Introduction

This post is to introduce myself and give you all an overview of my journey to fitness thus far.

Growing up I never had to worry about eating right or exercising. I was always thin (sometimes too thin). After high school I remained thin until I was about 19. I was no where near "large," but had gained about 15 pounds. The infamous freshman 15...or sophomore for me. 

When I became pregnant with my son in 2008, I was around 150 pounds (at 5'10) and a size 8-9. I wasn't used to watching what I ate and decided pregnancy was a pass to eat everything in sight. This resulted in me gaining almost 65 pounds and being placed on bedrest at 34 weeks because of blood pressure issues. I gave birth at 38 weeks and weighed 204 pounds. I was determined to lose the weight and ended up reaching 135 pounds about one year postpartum. Unfortunately, I "fell off the wagon" and ended up back around 165 by 2011. At that time I decided I needed to get some weight off before trying to conceive again.

I started drinking shakes and also tried a diet plan called Body 4 Believers. Both of these programs and a strict exercise regimen resulted in a 20 pound weight loss from July-October 2011. November 5, 2011 I found out I was pregnant with my second child. I started out determined to maintain a healthy lifestyle and not gain a ton of weight again. However, before long my food addiction took over and again I gained about 65 pounds. I had my daughter on July 6, 2012.

I have struggled to lose the weight this time. I am working full time and have two children now. I can blame it on my schedule and the fact that I have two kids, but the truth is I lacked motivation. I went back to work 6 weeks after giving birth and weighing around 183 pounds. When I went for my six week check up my BP was still high which was the reason I was admitted to the hospital at 39 weeks to give birth. I brushed it off and figured it would go down. However, several weeks later I ended up going to my regular physician and was put on blood pressure medicine. I got very strict with my diet and lost close to 15 pounds. But, once I saw that my BP could be controlled by my medicine I started eating what I wanted again. Eventually I just got tired of looking disgusting and feeling huge so I signed up for weight watchers in March 2013. During my 3 month membership I lost about 19 pounds. We went to the beach at the end of May/firt of June and that is when I really stopped following the plan and quit exercising. I haven't fully gotten back on track yet. I am hovering around 153-155. I would like to be at 135-140. However, my main goal is to get fit!

I stay tired so much and I know some of it can be blamed on my schedule and the fact that I have two children. However, I know that a healthy eating plan and exercise routine would boost my energy levels and just make me feel better about myself in general!

If you read all of that I commend you!