I'm a native New York City girl now living in sunny San Diego. I'm married with two step-kids that live in New Hampshire. I have lingered on this forum for years. About 9 years ago, my husband and I lost about 30 pounds each on the Atkins diet. However, I never liked the food and have a family history of cholesterol and heart disease and my husbands mother, a long-time Atkins dieter, discovered recently that her heart is 50% blocked. (Just an FYI, Atkins followers, that you really need to check with your doctor first before following that diet.)
Anyway, I've been fat all of my life. There are pictures of me, even, as a fat 5 years old. It's genetic, my mother overfed me, I have fibromyalgia (recently diagnosed), clinical depression yadda yadda yadda, blah blah blah. Realistically however, at the end of the day, no one is forcing the food into my mouth anymore and no one is tying me down so I cannot be active.
In the past, there never were any REAL incentives that clicked with me to lose the weight. I've always carried my weight well. When I was a teenager, women in the fat lady department at the store would tell me that I was in the wrong area and that the Junior department was somewhere else even though I was a size 20, etc. I am a fashionista with a talent for finding trendy clothes that fit me and look good, so I never feel left out.
But something has happened as I just turned 40. Not until last year when I began having tight pains in my chest, grey hairs started sprouting and I've lost all my energy have I FINALLY had it click that something needs to be done now if I wanted to live a long-happy life with my husband. And between thee and me, my ultimate reason for living a very healthy lifestyle is I love my husband
and want HIM to live a healthy long life with me.We quit smoking for the 20th time 10 weeks ago. Now that I'm, literally, terrified of smoking, I don't think I'll be going back to that. I'm embarrassed when doctors ask how long I've smoked and I tell them 25 years. It sounds TERRIBLE!
We are blessed to live in San Diego where produce and meat is the freshest and cheapest in the entire country. So, we've changed our lifestyles to indulge in the bounty that is offered here. We're eating piles of fresh fruit, veggies, little to no saturated fats, lots of olive oil, lean meats, fish, whole grains etc. Since I'm Italian we're basically following the Mediterranean Diet.
I have found three tools that are indispensable for my journey:
We use Livestrong.com to count our calories and track our exercise. They have an android/iphone app as well. It's a great tool because it will replace the calories we burn in exercise so we can eat them. Bonus! I'm very proud of my husband. He's right with me, logging his calories, exercising and he's so proud of our little successes. I'm so lucky to have a husband like him <3
I use Tumblr for "thinspiration" (I can't link anything yet!!! so the address is maevealleine DOT tumblr DOT com) and go there every day to look at thin girls wearing fabulous clothing doing fabulous things. My tumblr is a bit racy and contains nudity so be forewarned
My digital scale. I weigh myself every day. It helps me determine what my body is up to and keeps me honest.
It's nice to be a part of an understanding community. Thank you, everyone, for being here and to the 3FCoaD founders. You're doing a great thing
Your newest old timer on these boards, Melissa
blog: oh! San Diego (www DOT ohsandiego DOT com)
