After having a lot of problems, I have decided to completely cut meat out of my diet - for the moment I will be leaving eggs in my diet though. There are just a few reasons for this decision - first and foremost is the fact that I would never be able to kill an animal myself and then eat it. The whole pre-packaged killed animal does something to ease the conscience about taking the life of a living creature. It's been something I have struggled with for years - I was a vegan at 14 years of age and upon doctor's request I went back to a normal diet - integrating more dairy and eventually meat came back into my life. I've read up on protein and how it's too complex for our bodies to break down properly and most of the meat we ingest is expelled from our body... something else that made me start thinking again. On top of all of this - I noticed on the days I ate only vegetables I felt better than when I incorporated meat and dairy into the diet. It is absolutely possible to get all the necessary vitamins and nutrients from a plant-based diet.
Now... onto a few tips that may help you like they helped me.
1.) Buy smaller utensils so the "bites" aren't as big. I have small spoons that are similar to baby spoons, slightly larger - this will give you a feeling of being satiated because of the amount of time you are taking to consume the food on your plate.
2.) Chew slower - I remember seeing a show where one of the girls had a certain number of times she would chew her food. That's a bit extreme, but eating slower and chewing a little more can be beneficial. It takes your body about 20 minutes to reach the feeling of being "full," so if you eat quickly it is very easy to overeat. At the beginning of your new eating regimen, I suggest measuring, weighing... doing whatever you need to do to ensure that you have the correct number of calories on the plate in front of you.
3.) Little things can help you get to the place you want to be. Small adjustments can make you feel better, even on the days you think are absolute crap. These things that make me happy are making sure I look my best every day. I'm a big girl, but I take pride in the way I handle myself and the image that I project. I want people to know that I do care about myself and there's more to this than meets the eye. When I dress sloppy casual... I feel like crap, I don't feel like getting out and doing anything, I just want to veg on the couch and watch television and snack on random crap all day long. When I look how I feel... I'm ready to go out and conquer the world. Yes, that means every now and then I do it up big - high heels, curling iron, and the occasional dress. I make sure I brush my teeth 3 times a day - morning, afternoon, and right before bed. I make sure I have breakfast every morning (when I don't... it's bad!). I make sure to drink my full 8 glasses of water a day. I pluck those darn eyebrows when they start growing out. Sometimes I paint my nails, sometimes I don't. I know you may be thinking "oh em gee, this girl is so vapid," but truth be known... losing weight is about projecting an image too. I want to be the person I feel like, the person I believe I am, not this overweight person that sometimes likes to do nothing but watch television all day on a Saturday. I LOVE animals, I love the outdoors, I LOVE sweating... so why am I not out doing what I love? This leads me to the final thought for the day...
4.) Become the person you want to be. I am 150% an animal and people person. I have always wanted to help people and animals alike (yes, I know... people ARE animals, but well... deal with it! Hah). Why am I constantly trying to find a "secure" job with high pay when I will just end up regretting my choices and being bitter in the end? What is money in the grand scheme of things? Maybe I won't have that mansion, but I'll have my happiness and peace of mind knowing I did what I was truly meant to do, what my "calling" was for lack of a better term.
With that... I bid you adieu. I hope you are all faring well in the changes you are making in your lives. We all deserve happiness... let's find it! We may fall short here and there, but get back up - we got this.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Day Five
Today I came to a few realizations.
1.) I am good when it comes to goal-oriented stuff.
2.) If you know what you're doing and seeing results - it's okay to share that with people.
3.) Some people will gladly take your help if you offer it.
4.) Toffee cake should be outlawed.
That's right, tonight was my cheat night. Luckily... I didn't overdo it. A strange thing happened today, I was asked if I would be willing to train two ladies and their friends - I'm not a trainer nor do I look like a trainer, but I do know what I'm doing and I know the proper form and how to get results. I was still shocked because... I'm in worse shape than these girls looking for help... from ME. Then it dawned on me... why wouldn't you want someone in your court that knows what their doing and isn't perfectly fit? It's like having a friend working toward a goal with you that could help you at the same time. I told them I would help with any questions, show them how equipment works, etc., but I would not charge. I'm not a certified personal trainer, but apparently you don't *have* to be, I still feel bad though - I'm just a biology student who knows a little bit about the body and nutrition. I do think I could help, but I don't know... just doesn't feel right. If I were just helping my friends it would be one thing, but these are people that I don't know and... I don't know. I can't explain it. On to a new subject.
After seeking help from doctors for weight loss, I honestly came up with a lot of nothing. The only helpful people I spoke with were nutritionists, but even they didn't have all the answers to my questions - specifically about gluten, soy, veganism, etc. The thing about my visits with doctors was that I was "heavy," but healthy. I needed to lose weight, but the weight hadn't taken a toll on my body, heart, etc... YET. It seemed as though when it came to PREVENTATIVE medicine... they didn't know jack. The doctors I talked to seemed to only want to deal with the problem when it arose instead of preventing it from happening in the first place. All of this made me think hard about what I was wanting to do with my biology degree... could I do something positive with something that hits so close to home? You'll have to stay tuned to see the answer to that question!
Every day that I go to the gym I am shocked by the things I can do. I actually sprinted across a parking lot and did not get winded, normally it would take me a few minutes just to calm down from a 2 second sprint to get out of the way of a car! Haha! Small progressions will keep you motivated, you just have to notice them. One major thing anyone should do before they start is to take their measurements - you can't always rely on weight to give you an accurate "reading" on your weekly progress. Don't be discouraged by the number on the scale, you'll get where you want to be if you keep at it and if you think you need help - go get it! I encourage anyone that wants to join this journey with me to come along! My friend Jamie (http://beyondthefat.blogspot.com/) has her own blog and she is also losing weight - so join both of us and we can help each other along the way! :)
1.) I am good when it comes to goal-oriented stuff.
2.) If you know what you're doing and seeing results - it's okay to share that with people.
3.) Some people will gladly take your help if you offer it.
4.) Toffee cake should be outlawed.
That's right, tonight was my cheat night. Luckily... I didn't overdo it. A strange thing happened today, I was asked if I would be willing to train two ladies and their friends - I'm not a trainer nor do I look like a trainer, but I do know what I'm doing and I know the proper form and how to get results. I was still shocked because... I'm in worse shape than these girls looking for help... from ME. Then it dawned on me... why wouldn't you want someone in your court that knows what their doing and isn't perfectly fit? It's like having a friend working toward a goal with you that could help you at the same time. I told them I would help with any questions, show them how equipment works, etc., but I would not charge. I'm not a certified personal trainer, but apparently you don't *have* to be, I still feel bad though - I'm just a biology student who knows a little bit about the body and nutrition. I do think I could help, but I don't know... just doesn't feel right. If I were just helping my friends it would be one thing, but these are people that I don't know and... I don't know. I can't explain it. On to a new subject.
After seeking help from doctors for weight loss, I honestly came up with a lot of nothing. The only helpful people I spoke with were nutritionists, but even they didn't have all the answers to my questions - specifically about gluten, soy, veganism, etc. The thing about my visits with doctors was that I was "heavy," but healthy. I needed to lose weight, but the weight hadn't taken a toll on my body, heart, etc... YET. It seemed as though when it came to PREVENTATIVE medicine... they didn't know jack. The doctors I talked to seemed to only want to deal with the problem when it arose instead of preventing it from happening in the first place. All of this made me think hard about what I was wanting to do with my biology degree... could I do something positive with something that hits so close to home? You'll have to stay tuned to see the answer to that question!
Every day that I go to the gym I am shocked by the things I can do. I actually sprinted across a parking lot and did not get winded, normally it would take me a few minutes just to calm down from a 2 second sprint to get out of the way of a car! Haha! Small progressions will keep you motivated, you just have to notice them. One major thing anyone should do before they start is to take their measurements - you can't always rely on weight to give you an accurate "reading" on your weekly progress. Don't be discouraged by the number on the scale, you'll get where you want to be if you keep at it and if you think you need help - go get it! I encourage anyone that wants to join this journey with me to come along! My friend Jamie (http://beyondthefat.blogspot.com/) has her own blog and she is also losing weight - so join both of us and we can help each other along the way! :)
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Day Four - When the Going Gets Tough...
you get tougher! There are days where you may feel like you've failed. Today I had a moment of feeling like I just totally blew my diet and felt the need to work my butt off at the gym - I worked out twice as hard and added 20 lbs to every lift. I got home to log my food and found out not only had I NOT gone over my calories, but I was UNDER my calories and I pushed myself into the bracket of being 1000 calories below the amount I needed with the additional workout time. So I suppose since I'm going out with friends tomorrow night, I'll use these extra points in my "bank," except that your body doesn't really work like that, even though I wish it did. It's one thing to eat your calories and go a bit over, but to be significantly under has a tremendous effect on your metabolism and your weight loss for the week. Consistency is key. I know this is another short blog, but it's late...
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Day Three - The Hardest Concept to Grasp
As a serial "dieter" I had plenty of time to sit and think about what I was doing wrong. What foods was I eating? How many calories have I ingested? How much of my weight is muscle and how much is fat? Am I genetically designed to be fat? Do I have a thyroid problem? Maybe my cells are mutated and I have a rare inability to lose weight and can only gain! My doctor says I have a "large frame," does that mean I'm supposed to be fat?
Then come the excuses:
I have no time.
I'm just "big boned."
People stare at me if I go into a gym, they're judging me.
I don't have money to get a personal trainer.
I don't have money for a gym membership.
I don't like sweating.
I like eating and life is short, so have "fun."
Finally, the big kahuna: "It's just not worth it."
The worst thing you can tell yourself is that losing weight and gaining back your health is too much of a hassle, too embarrassing, or takes too much of a toll on your schedule that you call a "life." Oftentimes we avoid confrontation, especially when we have to confront ourselves. This is the place weight loss became a problem for me. I would rather starve myself than get out and do something about the excess weight I had put on. I ate so little that my metabolism slowed and it seemed virtually impossible to lose any weight, but easy to gain. I still struggle with this, but I'm trying to get better.
It's a pretty hard thing to digest when you hear from your doctor "You need to eat more so you can regulate your metabolism and lose weight." Um, EXCUSE ME? I have to EAT to LOSE WEIGHT? Psycho, time to find another doctor! I hate to admit it, but... I had to up my eating before I could really lose the weight I was wanting to lose. I had lost 5 lbs here and 3 lbs there, but for consistency I had to make sure I maintained a normal caloric intake and spent some of my calories doing physical activity. I also found that exerting energy via working out gave me more energy throughout the day - the lethargy went away, the necessary afternoon nap was no longer necessary (but still enjoyed here and there), and I found myself actually feeling hungry once again - something I thought I had lost. Today was my day off from the gym and I found myself wanting to hop in my car to go to the gym, but I know my body needs days off to repair from the work I've done and I give myself 2 days off a week from weight lifting. I do continue cardio 7 days a week, mostly brisk walking on my days off. Tuesday and Saturday are the two days I give myself "off," I feel better when I spread those days out and do not have them back-to-back because once you take two days off, that third day is hard to get back to the gym. I will tell you, it is probably worse at the beginning of weight loss, when you get to the point where you look forward to the gym... it's excruciating having to wait two days to go back. It's pretty late so I'll continue this tomorrow!
Then come the excuses:
I have no time.
I'm just "big boned."
People stare at me if I go into a gym, they're judging me.
I don't have money to get a personal trainer.
I don't have money for a gym membership.
I don't like sweating.
I like eating and life is short, so have "fun."
Finally, the big kahuna: "It's just not worth it."
The worst thing you can tell yourself is that losing weight and gaining back your health is too much of a hassle, too embarrassing, or takes too much of a toll on your schedule that you call a "life." Oftentimes we avoid confrontation, especially when we have to confront ourselves. This is the place weight loss became a problem for me. I would rather starve myself than get out and do something about the excess weight I had put on. I ate so little that my metabolism slowed and it seemed virtually impossible to lose any weight, but easy to gain. I still struggle with this, but I'm trying to get better.
It's a pretty hard thing to digest when you hear from your doctor "You need to eat more so you can regulate your metabolism and lose weight." Um, EXCUSE ME? I have to EAT to LOSE WEIGHT? Psycho, time to find another doctor! I hate to admit it, but... I had to up my eating before I could really lose the weight I was wanting to lose. I had lost 5 lbs here and 3 lbs there, but for consistency I had to make sure I maintained a normal caloric intake and spent some of my calories doing physical activity. I also found that exerting energy via working out gave me more energy throughout the day - the lethargy went away, the necessary afternoon nap was no longer necessary (but still enjoyed here and there), and I found myself actually feeling hungry once again - something I thought I had lost. Today was my day off from the gym and I found myself wanting to hop in my car to go to the gym, but I know my body needs days off to repair from the work I've done and I give myself 2 days off a week from weight lifting. I do continue cardio 7 days a week, mostly brisk walking on my days off. Tuesday and Saturday are the two days I give myself "off," I feel better when I spread those days out and do not have them back-to-back because once you take two days off, that third day is hard to get back to the gym. I will tell you, it is probably worse at the beginning of weight loss, when you get to the point where you look forward to the gym... it's excruciating having to wait two days to go back. It's pretty late so I'll continue this tomorrow!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Day Two
So here it is, Monday... my weekly weigh-in day. This is the day I dread most, which is precisely why I chose MONDAY to be my weigh-in day, to re-wire my thought process. Most of the time the things we associate with Monday are just bad - end of the weekend, start of the work/school week, end of fun time... if you associate something good (like a loss), then you'll have something to look forward to and what better day to do that than Monday? Monday... the loneliest and least appreciated day of the week, this is your comeuppance, my friend! I'm happy to be alive another day, no matter what day of the week. Another bonus I added to Monday was making it back/shoulders day at the gym - my least favorite muscles to abuse with weight lifting! I work twice as hard to get my back and shoulders to the level they need to be at so that eventually I won't have to work twice as hard on them, so far it's working (lol). Hello Monday, welcome... this is where the adventure begins.
I've decided to start this blog from scratch, so the weight loss I've had in the past will stay there and this will be only about weight loss from this day onward. With that being said... I'll introduce you to this "starting" weight, it's "x." As I lose more weight and am not completely embarrassed by the number on the scale I'll divulge my starting weight, but there are a few things I want to point out. I've read many stories, Facebook entries, message board messages, etc. by people that are looking to lose weight. For instance "omg, I am 125 lbs and 6' tall, I am A TUB OF LARD! HALP," "I just hit 150 lbs, shoot me," "After Christmas I can only fit into my medium size clothes, I'm such a fatty," so forth and so on. That being said - I am not here to belittle or berate myself, but I am also not here to make anyone else feel bad about being the size they are. I mean, come ON - I know perfectly healthy people that wear L, and even XL, stupid comments like "I just broke 120 lbs" may not seem like much, but to the people that think so badly of themselves because of their weight... now read that you're disgusted by your piddly number? They have to wonder what you think of them and then probably think worse of themselves. I can say that because I have been that person... "Wow, you say you're fat at 130 lbs - I don't know if I even want to know what you think of me." It hurt my feelings and that's the last thing I want to do to anyone... to make them feel bad about the person they are. Be happy and proud of who you are, if you need to fix something to feel better about yourself and/or your health and you are able to fix it, then... fix it. It's that simple.
Bottom line is this:
1.) Accept what you have become and if you don't like it - change it. This does not exclusively apply to weight, it applies to every aspect of your life. If you're too shy, too loud, too clingy, too distant, too annoying, not annoying enough (what?), lazy... the list goes on and on. You and you alone dictate what becomes of your life - you got to the point you're at with the decisions you've made and your reaction to events/things that were out of your control. Take the reins.
2.) Not everyone is created equal... in terms of weight loss and ideal weight. With varying metabolisms, body builds, heights, ages, ability to gain and lose fat/muscle, emotions, work, family, LIFE... these are all things we have to factor in when it comes to becoming the person we see ourselves as.
3.) You have to be willing to do the work. As much as I would love to score a trip to The Biggest Loser Ranch and have Dolvett and/or Bob work this butt off... it's time to accept that a life change requires more than a jumpstart - it requires time, patience, and dedication. One thing I carry with me is Dolvett's motto of "Hard work! Dedication!" That's what it's all about. If you want a miracle drug or a quick-fix... you aren't ready to be healthy. Get it in your head, let it sink in - this isn't going to be easy, you're going to have to work. Aside from that... know that YOU ARE WORTH IT ALL. Yes, even you.
4.) Do this for you and no one else. It's okay to have people that you want to be healthy for, but realize your worth to them and why it's important that you gain your health back.
This song is dedicated to you, with a little help... we can get where we need to be.
I've decided to start this blog from scratch, so the weight loss I've had in the past will stay there and this will be only about weight loss from this day onward. With that being said... I'll introduce you to this "starting" weight, it's "x." As I lose more weight and am not completely embarrassed by the number on the scale I'll divulge my starting weight, but there are a few things I want to point out. I've read many stories, Facebook entries, message board messages, etc. by people that are looking to lose weight. For instance "omg, I am 125 lbs and 6' tall, I am A TUB OF LARD! HALP," "I just hit 150 lbs, shoot me," "After Christmas I can only fit into my medium size clothes, I'm such a fatty," so forth and so on. That being said - I am not here to belittle or berate myself, but I am also not here to make anyone else feel bad about being the size they are. I mean, come ON - I know perfectly healthy people that wear L, and even XL, stupid comments like "I just broke 120 lbs" may not seem like much, but to the people that think so badly of themselves because of their weight... now read that you're disgusted by your piddly number? They have to wonder what you think of them and then probably think worse of themselves. I can say that because I have been that person... "Wow, you say you're fat at 130 lbs - I don't know if I even want to know what you think of me." It hurt my feelings and that's the last thing I want to do to anyone... to make them feel bad about the person they are. Be happy and proud of who you are, if you need to fix something to feel better about yourself and/or your health and you are able to fix it, then... fix it. It's that simple.
Bottom line is this:
1.) Accept what you have become and if you don't like it - change it. This does not exclusively apply to weight, it applies to every aspect of your life. If you're too shy, too loud, too clingy, too distant, too annoying, not annoying enough (what?), lazy... the list goes on and on. You and you alone dictate what becomes of your life - you got to the point you're at with the decisions you've made and your reaction to events/things that were out of your control. Take the reins.
2.) Not everyone is created equal... in terms of weight loss and ideal weight. With varying metabolisms, body builds, heights, ages, ability to gain and lose fat/muscle, emotions, work, family, LIFE... these are all things we have to factor in when it comes to becoming the person we see ourselves as.
3.) You have to be willing to do the work. As much as I would love to score a trip to The Biggest Loser Ranch and have Dolvett and/or Bob work this butt off... it's time to accept that a life change requires more than a jumpstart - it requires time, patience, and dedication. One thing I carry with me is Dolvett's motto of "Hard work! Dedication!" That's what it's all about. If you want a miracle drug or a quick-fix... you aren't ready to be healthy. Get it in your head, let it sink in - this isn't going to be easy, you're going to have to work. Aside from that... know that YOU ARE WORTH IT ALL. Yes, even you.
4.) Do this for you and no one else. It's okay to have people that you want to be healthy for, but realize your worth to them and why it's important that you gain your health back.
This song is dedicated to you, with a little help... we can get where we need to be.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Day One
Now marks a more technical portion of this blog. I will be charting my food and activity every day. I am having a hard time uploading pictures of the foods I ate today, but in the future plan to post pictures of the food as well.
I use www.livestrong.com, it helps me track what I'm eating via my iPhone so that it's virtually impossible for me to lose track of what I've eaten. Today, I did not do so well, I was way under on my calories and had some bad foods tossed in - this is reality, it happens. It's important to ingest the proper amount of calories, especially when you're working out (as I am 5 days a week, the 2 days off are spread out on Tuesday and Saturday). This needs improvement and with time it will get there.
Breakfast/post-workout:
Protein Shake (1 scoop of whey protein powder + H2O)
1/2 lg. banana
Lunch:
Morningstar Spicy Black Bean "burger" + mustard
1/2 lg. roasted carrot
1/2 roasted russet potato
Afternoon Snack:
Morningstar Corndog + mustard
Dinner:
1 slice mesquite smoked turkey
3 baby carrots
1/2 c. spinach
bowl of fruit: fresh pineapple, blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries - sprinkled with 1 packet of Truvia
Special treat:
1/2 bag of Homestyle popcorn
1 c. diet coke
This is what my chart looks like after calculating gym time:
Training:
Elliptical: 10 mins.
Weight lifting (free weights, machine): 45 minutes
Estimated calories burned: 724
I use www.livestrong.com, it helps me track what I'm eating via my iPhone so that it's virtually impossible for me to lose track of what I've eaten. Today, I did not do so well, I was way under on my calories and had some bad foods tossed in - this is reality, it happens. It's important to ingest the proper amount of calories, especially when you're working out (as I am 5 days a week, the 2 days off are spread out on Tuesday and Saturday). This needs improvement and with time it will get there.
Breakfast/post-workout:
Protein Shake (1 scoop of whey protein powder + H2O)
1/2 lg. banana
Lunch:
Morningstar Spicy Black Bean "burger" + mustard
1/2 lg. roasted carrot
1/2 roasted russet potato
Afternoon Snack:
Morningstar Corndog + mustard
Dinner:
1 slice mesquite smoked turkey
3 baby carrots
1/2 c. spinach
bowl of fruit: fresh pineapple, blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries - sprinkled with 1 packet of Truvia
Special treat:
1/2 bag of Homestyle popcorn
1 c. diet coke
This is what my chart looks like after calculating gym time:
Training:
Elliptical: 10 mins.
Weight lifting (free weights, machine): 45 minutes
Estimated calories burned: 724
Daily Intake Totals
- Cals: 862
- Fat: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
- Sodium: 1667 mg
- Carbs: 155 g
- Fiber: 23 g
- Protein: 60 g
- Sugars: 57 g
Your Recommended Daily Allowance based on a 2,000 calorie diet scaled to your calorie goal.
- Cals: 1569
- Fat: 51 g
- Cholesterol: 235 mg
- Sodium: 1883 mg
- Carbs: 235 g
- Fiber: 20 g
- Protein: 39 g
- Sugars: 36.11
- I have a lot of work ahead of me!
The Beginning
It was important to me that I start this blog the week after the first week of the new year. At the end of 2011 I was not in the shape I wanted to be in. I was ~80 lbs. lighter than I had been in 2010, but I struggled with small gains here and there and plateaus and had been discouraged. I had to take a look back and see what factors in my life were holding me back from achieving my goal. Let's just say... there were many things that I had allowed to dictate my life. By November 2011 - I promised myself that over the next few years I would work my hardest to get to a healthy weight and maintain it, unlike all the times in the past that I made this "resolution," I was ready to stick to it, it wasn't a "quick fix" or a "diet" by standard definition... it was an overhaul - my life would never be the same again.
Without delving too much into my past for the first post, I had put on weight after being somewhat physically active in school. I played basketball, was a cheerleader, ran track (short distance), and I had dance. Dance was my getaway, it allowed me to be who I wanted to be, who I thought I was, and who I wanted to become. I was always a little "chunky," I was 140 lbs. my Senior year of high school. I felt FAT. After high school was when the weight gain truly started, many things happened in my life during and after high school that determined the person I would be over the next 10 years; however, the effects those events had on me were my decision. That's right - I chose to go into that downward spiral, allowing my life to get out of control, creating excuses for laziness and my eating habits, and my new-found gaming addiction. This blog is already getting too wordy, so I'll cut to the chase: I had to become a different person, I had to become the person I wanted to be, the person I always have been, but was too scared to be. I had to take control of my life and change EVERYTHING for the better, starting from the inside out. So what am I doing? I am embracing myself, flaws and all - something everyone could stand to do. Even though the song doesn't necessarily reflect the intent of this blog, I do feel it applies. Become the "One that got away," become a better person, right your wrongs. Don't mix the message, this isn't about making exes jealous, become that mystical, mythical, legendary person that shines no matter what. This is about being a person that anyone can look at and say "THAT is a genuinely good person" and never give a reason for anyone to think anything less than just that. You are worth it, we are all worth it and I'd like to leave with a little quote that I feel applies:
"Consider it: every person you have ever met, every person will suffer the loss of his friends and family. All are going to lose everything they love in this world. Why would one want to be anything but kind to them in the meantime?" - Sam Harris
This blog is the documentation of the progress in becoming "the one that got away."
Without delving too much into my past for the first post, I had put on weight after being somewhat physically active in school. I played basketball, was a cheerleader, ran track (short distance), and I had dance. Dance was my getaway, it allowed me to be who I wanted to be, who I thought I was, and who I wanted to become. I was always a little "chunky," I was 140 lbs. my Senior year of high school. I felt FAT. After high school was when the weight gain truly started, many things happened in my life during and after high school that determined the person I would be over the next 10 years; however, the effects those events had on me were my decision. That's right - I chose to go into that downward spiral, allowing my life to get out of control, creating excuses for laziness and my eating habits, and my new-found gaming addiction. This blog is already getting too wordy, so I'll cut to the chase: I had to become a different person, I had to become the person I wanted to be, the person I always have been, but was too scared to be. I had to take control of my life and change EVERYTHING for the better, starting from the inside out. So what am I doing? I am embracing myself, flaws and all - something everyone could stand to do. Even though the song doesn't necessarily reflect the intent of this blog, I do feel it applies. Become the "One that got away," become a better person, right your wrongs. Don't mix the message, this isn't about making exes jealous, become that mystical, mythical, legendary person that shines no matter what. This is about being a person that anyone can look at and say "THAT is a genuinely good person" and never give a reason for anyone to think anything less than just that. You are worth it, we are all worth it and I'd like to leave with a little quote that I feel applies:
"Consider it: every person you have ever met, every person will suffer the loss of his friends and family. All are going to lose everything they love in this world. Why would one want to be anything but kind to them in the meantime?" - Sam Harris
This blog is the documentation of the progress in becoming "the one that got away."
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