It Started....

My entire life I have always been on the fluffy side.  However, a couple of years ago over stressed, over worked, over weight, and unhappy I decided some things had to change.  I didn't like to look in the mirror.  It was almost impossible to buy clothes.  I couldn't even walk to the mail box without getting winded.  I decided something had to change.

When you reach a point where you realize that you are either going to lose your life or lose the weight, you begin to make changes.  I didn't want to feel like that anymore.  In High School, I was in show choir dancing and singing everyday.  I was a little overweight, but I felt pretty great.  After college, I started working all the time and taking care of myself took a back seat.  I would skip breakfast and go most of the day without food.  Then by 5 or 6pm I would be starving and anything would do.  Here is the thing you aren't thinking about when you do that.  By starving your body all day you put your body into a panic so that when you do eat, your body stores every single calorie because it doesn't know when you will feed it again.  Do you know what stored calories are?  FAT!  My frame was heavy with stored calories, and I became exhausted trying to carry them around with me. 

Almost over night, I made the change.  I gave up soda pop.  (Which to be honest I don't really miss.)  I cut my portions.  I decreased the amount of sugar and bread I consumed.  I started measuring portions out.  And very quickly 40 pounds felt like it just dropped off.  Wow!  I could do this!  I couldn't believe it was that easy.  Well, the beginning is always easy but the next 40 pounds took a lot of work. 

I am still quite a ways from my goal, but I can't tell you how much fun taking care of your body can be.  One direct result of my weight loss, was JOY!  I couldn't believe how much happier I have been.  I all the sudden realized that eating the wrong food really can effect your mood.  I just feel happier, better when I am putting the right fuel into my body.  And so will you. 

I am going to share some of my failures and successes.  I am going to tell you which workouts worked for me and which ones didn't.  I will share recipes I have used along the way.  I will share some of the websites that have helped me.  I don't know about you, but I am on my way to hitting my goal weight and with a little determination, a little prayer, and God's help.  I am going to conquer the battle of the bulge!  I hope you will take this journey with me and together we will find Joy as an overcomer.