Hey All! So I just have to start off by saying this is something completely new that I am trying! I'm hoping that maybe sharing my story could help others and could help keep me motivated on my progress!
My Story:
I am currently 22 working on my bachelore's degree at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. I'm going for ultrasound for the heart. I've learned a lot on how being over weight can drasticly affect your heart so its very important to stay healthy! I don't want to be a helth professional who doesn't take their own advice and be unhealthy when I could be telling my patients that they need to lose weight. It's important to be what I preach to be healthy...so here I am! :)
When I was in high school I was very athletic in Gymnastics and Diving. Unfortunatly I didn't think I was "skinny" enough to be a great athlete so I eventually aquired an eating disorder and became anorexic weighing in at a small 80lbs (even though I am only 5 foot 2 inches) this was a very small number even for my small frame. After getting over this, I couldn't ever look at myself the same way again. I always felt I still needed to be skinny to get attention but I was no longer taking it out on my body by not eating.
I got a Diving scholarship to the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and for 2 years it was great! I was active every day! Until one day, I injured my back and had to choose between pushing through the pain of trying to ever dive again and quitting the sport. I decided it wasn't worth the rest of my life to have serious back problems but through this process when I couldn't work out I gained 25+ pounds and weighed 155. Now this doesn't sound like much but when you used to have an eating disorder this put my self confidence down the drain and I was misserable and very unhappy.
Since then I started going to school at the Mayo and my body weight fluxuated between 130 and 140 pounds. Now that I am at that higher end I needed to find my balance again which is why I signed up for this. I was working towards doing a half marathon but school got in the way and I used it as an excuse to not work out any more. So now here I am starting over and I'm hoping this is a great way to start!
Recently, All my family is moving out of state and I will be by myself. Knowing who I am, I won't feel confident in meeting new people if I don't feel good about myself so I'm ready to change that and start living like a 22 year old!
If anyone would like to give me motivation or just help cheer me on, I'd be more than greatful! It's hard enough being by myself so I would be so thankful for any positive comments!!!!
Good luck on your quest to being healthy and I'm always here for anyone who may have had some similar problems in their life! Its great to just share your stories and helps heal the pain of the past mistakes!!!
God Bless!!
~Merissa