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?
