Making a change

Unintentionally so, this blog entry is going to be somewhat of a weight loss entry. Because I haven't necessarily picked a 'theme' for this blog I suppose it's appropriate to simply discuss something that has been prominent in my life for some time.

Some of you may know while others may not know about my personal struggles with weight.
As a senior in high school I weighed 245 lbs at my heaviest. While I was studying abroad in Argentina, a mixture of homesickness and restlessness evoked an internal change which lead me to lose 100 lbs before returning to the States one year later.

I am the one in the tie dye, eating (surprise!)


One year later, carving pumpkins with my best friend Amanda at my lowest weight of 140 lbs.


From the time I came home in August of 2006, I have fluctuated a lot.
The change in lifestyle was the hardest, in Argentina I hardly ate out and never drank soda. I ate meat and vegetables and lost 100 lbs with a daily 2 hour walk that I would take around my host city. Coming back home, it was difficult to keep the weight off due to the increase in processed foods and eating out at restaurants to socialize with friends.

My sophomore year of college I had reached about 170 lbs (up from the 140 lbs I came home as) and found myself in a rut.

Luckily, as most women know, nothing gets you looking skinny as fast as a break up. During Junior year of college, I got back down to 145 lbs by adding more regular exercise (running) into my daily schedule. This unfortunately coincided with a darker time in my life, where I spent more time drinking than school work.

Here I am, back down to 150 lbs, and yes, I'm drinking in this photo. I apologize for using this photo, but this is the best example I have.


With the stress of graduate school I am disappointed but not discouraged to admit that I am back up to 170 lbs (give or take a few pounds depending on the day)

Although I am unhappy with myself at my current weight, I feel it important to be proud of where I have came from. Although I am 30 pounds away heavier than when I was at my skinniest, I am still 75 lbs from my heaviest. It could be worse.

Recently I have joined a gym and plan on losing the weight the same way I did the last time. By running 3 times a week and weight training twice a week while keeping with a healthy diet. Luckily for me, I come by eating healthy naturally. It's the exercise that I struggle with.

I hope that by posting this, my friends can help keep me honest. We all struggle with different things, and this is my biggest struggle. I am optimistic that I can get back down to 145 lbs within the year and appreciate all the support my friends have given me through all of it!

I'd love to hear anyone else's stories about struggling with weight or how to keep it off! Fluctuating is normal, but I plan on doing something about it.