Day One-Motivated...Kind of

My name is Stephanie. I am a wife and mother of two amazing children. I have a Master's degree in Clinical Social Work. I work for an amazing company as a therapist and the Transitional Housing Team Leader. I live in a town that I love and am blessed to be close to so many of my friends and family. My husband and I are remodeling our new home and making it ours. There are so many things that are going right in my life that it is now time to address a few things. This blog is all about my life and changes that need to be made. First and foremost...health. I have decided that it is no longer acceptable for me to be comfortable with myself the way that I am. I would not allow my clients to come to me with the issues that I have without holding them accountable. I refuse to be a double standard any longer. My weight has literally spiraled out of control. I feel like the only way that I will be able to truly make changes and stick with them is through this accountability. It is difficult for my friends and family to provide that accountability. My sweet loving husband has seen me gain 80 pounds in our nearly eleven years of togetherness. Since he is also an intelligent man he has not mentioned these physical changes and I love him for it since it is not really his job to be the fat police. The rest of my family may mention their own troubles in passing but may not actually say, "Steph, you have a problem, you are killing yourself with food." I don't plan on forever explaining to my daughter why she has the fat mom. I want her to gain the skills necessary to make smart choices not to forever be trapped in a body that makes her uncomfortable. I want to be able to chase after my son, he's already quicker than a ninja and he's not even walking. I want to be the best mom I can be. How can I be that person when I am not setting an example that I would want my children to follow?

This will be my journey and my personal transformation. I will be sharing photos and techniques that I have used to find my healthy me. FYI-I couldn't care less about being skinny. I am doing this to get healthy as I plan on being here for many years to come.  I am being honest for the first time...ever...when it comes to my weight and health. This may be TMI for some of you...deal with it and be prepared...pictures will follow.

Here are the starting stats:

Current Weight-280 Pounds-This is the heaviest I have ever been except while I was pregnant with Claudia. I weigh more now than when I gave birth to Gage ten months ago.

Current Size-24/26

Exercise Weekly-None

Current Average Calories Consumed in a Day-3,000-Give or take

Favorite Snack-Candy and Sweet Bread Snacks

Meals-Huge Portions with Lots of Inappropriate Additions

How am I going to accomplish my healthier version of me?

I created a list of twenty things that will improve my health. My goal for the next week is to complete five each day. Any above and beyond is extra health for me.

Here's the list:

1.      Pray

2.      Drink 64 ounces of water

3.      Eat a healthy breakfast that includes a good source of protein

4.      Take vitamins

5.      Exercise for at least 20 minutes

6.      Play with kiddos for 30 minutes

7.      Meditate for 15 minutes

8.      Brush teeth after every meal

9.      Read an educational article or journal

10.  Laugh

11.  Take pleasure in something small

12.  Let someone know how much they are appreciated

13.  Eat two fruits

14.  Eat two vegetables

15.  Choose two healthy snacks versus junk

16.  No pop day

17.  No coffee day

18.  Brown bag it with yummy healthy options

19. No Candy

20. Journal my food

Anyone have any other easy things to add to the list? If it isn't easy to start with I know I will lose motivation and quit. I want these to be lifestyle changes not whims. Let's do this!