My Story

My grandmother used to call me "skinny bones." In high school I drank huge milkshakes in an attempt to gain weight. People use to tease that I would blow away with the least bit of wind. I was skinny...very skinny.

The foods I recall eating as a child are limited. I remember fried chicken, spaghetti, chicken and dumplings, meatloaf, hamburgers, potatoes, pizza, cake, pie, cookies, candy, bread, crackers, cheese, and cereals. I did eat some fruits (not daily). Vegetable consisted of tomatoes and cucumbers (but not daily). I drank tea, soda, and some cola.

At age 24, I weighed 95 lbs. I drank Coke morning till night and smoked 3 packs of cigarettes a day. My diet didn't change much from childhood. And then I got married and pregnant.

During my pregnancy I stopped smoking and stopped drinking Coke. I drank Diet Coke occassionally, but I really didn't care for the taste, so I stuck to tea, juice, and water.

At 6 months, I was huge. I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I gained 75 pounds. Imagine stretching a 95 lb. body by 75 lbs. in 9 months...

It's 2007. I am 40 years old. My first child is fourteen. I am still 5'4 with a small frame, but now my frame carries 218 lbs. I have migraines, excema, asthma, and pre-diabetes. I am tired, stressed, and uncomfortable. I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired.

I've tried numerous diets with minor results. I've gone in spurts where I would eat healthy and exercise. My spurts tend to last two weeks. I've lost and gained 10 lbs. more times that I can count. I've read countless books, magazine and internet articles on health, fitness, and nutrition. I've started and quit oodles of programs. The truth is - I know what to do. It's a matter of making myself do it. This is where the blog comes in. I'm going to journal my way to health and fitness. Durning my journey, I will share all I've learned from reading and research, and apply it to my own life. I will share my results. My hope is to motivate myself and inspire others.

If you would like to join me in my journey, please make comments for a collective commentary journal. Today is the first day of my new life.

I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. - Phillipians 4:13