Day 1

Wow it's been an interesting year. Starting in the May/June timeframe, I started having unexplainable pain that none of the doctors could explain -- mostly in my legs. I couldn't walk without my legs hurting, and my ankles feeling weak. I had 3 MRI's, an EMG -- the docs found nothing wrong with me, except a thyroid nodule that really had nothing to do with my pain. Looking back at it now, it was DEFINITELY stress related. Since then, I've started at a new job, for which we will have to relocate. Now we're putting our house on the market, trying to sell after just one year in the house, and OH, that pesky thyroid nodule -- well it had to come out because the biopsy was inconclusive. Turns out that it was benign, but now I have a lovely purple scar on my neck. Oh and of course my family is just increasing the crazy every day. Thank God in heaven for my inlaws :)

Well, anyway, needless to say the stress of the last few months has hindered my weight loss progress, but I think I really used it as an excuse. "I'm stressed out, so eating 3 servings of ice cream everyday is ok". "My feet hurt so I can't exercise", even though I could have swam or biked or gone on the elliptical. Stuff like that. There were always things I could do, but I just didn't have, and didn't WANT to have the energy or the drive to do them. That's the way it goes I guess, but it's definitely not healthy.

I think I really realized how far I had gone when I started to see red stretch marks on my belly, right next to my belly button. I never in a MILLION YEARS would have thought that I would be fat enough to see those red stretch marks. At first I thought it might have been a rash, but then I turned to my side and I saw them also on my side/lovehandle areas. Nope, not a rash. F***. So I've been stewing on this for two weeks now, getting more and more depressed, and I think it's time to take action. For God's sake I preach to people all the time how it doesn't matter what you say -- that actions are what truly speak...

SO, I'm starting over. I kept my first post from last time, but called it a "Reminder" -- because frankly, there's no need to write all over again what I already know. It's all still true. What stinks is that after all the work I did to lose the weight last time -- I gained it all back, and then some. I was at the doctor earlier this week, and I didn't even take my shoes off. I knew I was going to be upset either way, so why bother. Well, I weighed in at 215 -- 13 pounds more than I started at the beginning of 2010. Well today is the day that's going to change.

I am pledging to myself and my friends that I am going to:

• Stick to the weight watchers plan
• Exercise for a total of at least 3 hrs per week
• Weigh in on Sundays (except the first week)
• Take measurements on the 1st of every month
• Write in this blog at least 3x per week.

I am going to forgo the monthly posting of pictures for a while, but I will pledge to take the pictures on the 1st of every month. I will post 3 month updates showing pictures/progress. Need to get rid of these red marks first, haha.

Anyway, I hope you all haven't lost faith in me yet... getting back on the horse, giving it another go.... 80 lbs this time... Goal is ~135!!! Leave me some love..... :)