Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Where to begin....

I've never started a blog before, never thought I had a reason to start one. But on New Year's Day 2011, I decided that I was going to do whatever I had to do to become healthy again. And having a place to write about it - vent when things are tough, celebrate when great things happen - is something I feel is going to help me stay on this path.

Up until I had my first son, over 12 years ago, I never had to worry about my weight. I could eat anything and everything (and I did), and not gain an ounce. I looked great....I felt great. Then motherhood hit.

I did okay with losing the weight after I had my oldest, Thomas. Luckily most of the weight came right off. Then, three years later, I had Matthew. Okay, this time it was a bit tougher to lose the weight, especially since I had started out the pregnancy at a higher weight. But eventually I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight, and while it was a bit higher than I would have liked, I was happy with how I looked. Then Nathan came along two years later....

I swear, that child took every bit of my metabolism and hangs on to it to this day. I initially lost the pregnancy weight, but the pounds kept creeping back, adding a few more each month. My clothes were getting tighter, and I was feeling the effects of the extra weight. I was tired, crabby and had no energy.

Sure, I had a few times where I'd kick my butt into gear for a month or so, eating better and walking when I had the chance. But the pounds just stuck with me, and I gave it up at least a dozen times. I just got to the point where I accepted that I was fat, and that was that.

This time, I'm done with quitting. I am NOT going to sit by while the pounds suck the life out of me. I used to be so outgoing, but the way I look and feel has held me back. I don't want to be like that, and it stops now.

So, on January 10, 2011, I signed up for Weight Watchers. I have some great friends online (Jenn, Ashley, just to name a couple) who raved about the program. I knew I needed something to hold me accountable, so I bit the bullet and signed up. Going into that first meeting was difficult for me...I felt like I was waving a big banner that said "Hey, look at me - I'm huge!!!". But it's been great for me. Knowing that I'll be weighed in once a week has actually been a boost, and the meetings are full of wonderful ideas. Since I joined 3 1/2 weeks ago, I have lost 8.8 pounds. This is a milestone for me - I've never lost that kind of weight in less than a month, ever.

On the heels of this, I also decided to start a Couch to 5K program. Some of the women I know around here are great runners, and while I don't know if I'll ever be in those ranks, I want that feeling of accomplishment from finishing a race. I got the app for my iPhone, and it's shaping me into the runner I never was. Even in my skinny days, I never enjoyed running. Now I look forward to the segments of running in the program. This weekend I'll be signing up for the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K. And I WILL finish it! I might be last, but I'll cross that finish line with my head held high.

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