Let me just start off by saying that growing up, I was always the chubby kid, or the cute little plump girl, and in my family healthy eating was not encouraged. Every meal was prepared with as much fat and flavor as possible, and I loved it. Throughout high school and college I tricked myself into believing that I was ok with my weight. At 16 I was diagnosed with arthritis of both knees and my right hip, my doctor encouraged me to loose weight, but I felt that everything was ok, because I had done diets I would loose weight and hear others tell me I was getting "too skinny," and I'd go back to eating.
But that pretend confidence and self love began to fade for me in the earlier part of 2007, when my weight ballooned to almost 300 pounds. My grandmother died in April and as I sat preparing for her funeral, I realized that it was a struggle for me to bend over and put on my shoes. It was embarrassing to have a friend work the shoe onto my foot and then buckle it. I was still stubborn; it took me another few months before I decided to make a change. My true breaking point was when I had to stop half way up the stairs to my apartment to catch my breath, I knew then I needed to change.
I work for a small medical practice and one of our patients who works for a popular weight loss program would talk to me about joining and I ignored her. That was until I knew I needed change. The best day of my life was the day I walked into the meeting.
At the same time I had just read about Dr. Ian's challenge, so I figured I could do both and be extra motivated to loose the weight.
I encourage everyone, drink your water and make sure you log what you are eating; you'd be surprised at how that encourages you in your weight loss journey.
Initially I joined both with the mind set that this would not work, but I slowly saw the pounds coming off and I knew that I could do this. I am not at my goal, but just loosing the first 50 pounds I felt as if I truly was a winner. I still have quite a way to go but each day that I can walk without having to stop and I can put on my shoes without help, I know I made the right decision.