Out with the old... In with the new

In 30 years I have gone from big... to bigger... to biggest. I've always known that I was a "big" girl. And I've always known the complications obesity can cause. It wasn't a lack of knowledge that got me to such a large weight. It was a lack of motivation... a lack of self appreciation and most importantly the fear of failure. Fear that if I lose the weight... I'll gain it right back. Fear that if I exercise... I wont lose weight. Fear that if I eat healthier food... I'll gain more weight. 

Well... it's time to stop being afraid! It's time to appreciate the person that I currently am. And most importantly... its time to kick my ass into a healthier me. 

My starting weight is... <dramatic drum roll please>

269!!!!

My real journey began months ago... I would watch the Biggest Loser and think to myself, "Look at all they've accomplished! I bet I could do that!" And then I would continue eating my ice cream, pizza, etc. I didn't like the way I felt. I was tired all the time... I'd fall asleep almost immediately after getting  home from work. It was normal for me to be asleep by 9pm. My body was just drained... all the time. I relied on energy drinks to push me through the day. The more I drank... the more I needed them. If I didnt have an energy drink... I'd be cranky and miserable. My run down body just wasnt cutting it anymore... I needed a change!

I decided to look at what my body was missing. Being a vegetarian is no easy feat... and is oft times criticized as not being healthy. My choice to be a vegetarian is non negotiable. I needed to find out what my body was missing due to a lack of meat and supplement it. I started taking vitamins, iron and a Super B Complex supplement. It was amazing! I had a little more energy... I wasnt feeling as run down as before. 

But still... something was missing. Something was still wrong. I was winded after walking swiftly for short distances or after bringing groceries up to the apartment. I knew this was not good, not healthy. How on earth could I change it? I decided I needed to lose weight. But how? Left to my own devices I would surely fail. I could make up a million excuses as to why its ok to have this pizza right now. I needed guidance... support... a program. Literally (and I do mean literally) on a whim Kadin and I took a detour to the grocery store and stopped  by a weight management program. I spoke with a super nice lady... who measured my BMI, fat percentage, weight, etc. All signs point to obesity... morbidly obese... MOBY as my father says. We looked at the programs... talked about what issues I thought I was going to have. I was all for it! Sign me up! Until I saw the prices... OUCH! At a 50% discount... it was still over $600 (payable before services are rendered!). Suffice it to say... I was not able to go with that decision.

That setback didnt stop me... especially after I saw the pictures and videos Kadin surreptitiously took of me while in the office speaking to the super nice lady. I wanted to cry... "Did I really have THAT MUCH back fat? Is that really truly how I look?  How did I let myself go????" It became evident then that I needed to do something. 


My opportunity came during Christmas. Frank bought the boys a Wii for Christmas. He bought me a Wii Fit and a balance board. Just what I wanted. (Really... not trying to be sarcastic! LOL) Three weeks ago I stepped on it for the first time. I was 269 lbs. Morbidly obese... BMI 42. Last week I weighed myself... I lost 10 lbs. 10 lbs! Me! Lost 10lbs! This is awesome! I was so excited that I told the girls at work... 


We decided to have a Biggest Loser type competition. Two of us are very competitive. And it works...  I need that competitive support to get my rear in gear. Our competition officially began yesterday, January 17th, 2011. My starting weight for this competition is 258 lbs. 


Ive started keeping an eye on my calories so I can have a rough estimate of where I am. Ive been exercising for at least 30 minutes a day. Ive increased my water intake drastically... I can hit about 2 liters a day... but Im aiming for 3. Im trying to reduce my soda, energy drink and cheese intake. (I just need to add that cheese is Heaven!)


So far whatever I have been doing is working... unofficially for competition purposes... I've lost another 5 lbs. Im down to 253. Again... its only unofficially as anything could happen by Sunday night. 


My goal: Short term: I would like to lose 20lbs in the next two months (the length of this competition).
  Long term: By this time next year I would like to be 180 lbs and steady. 

Tip: Instead of parking close to the grocery store's entrance, park further away. A few extra steps means you're burning a few extra calories!


This year... its definitely out with the old me and in with the new!



Sara Jane