2w + 1

No, this is not an algebra problem.  You mathaholics are yelling, "THE ANSWER IS -1/2!!!"  But to me, 2w + 1 = 15...days that is!  15 days ago, I signed up for myfitnesspal at the encouragement of a friend.  I didn't know that I would begin a journey that would forever change my life!

I have always been a big girl.  The only time I saw 160 was when I was a) growing up, and b) training for the military in 2006 (which didn't work out).  Since then, my weight has continued to increase.  I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma April 4, 2011 and completed chemotherapy that October.  During that process, I gained 30+lbs.  I was lucky to not face severe illness during my treatment, but unfortunately, my body held on to every calorie I was able to intake.  This led to me being at my largest at 266lbs.  I'm 24 years old, 5'5" and obese.  Not a happy girl. 

Dieting yo-yoing has been a part of my life.  My confidence has never been high and I have always felt self-concious.  I finally decided that I had had enough.  So I signed up for the website (free!) and began tracking my food. 

Seems easy right?  WRONG! 

As I began tracking EVERYTHING I was putting into my body, I began to realize how unhealthy I have been eating.  No wonder I have been gaining weight!  Previous to the 15 days, I cut out soda of any kind, then cut out everything except water (altered with Crystal Light or other brands of flavoring).  My caffeine withdraw was horrible...mood swings, exhaustion, enough of a change that my husband about funneled soda down my throat to make me "normal" again!  It has been 5 weeks and, other than my daily cup of coffee (tee hee hee), I have been a water only girl!

Hydration aside, as I began cutting this and that out of my diet and replacing it with healthier options, I have found that my natural energy has increased, I am sleeping better, and I feel "clean."  Yes, I shower!!!  Not THAT type of clean, but a cleansliness in my body.  A couple days into tracking my food, I began working out.  I started walking with my husband 2 miles every morning along our road.  I added some Xbox 360 Kinect workouts, and then started going to the gym (last Monday was my first day).  1 week later, I had lost 10lbs!  WOW!!!  Didn't expect THAT!  I know it was water weight, but still!  What a motivator!!!

I really didnt see how much of a loss it was until I measured various parts of my body.  A total of 7.5" had been shed!  Since then, I have been tracking (most of the time...) and working out.

I started the C25K training and will be running my first 5K September 15! 

It is crazy to think how a measly 15 days can change your life.  All it took was that first step.  Not admitting that you have a problem, but actually physically DOING something about it!  I have a wonderful support system, a reward system set up, and various short- and long-term goals to strive for! 

I took the plunge...are you ready to?

New Directions

...and I'm not talking about Glee!

As of Sunday, I have cut soda out of my diet.  I have known for a while that I needed to get healthier, but I have been lacking the motivation and energy to actually take the steps to do it long-term.  So, I decided to take a baby step.  My hubby (OH YEAH, I GOT MARRIED!) is doing this with me...cutting out soda.  All of it...not even diet.  As for me, I am utilizing Crystal Light in my water and enjoying the occasional morning cup of coffee.  He is relying on water, green tea (yuck!), and lemonade (still not great, but better than soda).

I know what the next step will be...no eating after a certain time.  But that is going to be difficult since hubs doesn't get home from work until 11:15pm.  If anyone has another baby step to take, please feel free to comment below!