And the SCALES SAID SO!

Today was the day.  After finally getting my act together last August, today I finally officially hit my goal weight!!  I'm so stoked I can't even TELL you!!  It's pretty surreal honestly, because for the first time ever I'm not the over-weight kid.  I wasn't ever REALLY over weight, but ever since I can remember I've been the slightly chunky kid who falls into the "over-weight" category on the BMI charts.  Can I tell you how amazing it feels to say my weight out loud and not feel embarrassed?  To know that I now fall SMACK in the middle of the "normal" category of the BMI charts?   I can't really remember when I was this weight...well, maybe it was back as a freshman in high school...?  Who  knows, and who cares.  I am there now.

I credit the actual weight loss to my changed eating habits mostly.  I read and reread Eat to Live by Dr. Joel Fuhrman and as much as I hated the idea of changing my eating that much - to go "that healthy" - I realized I wasn't after just weight-loss, I was after better health and better long term health.  And I knew what Fuhrman recommended was the best way for me to go about achieving short term health, long term health and weight-loss.  It's amazing what having a child will do for your desire to live as long and as healthily as possible.  The thought of leaving this earth before seeing all of my grandkids and even great-grandkids, makes me want to really take care of and cherish this body that God gave me.  And lets face it, the number of deaths in America from weight related diseases is just escalating.  Everyone knows it.  No one wants to admit that they might be eating in a manner that will send them down that path in 15 years, or 10 or even just a few short years.  I find that people often joke about the bad food they consume, I think to lessen the consequences and seriousness of the situation in their mind.  Unfortunately joking about a food pyramid of cheese, chocolate and pasta doesn't change the actual consequences that will one day catch up with you.

I'd like to sit here today and tell you that healthy people really DO come in all different shapes and sizes, but unfortunately, I'd be lying if I said that.  Healthy people do come in A LOT of different shapes and sizes, but not ALL shapes and sizes.  There is no way around the fact that the more excess fat you contain on your body, the more strain you put on your body and organs to function daily and the higher risk you are at for certain diseases.

So if you are struggling with your weight or health, I cannot encourage you enough to go pick up Eat to Live and read it.  Even if you don't like it after the first couple chapters, read it till the end and then evaluate.  It just made sense.  I can't tell you how good it feels to know that I am putting truly good food in my body; to know that I am taking care of my God given body the best I can; and to know that I am doing everything in my power to be around for my loved ones as long as I can.

So what is the magical weight-loss goal I achieved?  Well, I lost 35lbs, my height is 5' 3", and I am square in the middle of the 'normal' BMI chart now.  Can you figure it out?  You should be able to figure out my starting and ending weight with those numbers, just go find a BMI calculator online.  And while you're there, check your own to see if you need to make adjustments in your diet.

I don't have great before and after shots, but hopefully you can see the difference in my face in these.

2008-2010

2011

That represents a 35lb difference, baby!

Please feel free to ask me any questions you like.  Make today be the day that you change your health for the better!