stations in my early years, and with that comes a need for the beach that many probably don’t understand.

And this year, it’s become a competition.

For years, I’ve been the largest of my group of girlfriends to don a bikini and head out to the beach. This year, my friend who’s always been among the smallest is worried about getting in shape to keep up with me.

I’m not going to lie, when she told me about the conversation she had with her boyfriend about needing to workout more to keep up, I about did a jig. Then it occurred to me that I’ve slacked off for about a month now. I haven’t been working out nearly as much, I’ve been eating more snacks than I had since I began this journey last summer, and I really just haven’t cared. My pants are too big, again, and I’m not buying new ones until spring anyways, so why worry about it?

But the hint of warm weather in the future has given me some ambition again, friends and readers. I have my bikini picked out and I’m ready to get the body I want in time for beach season. After all, I intend to be there at least twice a week as soon as it’s warm enough to head out for more than a quick stroll.

Today was day one of “Operation Beach Body,” as I’m referring to it. Of course, with work and everything going on in my personal life, free time is a rarity so the plan is to add my workouts to my mornings before I come into work. And I slept through my alarm for my 5:30 a.m. wake up and proceeded to sleep until 7:15. I had enough time to get my breakfast, crunches and weights in, so tonight will be a long walk with Chopper the rotten husky and a couple miles on my stationary bike.

The plan is as follows:

• Lose between five and 10 more pounds.
• Tone up my tummy.
• Purchase multiple bikinis that make me smile.
• Get a tanning package.
• Have awesome summer on beach.

What are your goals, whether they’re short term or long term?

I never thought I’d see the day.

In May when I began this journey, my goal was 25-30 pounds lost. I modified it as I went since, frankly, I wasn’t sure I’d ever lose 25-30 pounds. I got to 15 OK, made it to 20, and finally saw 122 on my scale this morning.

I’m stoked. In fact, I think I may celebrate by taking Chopper for a long walk despite the rainy gross weather. Typically, I celebrate by going to Bojangles (doesn’t make much sense does it?) but that’s not an option today.

Anyways, that’s all I’ve got. Today’s my day off and I intend to enjoy it as best I can. I may even work on a few of my projects.