A little bit about me...

I'm a 30 year old woman originally from Newfoundland. I'm finding myself here in Calgary until June. I moved to this part of the country in January 2010 as my other half is a teacher, and since teaching positions are limited in NL we decided to check out this side of Canada to see what is has to offer.

So ! Growing up I've always struggled with my weight. A pretty face is nice to have, but being unhappy with my weight really led to feeling unhappy for a long time. It's funny though.. I've always gone through phases where I'd lose the weight, keep it off, and then slowly it'd creep back on.. that's because I never really made any kind of lifestyle change, only temporary, and therefore the results were temperorary.

I always like to walk and exercise, but let's face it, we need to recognize and be aware of what we put in our mouths. I'm a firm believer in " A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips."  I first read this quote when I was quite young, as in 10 years old at my grandparents' house.. this was a fridge magnet of theirs.  I understand why it was positioned so appropriately as my father's crowd certainly enjoy their food, and many of them have struggled with their weight as well, not to mention at about 30 years old my Dad developed type1 diabetes - something I want to stay away from, that's for sure !

When I got pregnant with Nicholas I enjoyed pregnancy to say the least. I gave into to any and all cravings, but thankfully wasn't running out to the store at 2:00am. I loved chocolate milk and cheezies, McDonald's Jr.Chicken with pickles, and ice. Ice cream has always been my ultimate comfort food. I love love love chocolate bars, but I'm only satisfied when I get my dose of ice cream. I think I ate it every day.. there were days I'd have chocolate ice cream ( if we bought it to keep in the house, not that it'd last) with fruit loops.. oh my... but it seemed to hit the spot, as they so, so my attitude was "whatever". Don't get me wrong, I ate quite healthily through out pregnancy, lots of veggies subs and the like, but God, did I ever want that ice cream....

So !  Nicholas was born by c-section on June 16th and through out pregnancy I set the goal for myself that as soon as I was 'able' I'd put my mind to it and get this weight off once and for all. I think just before Nicholas was born I tipped the scales at a whopping 275lbs.... at only 5'6".. I guess having such large hips helped me carry the weight, but when I look at pictures of me post pregnancy, I cringe.

August 27th ( after moving from Northern Alberta back dwon to Calgary, and a 3 week visit home to NL) I started Weight Watchers, and boy am I ever glad !  When I joined I weighed in at 256.4. Today, March 12 I'm at 230.0   The thing is.... I was acutally down to 221 just before Christmas, HOWEVER, we were very fortunate in that my bf's Dad flew us down to Florida for 2 weeks, and even though I had great intentions ( I went to W. W. meetings there, brought my kitchen scales, etc) I still indulged.

I gave up W. W. for a few weeks and it hit me today. At this point in my life with so much weight to lose ( I want to get back down to 150lbs and I know I can :)  ) I need the support and the accountability I feel when attending, so the $16.80 a week is certainly worth it to me.  Like most of you struggling and working hard at shedding the pounds, it seems like it never happens fast enough, but with the program it's a slow process which works well for LONG TERM sucess... you get into a lifestyle.

I enrolled @ Goodlife fitness 2 weeks ago and am glad I did... it's great me time, and I always feel a great sense of accomplishment when I leave the gym. I figure joining Weight Watchers again this Saturday along with a gym routine, and walking with Nicholas, when the weather permits I'll be back to my old self again in no time.. well.. originally, when I had started back in August I was hoping to have most, if not ALL of my weight off, but I got discouraged after Florida. So here we go yet again.

The great thing about W. W. is the support, but on a daily basis you don't get that.. hence this blog. I figured, I could post as often as I want, and this would help me to stick with, and stay positive. It's so funny because my friends find that I'm very motivating, so it's kind of too bad I feel off the wagon, but like anything.. it's never too late to start.. so here we go !