Hi new me..

I wanted to make a entry about weight loss and my journey...

I wish I had better pictures to share of me before, but I deleted them because I was so ashamed of myself but I was able to get into my old photobucket account and found a few pictures.

Now, if I've been trying to remember when my weight journey started...

Well, I was always over weight even as a child. It doesn't help that I have bad genetics either, as my dad was morbidly obese and died of a heart attack when I was 4 and my mom is currently obese and is borderline diabetic.

In high school my weight fluctuated from 180-198 but after my graduation when I was 18, I finally reached 200 lbs and a size 16, maybe even more than that because I rigged my scale to tell me lbs lighter...

After that I was desperate to lose weight. I tried diet pills, but I was so desperate I over dosed and was rushed to the emergency room and had my stomach pumped. In the pills I took, they were filled with caffeine and my heart wasn't taking it well. Long story short, it was pretty bad. When I was released, I begged my mum to get me liposuction. Which my mum let me get because she too was worried for my health and wanted me to get my weight under control.

So, I ended up getting lipo on my legs and thighs, where most of my fat was accumulated. The thing is, lipo 'shapes' you're body and doesn't really mean weight loss, which I learned the hard way... After the surgery I only lost 5 lbs and didn't see any difference except I was in pain and had scarring..

When I noticed my 200 creeping back on me, I was so disappointed because my 'quick fix' plans all failed.

By the end of summer, I was finally in the right mind set to lose weight the healthy way. I exercised once or twice a week and ate healthily...

September of '08 crept by and I remember hitting my first goal, to fit back into my size 12 pants. When that happened, I knew that I could finally accomplish my goals and it was all within reach.

But, I reached my first plateau. What I learned was it's easier to get rid of excess weight when you're heavier because any little change will melt pounds right off.

So, for my 20th birthday, I started Weight Watchers. On weight watchers I would bike to the location I got my food from, which is 1 mile from my house and hit the gym once that week. On weight watchers I got down to a size 10, another goal reached. I haven't been a size 10 since 6th grade and it was amazing.

Again, I hit another plateau and I started getting frustrated. I tried Lindora with no luck and stayed a size ten until I went on Nutrisystem and lost 5 lbs but that was it...

Then, summer came and I got my heart broken. That became my new push to keep going. This time I started counting calories, 1500 calorie intake and hitting the gym 3 times a week. By the time my 21st birthday came I was a size 8 at 160 on the scale, 40lbs lost.

It was exhilarating! I reached my ultimate goal at the time. Now that I saw how my face was getting more defined, I could see definition in my arms and I had a body shape, I decided to set a new goal. 'Reach average for my B.M.I', which would put me at 120 lbs [my current goal].

Over this past summer, I went down another 20 lbs to 139 lbs and a size 5, all through calorie counting and exercise.

But, I reached another plateau brought on by depression. I gained 10 lbs since my 22nd birthday.

Today, I am 149 lbs and a size 6. I'm still working towards my goal and I will reach it.

I count my calories, drink a lot of water, eat healthily and hit the gym 5-6 days a week.

Weight loss isn't easy and it's a never ending battle. I know that I can never stop counting my calorie intake or stop exercising or else there's a possibility of me gaining it all back.

It's a lifestyle change.

For the past year, I've been using myfitnesspal and it's been really helpful. I'm also being helped by a personal trainer since my 10 lbs weight gain this fall.

I think health is a great thing to have, I'm so proud of myself and the things I can do. It makes me feel like anything is possible!

^^^

before and afters..

I hope that my story may inspire someone...

I've learned that all you need is patience and perseverance and you can accomplish anything.

<3CarisseIris