About Me

Where to start?!?  Growing up I was always very thin.  When I was in high school I thought I was "fat" like every other young woman and decided I needed to "diet"...big mistake.  I believe this is where my metabolism was really messed up.  I began eating very little while still being very active.  I was a ballerina since the time I was 2.  I danced everyday and eventually even went to a local college to participate in their dance program.  I was also a swimmer through college back stroke and loved it...as you can see I was a VERY active kid.  If I weighed 100lbs..that was alot.

I would say my battle with weight gain began in 2000 when a very dear friend died suddenly.  I was devastated and as a lot of people do, ate to make myself feel better.  Shortly after I’d reached a weight of 190lbs; I decided to do something about the weight gain and started a crash diet.  I ate very few calories and lost 40lbs in about 3 months.  NOT GOOD!!!  However, I did keep this off until I met and married my wonderful husband in 2003.  


Sept 2004, Baptism of Mason

 Almost immediately after our wedding, we became pregnant with our first son, Mason.  During my pregnancy with Mason I went OFF THE DEEP END.  I’m embarrassed to confess this but I gained well over 100 lbs.  When I gave birth to Mason I had reach the unhealthy weight of 290lbs.  It is hard to believe I was EVER that large but I just ate and ate and ate during my pregnancy, thinking it was OK.  My doctor talked to me a few times but it never worked and my hubby just kept telling me how beautiful I was (good hubby) so I didn’t realize how completely out of control I’d become.  We gave birth to my beautiful son and he was perfect.  Within 6 months of his birth I’d lost only a little of that weight and knew I needed to do something about it.  By his first birthday I was back down to 165lbs.  Another crash diet!!!  Then I found weight watchers.  I started to really think about the choices I was making and maintained that weight.  In 2006 I became pregnant with our 2nd son, Dominic.  Again the preggo April strikes and I gained 50lbs.  Much better but still not great!  After his birth, I lost it again but this time through weight watchers. 

June, 2007





I’ve continued on weight watchers ever since and have fluctuated between 170lbs and 210lbs.  Crazy range  (I know) but look at what I’ve done to my body over the years.  In 2009 I became pregnant with our gorgeous baby girl, Olivia.  I gained about 50lbs again and that is where my journey begins.

Now in 2011, it is time for me to find myself...in a healthier world.  I am happy at work, in my marriage and I couldn't be happier with my beautiful children...now it is time to focus on me.  Making me healthier, happier and just all around better!

The purpose of this blog is for me to journal my progress and track what is working and what isn't. 

My Goals?? 

• Get back into my size 10 pants
• Get down to 150lbs
• Enjoy a healthy self esteem as an example for my beautiful baby girl
• Run a 5K
• (maybe) participate in a triathlon
• Continue a healthy lifestyle for the rest of my life

How have I gotten started??
The first week in February I did 5 days of a "cleanse"...part of the Suddenly Slim program, I cut out most carbohydrates and seriously cut my daily intake of calories.  I lost 6lbs during these few days and I know most of it was water...the purpose was more for me to jump start my motivation then to actually lose weight.  IT WORKED!  The next week I was introduced to the Green Monster.  This alone has attributed to a huge increase in energy for me!  My Green Monster is a combination of unsweetened vanilla almond milk, blueberries, banana and about 2 cups of spinach...blended to perfection!!!  I have a green monster EVERY morning!  In addition to the Green Monster I have adjusted my eating drastically.  If I'm being honest...I had an awful diet before I made this commitment to myself.  I would think nothing of eating fast food and could probably eat a whole pizza without even thinking about it.  The worst part is that I was a closet eater.  I never serve this crap to my family so why am I eating it myself??  In addition to that...I was a couch potato!  I have 3 beautiful healthy babies (6 - Mason, 4 - Dominic and 6 months - Olivia) and I want them to have a healthy happy Mommy...not the grumpy, lazy Mommy!

This time I'm not "dieting" per say.  I've changed the way I look at and think about food.  I eat when I'm hungry, only whole grains, fruit, veggies and lean proteins.  I eat about 5 small meals a day and most of them before 5pm.  I try not to eat at night.  I drink a TON of water and I DON'T deprive myself.  If there is something I want to enjoy, I do (in moderation).  I LOVE FOOD.  This is part of my problem...I'm not partial or picky at all!  I love pretty much EVERY FOOD THAT GOD CREATED!  The great news is that although I've always raised my kids will healthy habits, this new way of cooking and shopping just reinforces it.     

Next step after changing my food was to think about getting active.  This is when I decided to join an aerobics class with Bel Air Rec.  We meet Tuesday and Thursday for a hour.  This was my foray into exercise.  After 3 C-Sections...my muscles are seriously out of shape.  The aerobics class was just enough to get me started.  March 2nd...I decided to start C25K (Couch to 5K).  This is a walking/running program that can train you to go from...no exercise to running a 5K in just 2 months.  This has worked for alot of people really close to me.  It definately worked to

So TODAY... 
Today I...

• Am happier than I've ever been in my life
• Have completed my first 5K (October, 2011)
• Have registered for another 5K in March, 2012
• Lost 22 total inches from my waist, hips, bust and thighs
• Lose 52 lbs
• Adopted a 90% vegetarian diet
• Eat Healthy Whole Foods, AND LOVE IT!
• Exercise EVERY day

The best part about this Journey is that it has been fun!  It may take me 2 years to get to my ultimate goal but you know what?!?!  I'm ok with that! 

Pictures to document progress: 

Livie's Baptism October 2010:

Summer 2012