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?