The Reason

I've never thought of myself as an "overweight" person, but according to my smartphone, I am. Now, give me a little bit of a break ... I just had a baby six months ago. However, don't give me TOO much of a break, because there is no excuse for being overweight. Just ask Bob or Jillian. That's right, I look to The Biggest Loser for my health and happiness. That show transforms lives, and although I look nothing like the contestants now, I fear that if I let myself go on the way I've been ... one day I will. So I'm going to do something about it.

I'm going to count my calories with the help of my Calorie Counter app.

This is a commitment, so I'd like all of you to support me. I went to the doctor yesterday to get a check up on my ankle sprain (which happened in FEBRUARY) because it isn't much better and I need an MRI. (Hopefully if I can get this sprain taken care of, I can start running again which will greatly benefit my weight-loss journey)... anyway I was JUST weighed at the doctor's office so I know exactly where I'm at. At 5'6" I weighed in at 170 pounds. OUCH. That's hard to admit, mostly because I still see myself as this athletic individual. Though it's not NEARLY as bad as standing in from of America with a sports bra and biker shorts weighing in over 200... 300... 400... or even 500 pounds, admitting it is the first step and a big move in the right direction and the first step in AVOIDING those mega-numbers.

170 lbs is enough for my "SMART"phone to indicate that I am overweight for my height and gender. According to the phone, the overweight category for my size starts at 156 pounds. The "normal" category goes from 115 (WHAT???) to 155. That's quite a large bracket, and I'd like to be in there. Originally I had set a goal to get back down to my previous comfortable weight of 150 pounds, but now I'm going to stretch myself to aim for 145. I don't want to be stick-thin. I just want to lose a few clothing sizes and get my life back in order. I want to make time for ME and teach my son what a healthy life is like.

It's just REALLY going to suck along the way.

But this goes along with one of my new family mantras - "Work hard, Reward harder!" I'm not going to deprive myself of the finer things (and flavors) of life. I just want to expand my menu, try new recipes, quit snacking so much, and eat more fresh foods. I can largely thank Jamie Oliver, The Biggest Loser, my steadfast devotion to Monnettes Market, and my slender friends and family members for the motivation.

So here it goes. A journey of an average-American just trying to shed some pounds, become more conscientious of what she's putting into her body, get back in shape, and ultimately lose 20-25 pounds in the process ... and gain her life and confidence back.

Wish me luck and PLEASE keep me accountable.

Here goes SOMETHING!