PROCEED WITH CAUTION!


I have decided to be VERY brave and post something very personal about myself.  Not real sure if this is a good idea, but I think there are lots of people that will relate and perhaps be encouraged to kEEP tRYINg!!!!  I have struggled with my weight since I was about 14-years-old and my health since my early 20s. I have had every “disposable” body part removed, except my gallbladder (and I have battled with that one!).  I have been on nearly every diet under the sun and have had limited success (it initially comes off, but always comes back on with an additional 5-10 pounds).  Crazy cycle to be in!  About 10 years ago, I was at an all-time heavy and decided to really get serious about my health and weight loss (I had some very serious health issues that I had very little control over and when something in my life is out of control I usually take total control over something else!).  Hence my 2 year journey with Weight Watchers.  It took me 2 years of being very faithful, but I finally lost 80 pounds and kept it off for 9 years (with lots of determination and hard work!).  Then last year I suddenly began to gain weight at an alarming rate (and NO I was not eating my way to happiness – no bon-bons for me!).  In addition to weight gain, I had other crazy things going on physically and emotionally for no apparent reason.  My husband of 30 years suggested I go in and have my hormones checked (initially I was furious – isn’t THAT every man’s reason for their wife to go a bit nuts?!).  However, after doing a bit of research on the internet about hormones, I got over my mad and headed in for an appointment.  WOW was I surprised at the results of that visit!  Hormones, thyroid and adrenals had completely crashed.  I am thinking to myself – there has to be a reason for that!  No real explanation for the why (ok-age related perhaps – I am 50 after all), and I was determined to get to the root of the problem.  I discovered that there was a doctor that did “hair testing” (they cut hair from your head at the root and it gives the lab your complete health history) and set an appointment immediately.  THAT lead to the discovery of heavy metal poisoning – which started a whole new set of daily “to-dos” that included diet, supplements AND sauna treatments (we purchased our own to make it do-able).  Almost a year later I am feeling SO much better!  I feel like I am back to myself again, but that DANG weight is still being hauled around and I am SICK of it!!!!  ENTER my new challenge!


I just started the LIVE THE LIFE 12-week challenge! (http://www.kristiapproved.com/)  This is an eating plan (diet) along with an exercise program (very intense).  My husband even decided to join me on this!  (LOVE that man – he is my very biggest supporter).  We just started on Monday – (today is Wednesday) so I am not very far into it, but I will say that it has already been an interesting process.  The program has you follow a very strict meal plan and you are eating 6 times a day (every 2-3 hours).  I have a pretty crazy schedule as a realtor and eating consistently is one of my biggest challenges – however, you are eating the same meals for one week and then starting a new meal plan for the next week, etc.  I have made the commitment to be VERY strict and do everything the program tells me to do and although I am still working out a few bugs (making sure I have the food wherever I am – just in case my day takes a U-turn), it has been as rewarding as it has been challenging.  The exercise is pretty intense (if you were watching me, it doesn’t really look like much), but every muscle in my body (including ones I didn’t know I had) is screaming at me right now.  I have always been pretty active (competing on the trampoline, playing volleyball, and my all-time fav basketball in high school) to working out on/off most of my adult life, so I am pretty surprised at my body’s “objection” to this new work-out!  I am spending nearly 90 minutes every morning between weights and cardio, which is a huge time challenge, but totally worth it!  I have found that I have a ton more energy now and am wondering if I may have been borderline hypoglycemic since the added energy began as soon as I was eating every few hours.  Although I am NOT brave enough right now to post a “before” pic – I will post as to my progress and how I am feeling once a week.  


I know that one thing I know for sure is that all good things take time and determination!  If I do nothing I should expect nothing to change.  I know that I learn new things all the time and that if we pray for direction – we should be prepared – we just might get it!  I feel grateful to be starting a new journey toward better overall health and hopefully a healthy weight.  Join me, if you dare!