At the Beginning

     Starting at the beginning I am 259 lbs and have shrunk from 5'10" down to 5'8".  It has been a long road to this point and I am determined to make it a short road back.  I am a stay at home mother of 8 beautiful kids ages 13, 10, 6, twin 3's, 2, 1, and 3 months.  When I got pregnant the first time I was 180 lbs and 17 years old.  At the time I thought I was huge and felt uncomfortable in my body.  Now I would be thrilled to be that size again!  How sad it is that as a youth we have such distorted images of ourselves.  Now at 259 lbs I have no clothes that fit and where an oversized hoodie any time I leave the house in an effort to hide my girth.  So today I am challenging myself to get this insanity under control.  I want to be able to keep up with my children and my crazy life. 

The Goal

 

Long Term:  Lose 100 lbs

      Reward:  Trip to Las Vegas

 

Short Term:  Exercise 5 times a week for 6 Months

     Reward:   Shopping and Salon trip to Denver

 

     Most experts recommend not weighing in to often to keep from being discouraged.  I will be doing this a little more than normal for several reasons.  The first being that I want to remind myself and be aware of both my failures and successes.  There is no easier way to see exactly what that extra enchilada did to your figure than by seeing your weight climb up the scale two days later.  The second reason for weighing often is to encourage myself to get my butt up and move!  I'm committing to weighing in every three days and posting it here.  I will also be taking measurements for the first time ever because I've heard that it is more encouraging than waiting for the scale to move.  Measurements will come every Tuesday.

 

     The only other hard thing to address is food.  Food Glorious Food!  This is where I struggle the most.  I love to cook, I love carbs, and I love red meat.  I have followed many "diet" plans in the past (mostly in my early 20's) and have realized that dieting does not work.  I am a firm believer that the only problem with most people's food intake is portions.  So for the most part I will be counting calories and trying to be more aware of the amount of food I take in.  I have been very tempted to try doing something like nutrisystem but could never justify the money it would take or admitting that I am not responsible enough to cook healthy or count calories on my own.  I think with the coming spring and garden I will try making some of my own proportioned meals.  I will be sure to share any recipes I find. 

 

     So now to begin

March 04, 2014                     

 

     Weight:      259 lbs

     Stomach Measurement:     46.5 inches

     Hip Measurement:     51.5 inches

     Upper Arm:     16.25 inches

     Bust:     47 inches

     Thigh:     33 inches

 

I've already finished my exercise for today by playing just dance with my little ones.  I think I will try and do some stretching or yoga later today in an effort to feel less compacted.  (I think gravity is trying to turn me into a pancake.)