Do you remember when your battle with the scale started? I do.
My hatred for the scale began during the 6th grade. I can still remember going from this skinny bean pole to getting boobs & hips and gaining 30 pounds during that year. Why do I remember this so vividly? I remember this because my teacher showed us our weight as we were walking in to the class and she accidentally showed my friend in front of me my weight and I can still hear the words that came out of her mouth filled with total disgust, "That is NOT my weight"!!!
WELL it was mine. Before that moment, I don't know if I ever recognized skinny vs. fat or even that people looked at other as skinny or fat. BUT after that moment I was very aware of my weight and that I was heavier than my friends around me.
My Freshman year of high school I made the cheer leading squad and was told by one of the coaches that I would need to work on losing weight, because she didn't think any of the uniforms would fit me. It took a toll on me and my self image. I began to see myself as fat and that I needed to lose weight. As a Teenager that knew nothing about nutrition, I thought the best way to do that was to just not eat. My Junior year I gave up sports and things at home were getting a little crazy. This is when I began my emotional eating! I love food and food became a comfort for me. As the numbers on the scale began to creep up I just shoved my feelings down with food.
After High School I moved to Atlanta and became a nanny. When I began my 2nd Nanny job, I was introduced to Weight Watchers. Both parents did it and I loved counting points and keeping track of my meals. I lost 20 lbs in a couple months and felt great! But that is where I seem to hit a wall! I lose just enough weight to start to feel good and then I hit a wall and slowly slip back to my old ways.
During my first year of marriage, I crossed over 200 pounds, BUT instead of doing anything about it I ate more to drown my sorrows. I continued to gain weight for the next 2 years until I hit 230 pounds. My neighborhood did a "biggest loser" competition and Gold's Gym was one of the sponsors. Two trainers came in and talked to us about diet and exercise. I decided it was time...so I joined the gym and hired a trainer. I trained hard, but only managed to lose 15 pounds...at that point I didn't understand the "secret" to losing weight!
Then SURPRISE I was pregnant! I continued to work out with my trainer for the first 5 months of my pregnancy and managed to keep my weight under control, but as soon as I stopped my weight went out of control. I gained 60 pounds during my pregnancy and I was miserable. I did not lose my baby weight. For 3 years I struggled with my weight and fought so many emotions.
In 2012 I knew it was AGAIN time for a change! I was tired and felt sick all the time. I wanted to be healthy and happy. I was weighing in at 243 pounds and I really was miserable. I couldn't believe that I had done this to myself and couldn't imagine why I continued to eat.
So I rounded up 7 other girlfriends and we did an 8 week weight loss challenge. It was so much fun! It breaks down all the components of a healthy life style into easy steps (See Here for the challenge). I highly recommend it! We all pitched in $25 and had 2 winners of $100 each! It was so fun! I lost 20 lbs during the challenge and even managed to pick up a few good habits from it!
Soon after we got pregnant with Baby #2 (we had been trying for 6 months and I was at the point I thought it wasn't going to happen)! During my 2nd pregnancy I gained 35 pounds, but this time around I was able to breastfeed for 10 months. I not only lost all my baby weight, but managed to lose a few extra along with it! Then the holidays hit and I gained a few pounds and ended the year yet again making the resolution to loose weight.
In April 2014 I decided I was done. I changed my eating completely and slowly began to lose weight! In June I decided to take the next step and join a boot camp! I knew I needed support and what better way to do that then join a couple friends that taught the boot camp in my neighborhood. It was then I became addicted to exercise. I hit a BIG goal and finally made it under 200 pounds! I could not believe it! It was the best feeling.
I have slowly come to realize a couple of things.
- Accountability is a huge part of my success
- It is OK to cheat, but don't let it make you spin out of control
- I can lose weight naturally, but it takes A LOT of work
- Slow and steady and I WILL win the race
- It is slowly becoming about how I feel and less about the number on the scale
I want to blog about my journey for a couple of reasons...
1) I believe I have a story to tell and if I can help one person not feel alone on their journey then I will have accomplished my goal.
2) I want to change my family and end the cycle of obesity in my family. I don't want my son or daughter to face the same challenges I have. I know that is possible and it can happen if I have faith. AND if I can share that with others then together, we can change the world.
So what can you look forward to...
- Weekly weigh in updates
- Favorite Recipes
- Favorite Workouts
- my meal plans
- Other ways I am changing up my life
- a little bit of Everyday Life mixed in
- Plus SO much more...
***Please note that by no means am I a professional. I have no formal training of any kind. I am just a girl writing about my own weight loss journey and sharing things that worked for me. Before starting any new life change, please consult your Dr.
