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My Life Style Change StoryFeb 23 '07 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line That's my life-change story. If you have one, I'd love to hear it! To your health!
"Originally posted to my blog on my Myspace page in November of 2006. Updates added." On October 10, 2005, I decided to change my life. At the time I weighed over 200 lbs. I was obese and my health was going in a bad direction. With my present state and my family history, I knew that "I" was the only person who could do anything to reverse and stop the damage that I was doing or had done. I have tried just about everything and failed. I needed to find something that I could do for the long haul, for life. Slow progressive weight loss and then eventually (SOME DAY!!!) maintenance. I typed the words "healthy eating" in the Google search bar and got thousands of results. Within the first 10 I found the USDA Food Pyramid. You know, that thing they taught us in elementary school to teach us, as Americans how to eat healthy? I did some reading and discovered that not only is it practical and relatively easy to follow, but it basically gives you unlimited food choices. There's no denying it, I LOVE TO EAT. I love food. I grew up in a family where we didn't skimp on ANYTHING. So I always got my fill and then some. And eventually I was a seasoned "overeater". My mom is an excellent cook and now with the Food Network at my finger tips, I've learned how to make some pretty tasty dishes myself. However, I never grasped the concept of self-control. Even when I used to diet, I felt deprived EVERY SINGLE TIME. Without fail. So I crashed and burned and maybe lost some weight or even a lot, but hence, gained it all back in time. 2 1/2 years ago I had my son. I had actually lost weight during my pregnancy and continued to lose because I was nursing him. I got down to about 170 at my 5' frame and then I stopped nursing him and gained it all back. I watched my clothing sizes sky-rocket from 14 - 16 - 18 and then eventually 20. I could have opened a plus size boutique with all the clothes I had. At the end of September of 2005, my grandmother had become very ill and was put on Hospice care. That is when it occurred to me that my family history was very dismal and I was going to follow in their footsteps and perhaps even pass this horrible preventable fate to my own child. Enough was simply enough. I was tired, I was sluggish, I hated the way I looked. My husband who has ALWAYS been my rock no matter what, deserved a mate who he could spend his golden years with. My sons deserved a mom and step-mom that was around for the long haul. So, I swallowed my pride admitted I had a problem and dealt with it. I didn't do it with pills, surgery, fad diets or starvation. I did it the right way, the only way. Sensible eating, portion control and exercise. I follow the USDA Food Pyramid, journal my food, stay within my caloric range for my healthy weight and suffer a deficit in caloric intake and output (EXERCISE) in order to lose 1/2 lb to a pound a week. I have been doing this for 17 months and have lost 77 lbs to date and have another 2 to go until I reach my goal. I am also currently a size 3/4 petite. That's 9 sizes down. I strength train and do cardio. It's a fat killing combo! I LOVE MY ELLIPTICAL AND total gym!!!! Treadmill and recumbent are great too, but the other two have sculpted my body something fierce! What's in store for me after my goal? Maintenance. That will be new for me, but I know I can handle anything now. A large part of my success is due to my support system. My husband, friends, family, co-workers, online community of wonderful women (3fatchicks.com), my doctor has been very supportive and is very impressed and pleased with my progress and last but CERTAINLY not least, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God has been my personal trainer and coach throughout this whole process and I would be NOTHING without Him. Prayer is a powerful thing. What do I eat? Basically anything I want. I choose not to consume certain things. My eating has evolved into what it is today. I try to avoid preservatives, artificial ingredients, trans fats, partially or fully hydrogenated anything and last but not least HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP!!! HORRIBLE STUFF PEOPLE!! AVOID. I don't drink soda. I gave that up almost a year ago also. It's just not worth it. It's full of horrible stuff and it's nutritionally bankrupt! I started out eating between 1200 and 1500 calories a day, now I am eating between 1300 and 1650. I am gradually increasing my calories until I reach maintenance. I will be eating over 2000 a day to maintain my goal weight of 125 lbs. I eat to nourish and feed and fuel my body. I drink lots of water. Eat lots of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, low fat dairy, lean protein, foods low in saturated fats. The healthier the better. I look at my calories, carbs, fats, and sodium as dietary equity. Do I still eat fattening desserts? Sure, rarely, but sure. I eat a couple of bites, after I've eaten a meal and nourished my body, I will indulge in a taste of something rich and sweet to satisfy those senses. It does nothing for me nutritionally, so I don't need a full piece or 5, like I used to do. Just a taste. I usually cut standard pieces into quarters or smaller. It's plenty. Do I eat fried foods? Rarely, but yes. I try to avoid excess saturated fats. But I do enjoy french fries and my mom's fried pork chops. I usually remove the breading on those and as for the fries, I eat 1/4 of a small serving. Some people might think I waste food in restaurants. The truth is I eat a smaller portion and usually carryout the extras. I make about 4 meals out of a standard restaurant meal. It's insane how much food they give you. Really. Portions are out of control. We need to be smarter and wiser and healthier for our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren if we can keep our eating healthy enough to live to see them. Our country is eating itself to death. Only we can change that. Only we can stop buying foods with horrible ingredients and start buying healthier foods. Sure they're more expensive, but that would change if we'd stop buying the other stuff. As Zonya Foco, a registered dietitian and a personal hero of mine, always says, "Vote with your dollar!" She's right. We are the problem, we need to solve it. Healthy feels better. Looks better and lasts longer. Since my life changing transformation, I have decided to go back to school to become a registered dietician. I also want to be a certified personal trainer. I want to help others who have struggled with obesity, like I did.  |
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