The backstory: When I graduated high school 22 years ago, I weighed 117 lbs and thought I was heavy. I went away to school and lost even more weight....but then, I discovered the joys of alcohol. After failing out of school (parties > classes, amiright?) I wound up floating around, looking for "me," looking for my "life." Unfortunately, for the next almost 20 years, that "life" involved way too much food and drink and not nearly enough self-control or ambition. I figured, Mom is tiny, my sister is tiny, I am thin, ergo, it must be genetic and I'll remain thin. The pounds started creeping up slowly and at first, it was good. "Hey, I have a butt and boobs and I look womanly, yay!" I remember about 15 years ago, very clearly, talking to a friend and saying, "OMG I had to buy a size 12 in jeans, can you believe it?" But did I make any changes? Nah. The pounds kept coming and I kept rationalizing it away. Who needs self-esteem and low cholesterol anyway?
Fast forward to last year: After suffering from severe cramps every single month for most of my life, I finally found a gynecologist who thought to do an ultrasound. "Ummm, were you planning on having kids? Because if not, I'd recommend a hysterectomy." Yep, 38 years old and into menopause I go. Goodbye fybroids and severe endometriosis, hello estrogen replacement therapy. So what if I was a little lot crazy for a few months, and so what if I cried if you looked at me wrong...it's better than the cramps! (Seriously, it really was.) When I complained about mild depression and an increase in anxiety, my primary doctor introduced me to the magic of Lexapro. Great drug, Lexapro. Helped get me through some tough stuff while my body adjusted to it's new hormonal norm. Unfortunately, it also helped me gain a shit ton of weight, very rapidly.
And finally, to the present day: I am somewhere around 240 lbs. Yep, that is more than 120 lbs gained in 22 years, and 100 lbs more than I would like to be. I am borderline Type II diabetic, I can't go up a flight of stairs without getting out of breath, and I hate to shop for clothes. Yet, I still binge on food. All. The. Effing. Time. BUT! I did buy a new activity tracker (beautiful Misfit Shine) and I do have a FREE gym membership thanks to work. I have a favorite cooking/recipe blog (www.thestonesoup.com) that uses fresh ingredients for simple, easy, quick and well-portioned meals. And now, I have a set goal and the best motivator - I love my hard-earned dollars and I want them back.
I am so excited to be a part of this game and I cannot wait to hit that goal (and beyond). I look forward to having a place to meet like-minded individuals who want to use competition and common sense to meet their fitness goals. Let the games begin!