Here I am...

I am officially starting my journey to weight loss and better health tomorrow. I realize that it's not just a diet but a new lifestyle that I have to embrace so that I can be slim, healthy, and happy. I guess I just want to tell my story before I get started, so here I go...

I was born a chubby baby. I was a chubby toddler and a chubby grade schooler. I think I graduated from chubby to fat while I was in high school. I finished my senior year at around 200 pounds and in a size 18. Now, 6 years later, I'm at 250 pounds and a size 22. I look like a hippo and I feel like one, too.

But my life isn't all bad! I have a wonderful husband who loves me for who I am, not what I weigh. We were high school sweet hearts and we got married in 2005. I've got a good job and I'm starting college this fall to start working towards a career. A lot is going on in my life right now and I'm excited. But at the same time I'm constantly worried about my weight and my health.

Despite having an awesome hubby, I still have some self esteem issues. I feel that my weight is starting to interfere with my life and even my relationships with those that I love. I find myself not wanting to go places where there will be lots of people. I just feel like everyone is looking at me and thinking of how whale like I look. I know that is a bit self centered and it probably isn't true, but I can't help how I feel.

My husband wants to take me places this summer. He wants to go to an amusement park and ride the roller coasters, but I'm afraid I won't be able to fit the seat belts around my fat booty. We both want to go on a vacation by the ocean, but I would literally not be caught dead in a swimsuit in public. I keep thinking that I will do these things and start enjoying life "after I get skinny...". The problem is that it doesn't seem to be happening and I keep putting my life on hold.

Recently I discovered that I suffer from infertility issues. I've been told that in order to get pregnant I have to get control of my insulin levels and get to a healthy weight. I may not want kids right this second, but in a couple of years I would like to start a family. This is a big motivator for me to get my butt in gear and lose this weight once and for all.

I decided on a low carb approach because of how well it manages blood sugar and insulin levels. I'm also going to watch my calories and keep it under 1500 per day (as doctor recommended).

I actually have a family member who has been following this WOL for about 4 months now and has lost 60 pounds already! She started with 200 pounds to loose and now she has 140 pounds to go. I need to lose 130 to get to my goal. That means that if she loses 10 more pounds she will have the same amount to lose as me to get to our goals. We made a deal that if she could get that far I would have to do the diet with her. So I'm going to have to keep my word and lose the weight with her.

I'm so ready to see this weight gone that I can hardly wait! After having weight issues for my entire life I've finally decided to end them once and for all. Smaller jean sizes, swim suit vacations, roller coasters and baby showers, watch out! Here I come!!! Next summer I'm going to be the one wearing shorts and not feeling self conscious about my jiggly legs!