Monday, August 29, 2011
Has It Been a Month Already?
Well it has been one month today that I started my weightloss journey. I am very excited to report that I have lost 13 lbs!!! I have worked very hard and I am very proud of myself! I know this is just the beginning and I have to continue to push myself harder and harder to keep getting good results. Although I hate Mondays, today is going to be a great day!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Lifestyle Changes
We all have heard a trillion + times that the keys to weightloss are dieting and exercise. Anyone that wants to lose a lot of weight and keep it off have to incorporate these things into their lifestyle. Well we know that changing our lifestyle can be very difficult. It takes a lot of determination, motivation, and faith to do it. Luckily I have all three and am beyond ready to make the change.
The hardest lifestyle change for me is adding exercise into my daily routine. My routine is pretty set and revolves around my baby, Cash. I am so lucky to have a great husband and one that cares a lot about his health and mine. He has helped me find time. He works long hours then comes home and immediately takes care of Cash so I can get my exercise in. If it wasn't for him, this weightloss journey would not be happening.
John (my husband), is a strength and conditioning coach at Ole Miss. He knows a lot about working out and exercise. Not only is he my husband, but my coach through all of this as well. When I finally decided to make the changes it would take to get healthy he was so excited. He had been pushing for this for a long time and was ready to help me in any way possible. He keeps me motivated.
Since I hate exercising, we have limited time, and no money to join a gym, we decided that exercising at home was my best option. I walk every night. I went from 1 mile the first week to now walking 2 miles 4 nights a week. Three nights a week, John does a circuit training program for me. Circuits consist of several exercises that work all muscle groups, you do them one after the other to keep your heart rate up, and repeat the circuit several times with small breaks in between. On the nights that I work out with John, I walk a mile and a half.
I am in my 4th week of my new lifestyle. So far I am enjoying my evening walks. Not only is it good for my weightloss, it gives me time to clear my mind and have a little alone time. Mommys always need that. I am so glad that I am able to exercise every night and I must say and I am beginning to really enjoy it. My advice to people like me that are busy and hate to exercise is this, make time even if it's 15 min, do it consistently and you will find yourself enjoying it.
The hardest lifestyle change for me is adding exercise into my daily routine. My routine is pretty set and revolves around my baby, Cash. I am so lucky to have a great husband and one that cares a lot about his health and mine. He has helped me find time. He works long hours then comes home and immediately takes care of Cash so I can get my exercise in. If it wasn't for him, this weightloss journey would not be happening.
John (my husband), is a strength and conditioning coach at Ole Miss. He knows a lot about working out and exercise. Not only is he my husband, but my coach through all of this as well. When I finally decided to make the changes it would take to get healthy he was so excited. He had been pushing for this for a long time and was ready to help me in any way possible. He keeps me motivated.
Since I hate exercising, we have limited time, and no money to join a gym, we decided that exercising at home was my best option. I walk every night. I went from 1 mile the first week to now walking 2 miles 4 nights a week. Three nights a week, John does a circuit training program for me. Circuits consist of several exercises that work all muscle groups, you do them one after the other to keep your heart rate up, and repeat the circuit several times with small breaks in between. On the nights that I work out with John, I walk a mile and a half.
I am in my 4th week of my new lifestyle. So far I am enjoying my evening walks. Not only is it good for my weightloss, it gives me time to clear my mind and have a little alone time. Mommys always need that. I am so glad that I am able to exercise every night and I must say and I am beginning to really enjoy it. My advice to people like me that are busy and hate to exercise is this, make time even if it's 15 min, do it consistently and you will find yourself enjoying it.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Weight Struggles
It has been exactly 2 weeks today since I have started this journey. I have to admit this is not the first time that I have taken this journey. I have been down this road several times but for different reasons. This time I am going to make sure I never travel down this road again!
For as long as I can remeber I have struggled with my weight. I was always the chubby kid. I always envied my younger siblings because they have always been underweight. They can eat whatever they want and never gain a pound. If I even look at it I would gain 10! So not fair! The key is that they rarely over eat. I on the other hand will eat till I am literally sick! I can not stop! I use to have no self control even as a child.
I was always over weight growing up until I reached puberity. Then magically I slimmed up. Now looking back, I can say I was skinny. Then, I could never see it. Isn't it funny how that works! From junior high to high school I was average weight or slightly below average. I was very active and participated in basketball and cheerleading. It was ok to eat anything I wanted because I burned a lot of calories. This quickly changed though!
Once in college my lifestyle completely changed. I wasn't cheering or playing basketball but eating the same and maybe even worse. I quickly gained the freshmen 20. This actually wasn't a big deal. I went from weighing 115 lbs in HS to 135 lbs in college. This weight is pretty close to my ideal body weight for my height of 5'6. I stayed aroung this weight until my junior year of college. This year in college I started dating my now husband. He was an offensive lineman (center to be exact) for the Delta State football team. He would eat a lot which meant that I began to eat A LOT! After dating for one year, I had put on 50 lbs! That's right, when I graduated college I weighed 186 lbs!!!!!
After college I decided to go back to school to become a Cardiac Sonographer. I had to move by myself to Mobile, AL to go to school for this. The program was for one year. During this year of living on my own I managed to live off of lean cuisenes and soup with an occasional meal with friends. My mom would come down usually once a month and we would of course eat good that weekend :) During this year in Mobile, I managed to lose 45 lbs. Once I moved back home I weighed 141 lbs.
I started my career, moved to Memphis with John, got engaged, bought a house, and got married all within 9 months. We began eating out a lot. I also get 2-4 free catered meals a week at work. It wasn't long until the weight began to creep back up! I managed to keep my weight around 170 - 175 lbs. After being married for a year and a half we found we were expecting! At my first doctors appointment I weighed 183 lbs! I gained 29 lbs with my pregnancy, weighing 212 lbs when I gave birth to Cash.
I have been up and down for going on 5 years now. Now I am starting to learn and realize that I have to change my whole lifestyle and the way I have always looked at food. It takes dedication and determintation. I know I can do it! I am going to lose the weight and KEEP IT OFF!
For as long as I can remeber I have struggled with my weight. I was always the chubby kid. I always envied my younger siblings because they have always been underweight. They can eat whatever they want and never gain a pound. If I even look at it I would gain 10! So not fair! The key is that they rarely over eat. I on the other hand will eat till I am literally sick! I can not stop! I use to have no self control even as a child.
I was always over weight growing up until I reached puberity. Then magically I slimmed up. Now looking back, I can say I was skinny. Then, I could never see it. Isn't it funny how that works! From junior high to high school I was average weight or slightly below average. I was very active and participated in basketball and cheerleading. It was ok to eat anything I wanted because I burned a lot of calories. This quickly changed though!
Once in college my lifestyle completely changed. I wasn't cheering or playing basketball but eating the same and maybe even worse. I quickly gained the freshmen 20. This actually wasn't a big deal. I went from weighing 115 lbs in HS to 135 lbs in college. This weight is pretty close to my ideal body weight for my height of 5'6. I stayed aroung this weight until my junior year of college. This year in college I started dating my now husband. He was an offensive lineman (center to be exact) for the Delta State football team. He would eat a lot which meant that I began to eat A LOT! After dating for one year, I had put on 50 lbs! That's right, when I graduated college I weighed 186 lbs!!!!!
After college I decided to go back to school to become a Cardiac Sonographer. I had to move by myself to Mobile, AL to go to school for this. The program was for one year. During this year of living on my own I managed to live off of lean cuisenes and soup with an occasional meal with friends. My mom would come down usually once a month and we would of course eat good that weekend :) During this year in Mobile, I managed to lose 45 lbs. Once I moved back home I weighed 141 lbs.
I started my career, moved to Memphis with John, got engaged, bought a house, and got married all within 9 months. We began eating out a lot. I also get 2-4 free catered meals a week at work. It wasn't long until the weight began to creep back up! I managed to keep my weight around 170 - 175 lbs. After being married for a year and a half we found we were expecting! At my first doctors appointment I weighed 183 lbs! I gained 29 lbs with my pregnancy, weighing 212 lbs when I gave birth to Cash.
I have been up and down for going on 5 years now. Now I am starting to learn and realize that I have to change my whole lifestyle and the way I have always looked at food. It takes dedication and determintation. I know I can do it! I am going to lose the weight and KEEP IT OFF!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Family History
I mentioned in my last post that one of my main reasons for losing the weight is to prevent the onset of diabetes. In this post, I want to give a little for info as to why this is so important for me. Studies have shown that women diagnosed with gestational diabetes usually get type 2 diabetes within 10 years. I of course had this but 2 other major risks factors I face are obesity and family history.
We all know that being overweight or obese leads to serious health issues such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, etc. Many people don't realize, however, how big of a role that family history plays in these dieases as well. I work for a Cardiologist and I would say that 8 out 10 people with serious heart issues have a family history. So with that said, let me tell you a little about my family history.
My dad has type 2 diabetes which in the last year has become insulin dependent. He also has hypertension and high cholesterol. My mom has tachycardia (fast heart rate) and also hypertension. My 21 year old brother has type 1 diabetes and has been insulin dependent from a young age. He also is now hypertensive. My paternal grandfather has type 2 diabetes non-insulin dependent. He has coronary artery disease and has had bypass surgery. He is also hypertensive. My maternal grandmother had type 2 diabetes that was insulin dependent. Are you seeing a trend here?
When I got diagnosed with gestational diabetes the Dr. said with my family history there was no way around it. Now it is pretty obvious why. So I have obesity and a strong family history risking the threat of getting type 2 diabetes at a young age. One of those I can change. I am going to fight so hard to lose the weight and fight getting this diease!
We all know that being overweight or obese leads to serious health issues such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, etc. Many people don't realize, however, how big of a role that family history plays in these dieases as well. I work for a Cardiologist and I would say that 8 out 10 people with serious heart issues have a family history. So with that said, let me tell you a little about my family history.
My dad has type 2 diabetes which in the last year has become insulin dependent. He also has hypertension and high cholesterol. My mom has tachycardia (fast heart rate) and also hypertension. My 21 year old brother has type 1 diabetes and has been insulin dependent from a young age. He also is now hypertensive. My paternal grandfather has type 2 diabetes non-insulin dependent. He has coronary artery disease and has had bypass surgery. He is also hypertensive. My maternal grandmother had type 2 diabetes that was insulin dependent. Are you seeing a trend here?
When I got diagnosed with gestational diabetes the Dr. said with my family history there was no way around it. Now it is pretty obvious why. So I have obesity and a strong family history risking the threat of getting type 2 diabetes at a young age. One of those I can change. I am going to fight so hard to lose the weight and fight getting this diease!
Monday, August 1, 2011
The Journey starts TODAY!
I have decided to devote myself to living a healthy lifestyle. I recently had a baby and while I was pregnant I had gestational diabetes. I was pretty much put on a low carb diet and couldn't eat sweets. This almost killed me! The doctor told me that once I had my baby I would HAVE TO GET SKINNY or else get type 2 diabetes before the age of 30. I always knew I would get type 2 diabetes because this disease has affected almost my whole family. Howevere, I did not think that I would have it before or even close to the age of 30. My baby is 8 months old now and well I haven't even began to get skinny. I have managed to do quite the opposite in fact. I have binged on sweets and managed to gain 11 lbs since the birth of my son.
I always make excuses as to why I can't exercise or eat better. The bottom line is that I just don't want to do it! I have always struggled with my weight because of this. Recently, a really good friend of mine has changed her lifestyle and lost a lot of weight. She is my motivation. She recently posted a quote that said something like" Some ppl live to eat, but I eat to live." (not exact but u get the idea) This really hung over my head because I realized that I was one the lives to eat. I am going to change that.
I start this new lifestyle today. I know that it is not going to be easy at first but I can do it. I just have to remeber the ultimate goal. Today I weigh 197 lbs. I will post weekly and weigh monthly as I begin this journey to a new me!
I always make excuses as to why I can't exercise or eat better. The bottom line is that I just don't want to do it! I have always struggled with my weight because of this. Recently, a really good friend of mine has changed her lifestyle and lost a lot of weight. She is my motivation. She recently posted a quote that said something like" Some ppl live to eat, but I eat to live." (not exact but u get the idea) This really hung over my head because I realized that I was one the lives to eat. I am going to change that.
I start this new lifestyle today. I know that it is not going to be easy at first but I can do it. I just have to remeber the ultimate goal. Today I weigh 197 lbs. I will post weekly and weigh monthly as I begin this journey to a new me!
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