I have to start by giving credit to a few people that have really served as inspirations to me as I have, yet again, started a new journey. First, is my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, whom I have leaned on so heavily all my life but especially these past 2 months as I have turned things up a notch. Some others are my cousin-in-law, Clara Blitch, and my sister-in-law, Jennifer Talton, whose incredible transformations and blogs have kept me going during the tough days. Also, a huge blessing is my friend Taryn Violette, who started the C25K Program with me and has been carb counting and holding me accountable for over 2 years now as I have been trying to find something that works for me. And finally my family, especially my husband Mike, who has been working out for a year and half and looks better than he has in years. And to my kids who love me through everything. :)
A little about me, I am a 46 year old, Baptist preacher's wife & Worship Leader and a Registered Dental Hygienist. All my life I have struggled with my weight. I have been on just about every known diet plan and pill, along with most exercise plans. It started when I was literally in middle school, my struggle to stay thin. As long as I can remember I was being told, "Missy you don't need that." referring to cookies or dessert. Or "That's what's making you fat." I started on Dexatrim in High School, followed by real caffeine pills later. Every time something came on the market I tried it as an attempt to not be fat. I have yo-yo dieted all my life. I always thought I was fat, looking back, when I really wasn't that big. Its all so mental really. But now in my mid-forties I am legitly big. I weighed in at my heaviest this year wearing size 16-18's. I had always managed to keep myself in 14's for the past 20 years. But in 2013 it got worse. I have hypothyroidism that contributes to my body wanting to hang on to the fat or not let go of the fat. So that doesnt help, but that is not my main problem. I recently finally read what I think has been my true problem. I read and am really trying to understand carbs. In my lifetime journey I have been on low carb diets but I never made a lifestyle change. I mean I'll be honest, I love sweets! So I always went back to them. But a few weeks ago I read what I think has been my problem of slowly gaining weight to get me where I am today. And I might add I have always eaten what I thought was good choices and never ate much over 1200 calories a day. But I see now that doesnt matter. I read that if you eat in the 150-300 carb per day range you will slowly gain 1.5-2 pounds per year. That is exactly what I was doing. I have been married 25 years next month and I am EXACTLY 50 pounds heavier than I was then. If you do the math that is 2 pounds gained per year. I was not eating bad. I always monitored my calories, but not my carbs. I was SHOCKED how many I was eating on a good 1200 calorie day. Oh my word!
And backing up 2 months ago, I started the Couch to 5K Program. Its the 10 week program that gets you in shape enough to run a 5K in just 10 weeks. I never thought I could truly do this. I mean the first night when I jogged 2 minutes I thought I would die. But I am happy to report that I have only 2 weeks left!! I ran 20 minutes last night and I am GOING TO FINISH THIS!! That is why I decided to post my blog. To get encouragement. To help encourage other women my age to not give up and think you are too old or out of shape to try. I was about to that point but I am SO glad I didnt. I have been eating so much more healthy and have so much more energy most days. There are so many other things I am checking into from my sweet cousin Clara; Whole 30 and Paleo eating plans. I just am taking things one step at a time.
But please check back and see how I am doing. I could use some love and support and I will share my journey back down to where I need to be.
The good news is in the last 11 days counting my carbs I have lost 2.6 pound and since doing C25K (Couch to 5K) I have lost 6.5 inches and GREATLY rearranged my other inches! lol My butt is definately lifting up!
More later! Missy!
