Nope I am not an alcoholic, but sometimes I feel like food has been an addiction for years of my life. I can't remember a time in my life where food was just food to me. It has been something that provided comfort when I was upset, entertained me when bored, was the center of a social gathering or a way to celebrate an accomplishment. I have become very aware of all the roles food plays in my life. I have also learned a lot about exercise and the role it must play in my life to have overall health. I don't claim to have this thing all figured out, but I want to share my journey.
I have been overweight for the majority of my 36 years. I can remember as far back as elementary school being weighed and the horrible feeling of being the kid over 100 pounds. I was on Weight Watchers in high school and did crash diets to lose weight. My weight has been a struggle for a long time.
Three years ago my company started a program called Biggest Loser. It was exactly what I needed to get me headed in the right direction. I had lost some weight from my heaviest of 298, but I was headed back in the wrong direction. With the help of some amazing friends, family and trainers I started down a new path in September 2009. It has not always been easy, I have not kept every pound off, but something has definitely changed.
In the winter of 2010 I completed the second year of Biggest Loser with a second place finish. I was down to 178 pounds. This was a 120 pound loss from a little less than three years prior. I had also completed a half marathon and was preparing for my second one. I had exercised at least 4-5 days a week for over a year. Things were great!
In the summer of 2011 we had a major life change. I took a new position with my company and moved my family to Virginia. I had already put back on some weight while preparing for the move, but I was determined to not let the move affect my new lifestyle. This was successful for a while, but all the changes, trying to set up a new routine, stress of living a new place won. I stopped working out and started to gain weight. However, there was still this voice in my head reminding me of what I should be doing. That voice was something new, and I felt it would not go away until I did something about it.
Unfortunately, that day did not come soon enough. I got up to 215 before I could not stand to buy another size larger clothes. I went through my closet and made a stack of all the clothes there were now too small. It was a huge stack and a gigantic motivator.
In April of this year I decided to turn things around. I was determined to fit a workout into my day, whether it was at lunchtime, after work or before my day started. I have been back on the right path for roughly five months. There have definitely been some speed bumps and detours. Those things are going to be there, but I have learned the hard way that you must allow yourself to mess up and just return right to where you veered off.
I hope to share my challenges, successes, tips and stories about my journey. May they bring you joy, strength and some encouragement in whatever you struggle to achieve.
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