Audrey

I am not normally the kind of person who would participate in a "public" weight loss challenge, but I suppose that my own challenge with weight loss is apparent every time I walk out the door, so hey, why not! 

My family did not have an active lifestyle.  My dad had health problems that made walking, running, etc. very difficult so we never participated in any kind of sports as kids.  Luckily for us, we were all pretty much naturally thin.  Through my twenties, I never had a problem with weight.  It didn't really matter what I ate or how little I exercised, I didn't really gain weight or when I did it didn't take much to loose it. That changed dramatically in my early thirties.  A hormonal imbalance caused me to gain 30 pounds in a very short period of time and coupled with several knee surgeries, a more than full time job on top of two years of 18 credit semesters and a baby, well...it's hasn't been good.   My biggest problem isn't food, in fact there are lots of days when I basically forget to eat more than one meal (yes, I know this is working against me).  My problem is exercise. I spend 8-10 hours behind a desk and then after I get sitters home and errands run, it's 9PM and I'm trying to do something fun with Eva and then we're both exhausted and off to bed.

I have to primary motivations for losing weight right now.  1) I need to feel better about myself.  There are very few pictures of Eva and I together because I do not like to be photographed at this weight.  It's not who I want to be and I need to change that.  2) I want Eva to grow up with an active lifestyle and some skills for healthy living.  I have no good excuse not to provide that for her.

I hope to lose 30-40 pounds.  I have a daily meal plan that includes eating healthy foods at regular intervals throughout the day.  No more skipped/forgotten meals.  My desk drawer is stocked with protein bars.  Any day that the weather is even remotely nice, I'm walking to/from work.  My sister has gym equipment at her house and Eva has a standing daily play date so that I can work out at her house.  One of my program managers at work is also trying to lose weight and I've enlisted him as my "stalker."  No soda and no unhealthy snacks in my office.  I've essentially cut soda out of my diet completely (caffeine free diet coke is my once a week cheat).