Why?

Why?
In last Wednesdays meeting we were asked to write on a index card why we are trying to lose weight. This was hard for me as there are so many reasons why. Some are meaningful and some are more superficial. I would like to list my "Why?" here:
1) To be here and be healthy and energetic for my 2 year old daughter
2) To feel better about myself
3) To look and feel better for my Husband (even though he loves me just the way I am)
4) To not be so tired all the time
5) To look better in clothes
6) To be able to wear a 2 piece bikini at the beach or pool without a cover up
7) To get a brand new wardrobe, which my husband will buy for me once I hit my goal size 10!!

These are the main reasons I can think of right now. The main reason I am changing my lifestyle in hopes of loosing weight is to be happier, healthier and live a longer life for myself and my family.This Wednesday is my 2nd weigh in and I am sure that I have lost something. I have done really well with staying on track with my eating. I did Zumba last week which pushed me so much harder than I would have ever pushed myself. I can't wait to go back this Thursday.I am eating so much less then I used to and am surprised that I am never feeling hungry.I can do this! As Dori would say, "Just keep swimming.... Just keep swimming..."

Thank you to all who are supporting me.

Love,Andrea

Staying Motivated......

So I am over halfway done with my first week of this new change in lifestyle.
I know it has only been four days, but I have been really good at staying on track so far.
I have started to make better choices as to what foods I put in my body and how much.
I am on a new path to a new healthier lifestyle and it has given me hope for my future.

For those who are curious. I am doing a program called East County’s Biggest Loser. My initial start weight is 204. My ultimate goal weight is 165. Every Wednesday night myself and 35 other “losers” will weigh in. This is a 12 week program. At the end of 12 weeks, the top three people who lost the most percentage of weight will win money! Each week a nutrition coach will teach us and provide us with great information on how we can reach our goals.

I had an official Body Scan on Saturday with my nutrition coach and was shocked to find that I have 36% body fat!! I am in the “highly obese” range. This was a big surprise because when I think of people who are highly obese, I think of those on the biggest loser who have hundreds of pounds to lose. She showed me how my choices over the last 8 years of my life have led me to this point. I want to be here and be healthy for my daughter as she grows and I am so happy to have had this realization now, while I am still young enough to do something about it.

I cannot see myself failing at this. I am doing well with monitoring my food intake and have no desire to “cheat”. My husband and I went for a great bike ride around Lake Murray yesterday and it really showed me how bad of shape I am in.

Looking forward to feeling better and healthier and hopefully looking better will go along with that too. Thank you for all of your support.

My next weigh in is on Wednesday night. I will keep you updated with how it goes.


Love,
Andrea

Tomorrow night is the start of the rest of my life!

When I look back at who I was 6 years ago, I see a beautiful, confident young woman who had so many opportunities. Over the last 6 years, I have gotten too comfortable in my bad eating habits and lack of exercise. I have become lazy and have not taken care of myself the way I should. I have let it effect my relationship with my husband and with myself. Sometimes I feel like such an old lady. The extra 40 pounds that I have packed on have left me tired and have made it more difficult to enjoy my 2 year old daughter. I want to be healthy for my family and if I continue my bad habits into the future. I will only continue to be more unhappy and not be able enjoy the life I have been so very blessed to have.

My biggest problem is motivation and self control, I have tried so many different “diets” throughout the years, only to last a week and then go back to my old unhealthy ways. I just love food way too much.

Tomorrow night is my first weigh in with a group that I am joining called East County’s Greatest Loser Weight Loss Challenge. Myself and a group of about 30 other people all with similar goals meet once a week with a husband and wife team of doctors who each week give us a lesson in nutrition. This 12 week program is also a competition. Being that I am a very competitive person and also have to answer to 30 strangers who are there to support me in my goals, I think this might be what I need to stay on track and be motivated. I realize that I have to make a change in lifestyle in order to keep it off for the long run, but I have never been more focused on this goal.

I plan on keeping all of my friends updated here on facebook by this blog as an additional motivation for me. If I have to answer to all of you too, I think the judgement of me failing might also help me to stay on track. We will see how it goes!

This is what I aspire to see when I look in the mirror.......