I have been overweight all of my life. I’ve lost significant amounts of weight before (various diets) but have always gained it back. I was tired all the time, no energy, slept poorly, lots of stress. November 2004, I went to my cardiologist. My heart was racing all the time and it was scary. He told me what I knew already: eat better, lose weight, stop smoking.  He told me to come back in 3 months and he wanted to see some improvement. Well, over the holidays there was no improvement. I traveled to Australia in January 2005 and had an experience where I could barely fit in the airline seat. I was miserable. I was in a beautiful new country and I could hardly enjoy it. The group I was with did a lot of walking and I couldnt. I had to take cabs everywhere I went.

When I got back I went back to the cardiologist who was pretty blunt about the fact that there had been no improvement. He told me I was borderline for diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure etc. In another three months, he would have to consider putting me on medications for these conditions. I was mortified...I did NOT want to go on those pills. I know once you’re on them, its near impossible to get off them.

Two days later, Valentine’s Day (I figured its a day about the heart, that I had to do something to protect my heart) I started my back to health plan. I created a plan for my eating and starting doing exercise everyday. I signed a contract with myself that I was going to commit to it for 12 weeks (very Oprah). I did a workout 5 times a week. I gave up refined sugar and “white” foods like rice, potatoes, and bread. I started to eat breakfast. I eat 5 times a day. I drink 8-10 glasses of water a day. I eat whole grains, fish, chicken, and lots of vegetables. I watch my portions though I still am kinda weak in the whole portion control thing.

Over the year I lost 100 pounds, but throughout 2006 I have been “stuck”. I’ve been in a major plateau for the year and then the pounds starting creeping back...I put on 25 pounds over the year. In general, I feel much better but I want to keep moving forward, not slip back.

I want to lose a minimum of 50 pounds.