My Journey

I am writing this post because I have been told a lot lately that I'm an inspiration so I'm hoping that maybe something I say here with help someone else.

My journey started 16 years ago, it was December of 1997 my sister was a single mom and had lost her kids to the state, and we as a family were dealing with losing 4 cute kids ages 9, 7, 6 & 5. Then 4 months later my dad passed away unexpectedly, to say that our lives were turned upside down would be an understatement. If felt like we were hit by a natural disaster, and we were just holding on trying not to get lost in the ruble. I promise this does get better. With all that had happened I didn't know what to do with my life. I was angry with God because I felt like he had taken 5 people that meant so much to me away and that it was a punishment of some sort, I didn't know how to deal. So I did things that I thought would make God mad at me. From 1998 to about 2002 my life was spiraling out of control, I got into a deep depression and in 2002 I had hit rock bottom. Because of choices that were made I had lost a friend of over 20 years.

 However my depression had gotten worse I had suicidal thoughts and just wanted to die! Then February 19, 2005 I married a man who didn't treat me well & food slowly became my best friend it was always there for me. I ate away my pain and hurt that was never dealt with from all that had happened within 4 months many years ago. I was eating whatever I wanted and as much as I wanted even though I am lactose intolerant I didn't care. That all changed 2 1/2 years ago when I was laying in a hospital bed with over 100 kidney stones AND a kidney infection I started pleading with God because I thought I was going to loose a kidney I was drinking 5 or more Cherry Coke's a A DAY! So God told me that I needed to take care of myself better. So that was the day I gave up soda I realized it wasn't worth it anymore and I haven't touched it since! Believe me it was hard to give up that addiction cold turkey, but now I don't even crave it.

 At that point I was 220 lbs after a month I was down 10 lbs. I was still having problems trying to eat healthy there were things I didn't think I could give up and I didn't like exercise! So for just a little over 2 years I stayed at 210 lbs. Then I lost 2 more lbs in 2012 and that's where it stayed until Sept 2013 when I finally realized I needed to be healthy I want to have kids, I need to be healthy to do that. So I kicked my butt and started to learn how to make dairy free food and what foods I should give up. I can now say that I am well on my way to being healthy by eating healthy and exercising. I AM NOT DIETING I AM LIVING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE!!! The word DIET has the word DIE in it and I'm not going to die just to be healthy! As of today I am down 26.8 lbs! I am at 193.2 lbs and I have 63.2 lbs to go I will get there with a lot of hard work and determination! I get asked all the time what keeps me motivated and honestly with what I've been through how can I NOT stay motivated?