Gaining weight is like a Merri-go-round, but it’s time to get off of that ride! |
My whole life I always fluctuated with my weight. Sometimes, I was a bit too skinny or a bit too chunky - I never really maintained a specific weight. I always had my own remedies to loose weight as well, such as skipping meals or eating too small of portions that still made me hungry where I felt like I was starving myself. I was also always athletic one way or another. I played a few sports like Volleyball and Softball, or even Rollerbladed all the time. When I did that, I would go and eat a huge cheese burger with an extra large fry and a super-sized coke after. I thought that since I was atleast being somewhat active, the calories would balance eachother out. NOPE! It doesn’t work that way!
These last few years I didn’t pick up a single Volleyball, swing a baseball bat or even attempt to put on a Rollerblade. I found myself gaining and gaining weight, but yet I STILL did nothing about it. I might have been afraid to embrace reality of me being the largest I have ever been in my life or I might have been too occupied to even notice that I have been putting on weight. Whatever the case may have been, I am just soooooooo relieved that something is being done now. I did attempt to go to the gym on my own a few times, but I tell you…it was very hard for me to cope that I couldn’t last THREE minutes on the eliptical machine. THREE MINUTES!!! That’s how long it took me to eat those loaded cheeseburgers, but I couldn’t even take that same time to last in a workout. So that really got me discouraged. More time went by and then I thought I was at my rock bottom.
Participating with the other girls in following the Best Life Diet has made me more aware of what I am doing with myself. I now eat three full meals a day with a couple of small snacks in between and I feel more alive than I did when I was a teenager (yes, Im not that old, but I do feel that way). I also find myself reading the sides of the boxes or packages to see the nutrition facts. I have become addicted to the gym where I CANT WAIT to go. All of us ladies try to meet three times a week to work out, but I also go on my own on the other days. I can’t say that I have ever been happier with myself than now. Loosing weight is a total challenge, but these last three weeks made me up for it.
I am sure that one day I will be in the same boat again, where I stop everything and gain the weight again, but now I could embrace the future because I have learned how to change and understand my eating habits and how to exercise where loosing weight isn’t so big of a deal - it’s just the effort I have to put forth.
The battle (is what I like to call weight-gain) will go round and round again like a merri-go-round, but atleast I will be prepared for it and stop the weight gain in it’s tracks.
If some of you out there feel hopeless or discouraged - GET OVER IT! There are ways to begin living your life again. LIVING is the key word there - don’t sit on the side-lines and watch the days go by. Take a walk around the block or sign-up for a gym (it’s the beginning of the year, there are membership sales everywhere) and get your butt there. Don’t stop at fast food places three times a day - take your time to go to the Market and pick up supplies to make yourself something wonderful. YOU be in control of your weight issues, don’t let the issues be in control of you! I know that’s the road we all are taking - take that same one with us!
January 26th, 2007 at 11:10 am
Anna Banana…
While I never had ups and downs with my weight… just UPS… i certainly can understand how you feel… You and I are quite similar in many ways and I think it’s awesome
It’s all in your head… anything worth having is worth fighting for and it doesn’t mean that once this 12 weeks are up we fail… this is just the BEGINNING of the battle to change our lifestyles, and I know that we can do it! Spring and Summer are fast approaching… get back into sports like you were before! Join a co-ed volleyball or softball team… that way you’re killing to birds with one stone: staying active and meeting new MEN! LOL.
January 26th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
Hi Anna,
Me again! Even though we talk every day at work and continue to support each other on our weight loss journey together, I just want to say that I really enjoy reading your journals because you speak from the heart. I think lots of girls (and women) can relate to the struggles and successes!
As I read your journal, I find myself nodding along because you know, I understand EXACTLY what you are saying.
I’m glad I have someone here to support me. Even though we haven’t been able to go to the gym together, the support is still there.
Keep up the good work!!
January 26th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
Kristen -
Thanks for your inspiring comments. You know that everything that I learn we go through together. YOU are doing a great job! I know that we see the donuts and the pizza and cookies that are laid out for anyone to grab and we both just tell eachother NO! I am proud of you and I know there are more people that feel the same way. You are dedicating yourself to the gym every morning and I couldn’t even keep up with you on the eliptical for 8 minutes! - you last like 45 minutes. Im glad that I could lean on you for support at work and vice versa - cause we both know that there are always temptations laying around!
Love Anna
January 29th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Hey hun,
I just wanted to let you know that I bought the book yesterday. So, I’m going to start reading it and start back up on my “real” diet. Apposed to my so-so diet. I’m eating somewhat healthy … and somewhat meaning during the week and not the weekend … I was a bad girl this weekend but, I’m back on my week diet. Anyways, catch you later hun.
Nicole
January 29th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Nicole!
That is sooooooooooo great! Im glad you bought the book! You know, I didn’t just recommend the Best Life Diet book to you because I have to (cause I really don’t), but I did because it is working for all of us ladies on here. Bob Greene and his contributors do know what they are talking about when it comes to loosing weight and eating healthy. You see me around work and I actually have a smile on my face (most of the time) not just because I am in a good mood (cause that rarely happens at work) but its because I feel great. Now you can join the “health train” as I like to call it at work. I am here to support you and so is Kristen, but you just have to work-out then you are well on your way! Congrats!
-Anna
January 31st, 2007 at 1:10 pm
Okay … so being here at work till 8-9pm kind of stinks … Im not used to this schedule yet at all!! I go home and all I want to do is eat my dinner and try to stay up instead of going straight to bed. But, last night I layed in my bed and started reading and ended up dozing off!! You can always tell when you’re too tired your body isnt healthy enough to keep up. Grr. … But, I’m getting excited bc my co-ed vball is starting back up in a couple of weeks and I think i’m going to take the task of putting one more night into vball to start me out while its COLD out … So, for sure I will be playing wed and sundays for sure. I’m trying … its harder for me to start with changing my work schedule bc I was so used to my “ways”. But, listening to you does give me the strength to know I can work on it.
Thanks hun!!
Nicole
January 31st, 2007 at 11:43 pm
Nicole…I know how hard you work while you are at work (well I know how hard you make it to look like you are working - hahaha) cause I do see you there and come bother you. Do not get discouraged. I think it is wonderful that you are willing to do something about your health. That’s step one. You have lost weight from when you first started working with us so you must be doing something right! You could find a few mintues in the day to do some sort of exercise. Run up and down the stairs…yes, the same stairs I take the elevator for. Take a walk around the buildings…call me, you know I am always looking for a breathe of fresh air. Don’t sit at your desk all day. I checked out your fridge while you weren’t there just to see if you had any junk in it, and you didn’t - so congrats on that. AND while you are reading my reply, tell Susan to look over your shoulder and let her see that I am gonna get on her butt as well to get on our “health train”
Keep up the good work!
xoxo Anna
April 14th, 2007 at 3:56 pm
Im staying here for the night she smiled
p.s fbxrdlzome
p.p.s edyg8r7fh987erhfs8v
May 9th, 2007 at 9:47 am
Thanks Anna for sharing your journey - it’s really helpful to hear.