Hello everyone:
My name is Liz, but I go by Libby online. I am 33 years old and I am presently obese. About 2 months ago, I came to a realization of sorts. One day I thought to myself as I looked at a scale that said 204 lbs, "hmmm...you have a history of diabetes, stroke, heart disease and hyper tension in your family. If you don't do something now, will you ever?" I decided that unlike being on a "d-d-d-diet" and worrying so much about the way I looked, that I needed to worry more about the way I felt, ate, lived my life and my current state of health. I, yes, have struggled for the majority of my life with my weight. Been up and down in weight. Up and down in clothing sizes. I realized that it all boils down to poor eating habits/choices, lack of exercise and way too big of portions. Hmmm...common sense basically. Well as I sat and pondered the way in which I was going to rectify this situation I was looking at a nutritional label on a carton on milk. The USDA sets guidelines on those labels based on a 2,000 calorie a day diet. First thing I needed to do was figure out what a healthy weight was and how many calories to eat to get to that weight and then once I achieve that weight, how many calories to maintain that weight. Ok...to the internet I go...
The USDA website states that a healthy BMI is between 18.5 & 24.9. Mine was 35. I was off the charts. Wow...what a buzz kill. Anyway, I was in the obese category. The next category up is Overweight, not much better, but sure beats the heck out of obese. Then the next level is just simply "normal". Ok...swallowing the fact that I was basically abnormal by government standards, I decided to see what they had to say. I decided to set my goal weight at 132 lbs. Why 132 lbs? Well I am not going to try to reach an insurmountable goal of being 100 - 115 lbs, because that would be for vanity and not health. So my healthy weight range according to the USDA is between 101 and 135 lbs. I am 5' 2". So I didn't want to be at the end of the weight range because it's too easy to fall off of it and I wanted to give myself a weight buffer. 3 lbs is fair. Anyway, according to the FDA I should be eating a total of 1750 calories a day to maintain 132 lbs. But while I'm losing the weight I shouldn't go over 1700 calories a day. So, I am eating 1700 calories a day until I get to 132 lbs and then I will increase that by 50 calories. So far so good.
Then I read that the USDA developed an eating plan that healthy Americans should follow or unhealthy Americans in my case, should follow to become and maintain good health. I started to follow the food pyramid. It's actually quite liberal and it's not hard to realize what the best health choices are if you are following the food pyramid. Each day, I get at least 3 servings of veggies, 3 servings of fruit, 3 servings of dairy. 2 servings of fish, meat or poultry, 6 - 7 servings of whole grains and 1 - 2 servings of fat (good fats and in moderation butter is included!). You can go higher than those servings, but I stay at the low end because it gives me more than enough choices. I also take a multi-vitamin, 2 omega 3 supplements, 2 calcium supplements and when needed a b-complex for extra energy. I also drink at least 10 glasses of water a day. Mostly with lemon added. Fresh lemon only. It's a great health aid. I have fallen in love with fruits and vegetables all over again. I used to love eating cookies and cakes and chocolate! Now I crave fruits. I also love to snack on raw almonds and walnuts. In moderation though. But they are very healthy for you and great source of protien and good fats. I like to make up my own trail mixes with walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds and dried cranberries. YUMMY! That is a great snack. Another one that I love, especially during that time of the month, is apple slices with peanut butter! OH WOW. SO good for you and so satisfying.
I enjoy trying new meal combinations. I am on a personal quest to be healthier. I am not denying myself anything either. But what's funny is most of the stuff that I used to eat huge quantities of and couldn't resist like, chips, cake, cookies, candy, I could care less about. I know what I am doing is good for me. I feel better, I look better. My hair, skin and nails are beautiful. I have BOUNDLESS energy. For the first time since I had my son (almost 2 years ago), I can ALMOST keep up with him!
I went to my family doctor about a month ago to let him know what I'm doing and to verify my weight. He gave me a script for blood work. I want to see where I stand with CBC, blood sugar, etc.. So I got my blood work done a week ago. I have a physical on 12/7, so we'll see. I had been eating like this for almost 2 months when I had the tests.
Now for my sins. I haven't had much of an exercise routine. When I started this, it was still very nice outside. Now it's bitter cold. I really need to work an exercise routine into my life. I know that I need that as much as I need the healthier eating. I bought some pilates dvds and I am proud to annouce that after having them 6 months, I have finally removed the plastic wrap from the package. Hey, it's a step in the right direction!
Now some bragging. Well I'm not going to get too full of myself, but I have lost 13 lbs in the last 2 months. I am not trying to lose this all over night, but I am trying to lose it for good this time. I really don't care how long it takes me, but I do care if it's effective and healthy. I bought this great scale and for the first time in my life I am in love with a SCALE???!!! It stores up to 4 different weights. Lets you set your target weight and tracks your progress. It also measures body fat and water weight. It's wonderful!
Well I guess I have given you all a mouthfull about my weight and health and such. I will share some other tidbits with you now. I am married to a wonderful man and we will be married 8 years on Jan 3rd. He's so supportive and loving and loves ME no matter what! I am truly blessed. I also have a step-son Alex who's 12 who lives out of state with his mom and step dad. He's a wonderful young man. I have a son Austin who will be 20 months old in 2 days! (sniff, sniff) He's getting so big. He's amazing and wonderful and I love him so much, it's scary! I am a born again child of God. I have been saved since I was 6 years old and Jesus Christ is the reason why my life is so blessed. If it had not been for Him, I would be no where. I have a rewarding career in philanthropy. I have worked for the same organization for almost 11 years. In the fall I will be going back to school to pursue my bachelor of science in business administration. I love to cook, garden, spend time with family and am very active in my church. I even started a website for them. Still in it's infancy, well embryo stage. http://www.gbc-online.org .
I would love to have a healthy eating/living buddy. I would love to meet others in my situation and that can relate to my ups and downs. Please feel free to email me.
Nice to meet you all.
Love and God bless,
Libby