 |
| July 2010 |
I have always been one of the "bigger" girls for almost as long as I can remember. I developed early and didn't eat my vegetables. Sorry Mom and Dad. I was not really what you would consider fat, until high school, and even then I was only wearing a size large in shirts.
It wasn't until I moved out on my own and with that came the freedom of eating anything I wanted. Whenever I wanted to and how much I wanted to. Which would sometimes include an entire package of cookies. That, coupled with a lack of exercise of any kind lead to weight gain slowly over time. I always thought I had a pretty face and I was awesome and funny that it did not matter what size I was. People still loved me.
I was about 250 pounds when I got pregnant with my son in 2007. I figured that I was not that big if I could still get pregnant. After I gave birth, was breastfeeding, and went back to work full time I got down to 225 lbs. I was so proud of myself.
 |
| Me and James in Vegas 2011 |
In November 2008 I left my now ex-husband, and moved to Utah with my son. With the stress of the breakdown of my marriage, becoming a single mom, and starting over in a new state, caused me to start turning to food for comfort. I would stay at home, watch television, play with my son, and eat.
I met the love of my life and things slowly started to change. He always encouraged me to try new things and to eat better because he loved me. Then my Father was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. I knew I had to change if i did not want to end up with the same fate as my father.
 |
| June 2012 |
In March of 2011, I asked my Dad for a Weight Watchers membership for my birthday. My Dad even joined me for the first 10 weeks. After that I continued on my own going to meetings every week. Thing were changing! It was amazing! I was down 20 pounds, at 267 right before going to Vegas. In September of 2011, right after vacationing in Las Vegas. I was fired from my job. That became a very trying time. I was depressed and started not following the plan and missing meetings because I knew I had gained and felt horrible for it.
By the end of 2011, I had gained back the 20 pounds I lost. Then it clicked, just because I lost my job, was no reason to put my health in jeopardy. I recommitted and starting to attend my weekly meetings and following the plan. Only I can control my weight, and I was determined to do so. I even used my tax return and pre-paid for a Gold's Gym membership. I started working out regularly and losing weight.
A few months into 2012, still be unemployed, I had to give up my weight watchers membership. Since I was no longer following the plan, I also stopped working out, even though I had already paid for my membership. Then I found My Fitness Pal! It was similar to the Weight Watchers app I had on my android phone, only tracking calories, not points. I felt good about myself again and started working out. Usually at home, but I am starting to go back to they gym as well. I started this blog to keep myself accountable, even if it is just to myself. I will be sharing my tips, successes, frustrations, and everything in between on the journey to a healthier me.
 |
| Go Bruins! |
College...
In Fall of 2012, with unemployment still happening, I made the decision to attend Salt Lake Community College. It was an incredible opportunity, but college was hard I slowly stopped working out or worrying about what I was eating. I just ate when I was hungry and that did not end up being the healthiest choices on the planet. My weight loss stalled and I was constantly losing and gaining the same five pounds. Spring semester I took a cardio fitness course and that helped me focus on getting to the gym. I gained five pounds but lost 2% body fat. I took summer semester off of school and was able to focus on getting to the gym again, but my food choices were not the greatest. I wanted comfort food. Chili Cheese dogs, nachos, huge plates of spaghetti, chips, crackers, soda, you name it, and I ate it. In Fall of 2013 I signed up to take a Spinning class on campus. I was super nervous because I was out of shape and I was so worried about not being able to keep up with the rest of the class. I was the fat girl in Spinning. My instructor was amazing and she helped me to not focus on others, but to focus on myself getting stronger. One of the assignments for that class was to keep a food journal for 25 days. I started using myfitnesspal again religiously. Only to stop using it as soon as I found out I had tracked for 25 days. Still I could feel my body changing.
 |
| Climbing Rocks at Fitness Ridge |
In October of this year I was watching Studio 5 on KSL. They were talking all about body love and they were running a contest. The grand prize was a week stay at the Biggest Loser Resort, Fitness Ridge, in Irvins, Utah. I figured what the hell, I can't win if I don't enter. However, I could win if I do enter. Towards the end of November I received an email stating that the winner turned it down, and I was the alternate. Me? The alternate?? I was shocked. The catch however was that the stay had to be booked and completed by December 29, 2013. Looking at my finals schedule the only week I could make it work was December 15-22. If I could find someone to watch my son and I would have to take him out of school for that short week. I was in luck, my Dad and his wife agreed to watch my son, and my dog, so I could go. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and it couldn't come at a better time. I needed this. It was the best week ever. I learned so much and gained the tools to finally realize I was worth it. I can make the life changes I needed.
Determination...
The week I spent at Fitness Ridge was amazing. I learned so much about myself, my capabilities, but most of all I learned that I AM WORTH IT. I deserve to do things just for me and I can be a much better person if I am taking care of myself. I learned that I can survive without diet coke, chips, or simple carbs after lunch. I learned that I was sabotaging my own efforts to be healthier. I was standing in my own way and I can make the changes to be healthier. Here is to a much healthier me, now and in the future.
Getting My AS Degree and University...
I graduated from Salt Lake Community College in the Spring of 2014. I graduated with a 3.98 GPA and was one of the seven Graduates of Excellence. Basically I graduated as Valedictorian of the Criminal Justice Program. I did well when I came back from Fitness Ridge, for a few months and then fell off the bandwagon once again. I was more focused on my studies and moving onto the University in order to pursue my Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice. I started attending Weber State University in the Fall of 2014. Go Wildcats! The transition from community college to university was harder than I had ever anticipated. I was so focused on my studies I really didn't care what I was eating and who has time to exercise. That changed after going to Las Vegas for my sister's 21st birthday celebration in March od 2015. I came home from Vegas with more than I went with. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I was unhappy with myself and it was time to really watch what I was doing. I looked back on my blog and realized that the only time I truly succeeded in weight loss was when I was with Weight Watchers. The week I got home I walked into Weight Watchers and signed up again. I am determined to make this the last time I lose some weight only to give up and gain it all back plus some. I am determined to do this for my future. I will succeed and I may tumble and fall, but as long as I don't give up that is success.