Competition....

So, I'm thinking that in order to find substantial motivation, I am going to need one or more people in my life to compete with in this weight loss goal.... Anyone out there interested? We could set up some fun rewards, and really have a good time supporting each other...

History....

So, I guess you could say the I grew up as the quintessential "fat girl". I started to get chubby towards middle school age, and just kept getting bigger. I struggled some with bulimia around age 15 and was terrified out of it when I learned that your esophagus can burst open because of the stomach acid. It sounded like a much too painful way to die.... So, at 16, I chose to follow the very popular "low fat diet". I restricted myself to less than 10 grams of fat per day. I exercised every day (Cindy Crawford aerobic videos!) and in two months I had lost 40 pounds. I weighed 185 pounds.

Then, I got sick...I was hospitalized with fainting spells (diagnosed as vasovagal syncope, a stress or trigger induced loss of consciousness), and I knew I had to stop starving my body.

By high school graduation, I was back up to about 230 pounds. Off to college... Typically, for females, college brings on the onslaught of the "freshmen 15", but as for me, I lost 15 pounds. I was eating at least three regular meals a day, and they were (relatively) healthy for me.

By the spring of 2001, I had ballooned up to 273. I started a high fiber, low glycemic index diet, and I lost 35 pounds.

And then I got lazy... I was feeling better, so I cut myself some slack... I kept the weight off for a long time, but I didn't lose anymore.

Then, in April of 2005, I (accidentally) got pregnant. Over the course of nine months, I gained only 10 pounds, and actually left the hospital after delivery at 15 pounds less than before I was pregnant, ending up at about 240. So, after giving up breastfeeding (my daughter was intolerant), I packed on the weight again. I never knew how fast a person could gain! Within six months, I was at 284 pounds, my highest EVER.....

After some half-hearted attempts to get healthy, I have lost some weight...

Currently, I weigh 265 pounds....

The beginning...

So, this is the beginning of what will be my great weight loss story. Soon to come will be weight and measurements (way too much information for the general public, but hey, I might as well be open and honest...). I'll also share tips, food ides, recipes, triumphs (and downfalls), and photos. I hope to hear from all of you out there!