I want to be healthy. I have spent much of my life NOT being healthy. It has only been since my son turned one (2000) that I began my battle towards wellness. I have been on some sort of “diet” since before junior high school. I was very active in high school (including sports such as volleyball, cheerleading, and summer swim club), but I have always been a little heavier.
Then pregnancy. I gained over 50 pounds with my first. I thought 40 of it would melt off in the first few weeks. Nope. 25 went pretty quick, then another 10. It took a full year to get back to my already heavy pre-pregnancy weight.
Today I am 15 pounds under where I was at my son’s first birthday - and almost 3 dress sizes smaller. I even gained 50 pounds with my daughter (born in 2002). I am happy with how far I’ve come, but I would like to lose about 10 more pounds or 1 more dress size:)
How has it happened for me? The big difference for me has been exercise - and a goal. In October 2000 I started swimming (I competed in a summer club for many summers of my childhood and youth). So swimming was a natural first step for me. In April 2001 I started walking with a friend. That June I got a bike and began riding. I worked up to running short dinstances that month too. In August I worked up to being able to run 3 full miles, and I accomplished a goal that has changed my health and life - I completed a sprint triathlon. Completing the Danskin Triathlon was the goal I had set. I needed a reason to get up at 5 a.m. several mornings a week. Plus, I had some good friends who watched my son while I swam sometimes too (thanks Marissa & Jenn). And I could not have done it without the full support of my wonderful husband - he was flexible so I could get in my long bike rides and runs. He took on more kid duty:) Thanks honey.
My dear friend Sara started it. I watched her from the sidelines in 1999 while I nursed my son. I saw so many women of varied ages and sizes, even breast cancer survivors! How inspiring! I knew I could do it too. Their saying is “The woman who starts the race is not the same woman who finishes the race.” It is so true. I encourage all women to try the Danskin. You won’t be disappointed.
I still struggle with weight, with choosing the right foods, etc… but I have hope now. I don’t follow anyone’s program, nor have I eliminated carbs, nor do I drink my lunch:) This is an interesting jouney. I’ve “kept it off” for a year now, that’s pretty good for me. Now, how do I get rid of this last 10???
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