A Bit of Personal History

Most people who know me are aware that I've battled my weight since elementary school. The physical activities I enjoyed in High School and college helped me keep my weight somewhat under control for a while. In drill team, we were required to maintain a personal weight based on our height and bone structure. I'm 5' 11" and have really large bones. My weight limit was 150 lbs (which was the highest weight allowed) and it was difficult for me to stay under that weight. I starved myself on the day of our weigh-in so I could make sure and dance that week! I can't count how many times I went on that 3-day chemical break-down diet. Have you ever tried that one? You have to eat beets, raw tuna, weiners, vanilla ice cream (that part I always liked) at certain meals. The idea was that the combination of foods chemically broke down fat in your body. I did lose 7 lbs one week. Anyway, this helped to give me a bit of an unhealthy relationship with my body.


Although I starved myself down to 145 lbs and in size 8 clothes, I was not happy. I wanted to be thinner. When I looked in the mirror, I thought I was fat. Now, I know that for those people who wear a size 0, an eight sounds huge. But for me, that was pretty tiny. It's the smallest I've ever been and when I see pictures of myself at that time I think I looked pretty awsome! I'm not sure if my body will ever be that small again. I have, after all, carry two little boys in this belly and I'm alot older... yes, I said it. Let's be honest. Thirty-five is a far cry from seventeen!! I don't feel old, but I know it will be difficult to get the weight off.


At my heaviest I weighed 320 lbs. No, that's not a typo. After having both my boys and staying at home for several years, I just got fat! In the last couple of years, I have lost a significant amount of weight. Most of the success has been because of change in diet. I am diabetic, so I have had to make changes in my normal, every-day diet. I try to eat low-fat when it makes sense, but mostly I watch carbs. I don't eat refined sugar and the only bread I eat is whole grain and in limited quanties. That doesn't mean I sit around munching on bacon all day!! I eat alot of chicken breasts and salads. I also eat turkey, fish, and lean beef. Lately, my weight loss has come to a stand-still. I guess it's what they call a plateau. Thank the Lord, I haven't put any weight back on, but I haven't lost any more either.


Now, I'm ready to kick-start myself and get in the best shape I can!! I have an elliptical machine in my bedroom. I will start using it tomorrow!! Also, I will be eating a meal replacement shake for breakfast and lunch. I am following a plan given to me by my sister who goes to a great boot camp in Dallas. This plan is for five days or up to 21 days.





Breakfast- Meal replacement shake


AM snack- Low-glycemic fruit (like apple, grapefruit, or berries) and 10 nuts (almonds, pecans)


Lunch- Meal replacement shake


PM snack- Low-glycemic fruit and 10 nuts


Dinner- Lean cut of meat (ground turkey, bison, chicken or fish) with a low-glycemic carb (check the glycemic index)





That doesn't sound too hard, right? Feel free to join me. I could use all the support and accountability partners I can get!! I'll post more with details on how I feel, how the shakes taste, and whatever else is on my mind. Also, I'll weigh at my mom's house in the morning when I drop off my boys. I'll post my starting weight by that weigh-in. Pray for me!!