Monday, March 26, 2012

A new Adventure

It's time for a new adventure.  I've done the research, I've seen my friends' results and I've decided to board the train.  I am going to start living a paleo lifestyle.  It's going to start with doing a "Whole 30" starting April 1st.  There is a lot of information, written by the experts, out there, so I'm not going to rewrite it.  Basically, I'm going to adopt a different diet.  In a nutshell: Eating fresh foods from good sources and eliminating all grains, dairy, legumes, sugar, & processed foods.

My story doesn't start now, my story began 35 years ago.  I came into this world as a big kid (9 & 1/2 lbs) and I stayed a big kid.  As a kid, I lived an active life style.  I spent countless hours outside.  Whether playing hide and seek, riding our bikes for miles, delivering newspapers, playing sports, or just hanging out, we were doing stuff.  I was never a great athlete, but that didn't stop me from playing basketball & softball from third grade through junior high.  I joined the golf team in high school. I was never good at running.  I was always out of breath. It never seemed fair to me that I was bigger than most other kids, but I didn't really dwell on it.  I didn't think it bothered me, but in retrospect, it has always been a burden I've silently bared.  I hated being bigger than my big sister.  I hated not fitting into the latest fashions.  I hated that clothes that did fit me were made for old, fat people. I hated that I felt like I wasn't doing anything differently that other kids.


I've always hated theses pictures.  See my thunder thighs and and general chunkiness.  Notice my sister (3 years older than me), notice, her skinny arms, legs and tummy! I do look happy, and I'm sure I was.  I was always a pretty happy kid.


I've never let my weight define me, but over the last several years, I've let it get out of control and it has buried me.  I know it's time for a change.  I know the change needs to be drastic, and I know the change won't be easy. I'm looking forward to the day when I don't think how much easier life would be if I was skinnier.


My goal is to be healthy.  I want to be able to do anything that I want and go anywhere that I want without worrying if my size will play a factor.  In September I started working out a Curves.  I've gotten in better physical shape, even if to an outsider it's not noticeable.  A few pounds have come off, but more importantly my energy and strength have improved.  I don't LOVE working out, but I do love the feeling when I'm done.  I love the feeling of putting myself first and doing something for me.

The funniest part of this journey is that I am armed with all of the information to be successful, but have failed so many times. What I lack is motivation and follow through.  I'm determined that this journey will be different.  That this journey will be successful with the help, guidance and encouragement of my friends and family.

My mom died too young. I see all that she is missing.  She would have loved being a grandma. She would have loved experiencing all of the things her grandkids do.  I want to have that.  I know I need to make changes now to ensure I have a chance to do all that I want to do.

There is so much more I have to say, and maybe one day I'll get my words together and be able to express myself.  Maybe one day, I'll feel brave enough to share all of my thoughts.  Until then, wish me luck, better yet, wish me strength and peace. :)
~Kerry