Big Loser...

If you are 115 pounds &/or wear a size 0, this post is not for you. I meant to post this yesterday but I got side tracked. I don't want to take away from Shakira's previous birthday post but I needed to post this before tonight. Some of you who have known me for a long time know that I have struggled with my weight most of my life. I was a skinny baby who became a "healthy" child who became an over weight pre teen who became an anorexic teen who became a recovering anorexic teen who became an overweight teen who lost the college freshman "33" who had a couple of healthy weight years as a young adult who then became an overweight adult who then became an obese adult.

In July of 2004 when Phoebe was 10 months old & I was a "voluptous" 206 pounds, I decided that it was time to start losing weight...and for the first time in my life I was determined to do it the "right" way...the healthy way. I joined Weight Watchers. During the first year I lost 26 pounds. I should have lost more but 4 months after I started I experienced some major life changes such as moving to a new state with no friends or family there & became a stay at home mom. I was proud of myself that I didn't gain any of the weight back even though I hadn't lost any more. Over the past two years I've had periods of some loss & some gain but overall I have lost 41 pounds so far. I still have some pounds to go before I get to my goal weight but I am happy to be where I am now as opposed to when I was 206 pounds.

The hardest thing for me is portion control & motivation. I will do well for awhile & then I decide it's time to take a break. The next thing I know the pounds start to creep (or I should say just run & jump) back on. I am not into reality shows & have never watched The Biggest Loser during it's actual viewing season. I stumbled across it at the beginning of this summer when they began playing the re runs on the Style Network which is one of my favorite channels. The first show really inspired me & I took off running down the street...unfortunately for me however, my back has decided that my running days are long behind me..."way" back there. But I have been walking consistently as well as doing a dvd work out with hand held weights. Exercise is usually not a problem for me because I enjoy it & it's a stress release for me. My problem continues to be with food itself. I have prayed about it & even fasted about it. I know God wants to deliver me from my food addiction & He is just waiting for me to turn it all over to Him as well as be willing to discipline myself regarding my food intake & the types of food I eat on a regular basis.

I am ready to do this. I want to have a balance with food & my weight. It's been long over due & now is the time! Besides I have 3 more children on the way & I need to have the energy to keep up with all of them as well as be healthy to be around to see them grow up. If you are like me & lack in the motivation department from time to time...make yourself comfy on the couch tonight at 7pm (without food in hand) & turn your TV on NBC to watch the 2 hour season premiere of The Biggest Loser. I know they lose more weight than most of us do in a weeks time because it is a "game" as well & they are exercising a lot more than they would at home but the general principle of healthy, balanced eating plus exercise equals a good equation. If you feel guilty for sitting on your tooshy for 2 hours feel free to do some exercises or fold laundry while you watch. You can lose weight & be the healthy person that God created you to be! God's blessings on your weight loss journey & a healthier you!