Growing up, I was a chubby kid. I remember always wearing a one-piece bathing suit and having little chubby cheeks. I joined the swim team at my YMCA when I was in third grade and started to slim down. I really liked the way I looked through high school [as I was swimming and/or carrying my golf bag every day], but I was never "skinny." But that was okay with me. However, when I got to college [of course] I gained some weight. It wasn't too bad, but without swim and with the freedom of college, I started to dislike the way I looked. It got worse and worse throughout college as I gained about 20 pounds throughout my four years.
Now, two years out of college, cooking my own food, eating whatever I want, doing whatever I want, I find that I am not happy with the way I look.
I'm up to 160 pounds. I am 5 feet tall, and according to some websites, that's obese. While I'm not happy with the way I look [almost all of my clothes are tight and I feel like I have very few options everyday when I choose clothes for work], I also feel like I have less energy. I don't feel like going out to play golf and walking 18 holes because I'm tired, I don't feel like running as often because I know I won't get very far, and I find myself being sore more often after teaching golf lessons. Even this weekend doing the Color Me Rad 5k [which I will update you on tomorrow - can't wait!!], I could tell I wasn't my best.
I want to be healthy. I want to like who I see when I look in the mirror. I don't want to feel like I'm purely using clothes to cover up my body. I'm doing another half marathon in November, and from now until then [and hopefully beyond], I want to make a life change. I want to be a better version of myself. I want to be happy.
I thought this would be a great opportunity to link up for 5 for Five with Jessica and Jenn. I think if I start with 5 week long goals, I might get this going.
1. No snacking between meals or especially after dinner
2. Exercise once everyday
3. Drink 8-10 glasses of water per day
4. Bring my lunch to work everyday [so I can control what I eat during the day]
5. Only one Starbucks drink
The reason I am sharing this with you all is because I need your help. I might need some encouragement, and any suggestions you might have if you've made or are no a journey to become healthier are much appreciated. The blogging network is such a supportive group of ladies, and with your help, I know this time I can make this happen.
Thank you for reading, and I look forward to updating you with [hopefully] positive news as the weeks progress.
14 comments:
My weight has always been my biggest struggle. Sometimes I get frustrated when I've had a good week and the scale didn't budge. I like your goals though they each sound reasonable and achievable. Good luck!
My weight has been a huge source of issues for me. But, I have lost about 20lbs in the past 2ish years. I would like to mention that it isn't bad to snack between meals, just make them healthy/nutritious. Such as veggies, fruit...if I didn't snack a little, I'd be an angry person haha
You can do it, Meg! I have faith in you :) If you want, you should link up with us for Fitness Friday to help hold yourself accountable. That's the reason why I started myself. It always helps to have others that are in it with you!
You are going to do so amazing! We are all here to support you and motivate you. :) Hugs!
It's great that you want to get healthy, I love how you describe it as a better version of yourself. You can definitely do it and you have a huge community here to support you!
You CAN do this! I was always overweight growing up and actually lost weight through college up until now. And although I still have days when I don't love every inch of me, I am so proud of how far I've come.
Eating right goes a LONG way, for me that's how I lost weight. I didn't and still don't exercise a ton.
But YOU CAN DO IT. I'm going to tell you again-YOU CAN DO IT! YOU WILL DO IT!
I wish you all the luck in the world hun! I KNOW you can do it!
Meg! Thank you for sharing your heart! You can completely overcome this struggle and I'm going to do my best to help you! I'm over the moon excited about meeting you in November at the Disney Wine and Dine Half-Marathon (I'm registering in exactly 2 weeks!), so I think it is only fitting that we keep each other accountable! :) I haven't been running for a long time and I'm finally getting back to it. I'm working on the Couch to 10k program right now and then toning over the summer and then in August I'll be starting the half marathon training (Just so you know where I'm at). I will suggest on your 1st goal, that you not cut out snacking completely. Just be cautious of what you snack on: fruits and veggies obviously are good. Incorporating healthier versions of chips and snacks isn't bad either, just go ahead and pre-measure them out whe you buy them. When I buy a bag of chips, I'll go ahead and divide out the portions so they're easy to grab and go and not overeat. This is definitely a lifestyle change you can make and I'm so glad you shared your struggle on the blog so you can have people to keep you accountable and provide encouragement! :) Let me know if you need anything! And if you want to check-in with each other over text or twitter about the workouts and runs we do, I think that'd be great! My next run is in the morning!
You can do it! Just get started. That is the hardest part... Now I need to take my own advice...
Meg,
I totally admire you for opening up about this tough topic on your blog. It is an issue millions of us struggle with, and it's great to see someone taking a healthy control over it. I know you're going to succeed. And if you ever need someone to lean on, look no further than me.
I've always seen you as a beautiful and strong person. Even as a kid I admired your self confidence and wished I could have been more like you. Please remember that as you go through this journey! It's so easy to get wrapped up in losing weight, that we forget about the other things that matter. Know that no matter what weight you've been at, or will be at in the future, there is someone who admires you for aspects that have NOTHING to do with your jean size.
Love Leah
I really started to notice my weight go up in college. The combination of food, lack of exercise and birth control made me gain quite a bit. I have struggled with losing it for awhile now, and I too feel pretty bleh about how I look in the mirror. I try to stay focused, but food is my weakness. I also will go on spurts of time where I am always at the gym or not at all.
Good luck! I have recently decided to make the same move on my blog over at Two Golden Spoons.
I'm on a little bit of timeline since my wedding is 130 days from today! ekk!
But you can do this just as I can. Good luck and I'll be here cheering you on along the way :D
http://twogoldenspoons.blogspot.com/2013/04/healthy-inspriation-and-reminders.html
Thank you for sharing this with us, Meg. I understand that it can be difficult to speak on this subject. Though I've never been overweight, I did suffer with and eating disorder for many years when I was younger and it's still something I have to fight against even now.
I'm really proud of you. Just please keep in mind not to over-obsess or to view your self worth as connected to a number on the scale - in fact chuck the scale - it doesn't mean anything. What matters is how you feel about yourself in the choices you make to eat healthier, work out and make a positive impact on your life and outlook.
My husband nagged me for years to workout with him, but due to deeply seeded body-issues I was too ashamed to even try. A few weeks ago, I finally said "yes" and now I adore it! We're doing the P90X workout program (not the food plan though) and though I was awkward and clumsy and not flexible at first, every day I got better and now I'm in the best shape I've been since I was a kid!
I would also recommend looking into emeals.com
We are doing the Clean Eating plan which is high in fresh vegetables/fruits, whole wheat and no processed food. The meals are fast and delicious and I know you'd love it! Let us know how your path down this road progresses and remember to stay healthy of mind - your body will follow.
I completely understand how you’re feeling and it’s not fun. But, you have the right attitude about this and are going to do great :)
Post a Comment