The Backstory

There I was, sitting at my desk, waiting for students to come and chat with me while scanning Pinterest and I saw it.

Wait, you're shitting me, I thought.  People think the most beautiful size woman is the size I was in high school?  That is so unfair!   You see, I spent my high school days hating my body.  I believed I was too fat for anyone to like me, when really, I looked like this: 

So after high school I went off to college and gained the the freshman fifteen.  Then I met my husband and gained another ten pounds from happiness.  Then we got married, and I didn't work out any more.   Add to that a steady diet of grilled cheese (since bread and cheese slices were about all we could afford) and I soon packed on another 20 pounds.  Around the time I met Matthew, I was right around 150 pounds.  Now I weigh about 225, am a size 20, and look like this: 

I miss the younger, less doughy version of myself.  I miss being able to work out for an hour and leave the gym not feeling exhausted.  

So what do I plan to do?  I am implementing an exercise regimen and holding myself accountable to you all through the blogosphere. I don't intend to change my diet other than to try to eat more fruits and vegetables and cut back on junk food.  Basically, I love food, and any change where I cut foods out of my diet is only going to be temporary, because I will never completely cut anything out.  But I can devote time to exercise, I can make healthier choices as I'm eating each day, and I can lose weight.  

Don't expect a quick transformation from me.  I gained the weight slowly, through the years, and I plan to lose it slowly too, but I'm sure that I can.  

The Invitation:  So, fellow weight loss champions, here's my proposal.  Since so many women are constantly trying to lose weight during their busy lives, let's do it together.  Let's write about our stories of trial and temptation, our successes and joys.  Let's share healthy steps, exercises, and recipes.  If this is something you're up for, start up a blog and let me know about it.  I'll link to it, and we can support each other's journeys and inspire ourselves to continue on our own.