the Universe Rules
BE ME - My history in photos
I believe it is important for you to know how I arrived at a place of change.
It all started for me in 1999 when I was pregnant with my first child. My dad had just died, I quit my jobs, and I had morning sickness all day. I was depressed and I ate everything...everything.
During that pregnancy I gained 75 lbs, reaching 265. After I had the baby none of the weight disappeared. I had never been so large or unhealthy and I had no idea how to fix it.
The dieting began and my marriage began to fail. I had a brand new baby, lack of support, and when I looked in the mirror I did not see the real me, in fact, I didn't even know who I was anymore.
Over the next 3 years I had back surgery to repair a herniated disc and spinal treatments for pain. I found out I had degenerative disc disease and after a biopsy on a lymph node near my lungs, sarcoidosis. I spent a year on disability and pain pills.
I remember the day it all changed. I was sitting in a recliner and wondering what was going to happen next. What was I doing? At that moment I made the decision that I was done making excuses, done with the pain, done with the medication, and I was going to change my life.
Three years after my son was born I started a popular high fat, high protein, very low carb diet. I lost 65 lbs. I was feeling better about myself, but I was far from healthy.
My highest weight, 280 lbs.
Vacation April 2007
Vacation April 2007
After my second child was born I gained all the weight back and more.
Above are pictures of me at my highest weight, approximately 280 lbs.
I was miserable and uncomfortable. I felt like I was trapped inside a meat suit. Once I saw the pictures, I realized I had to make a change.
This time I would do it the right way, the healthy way.
70 pound loss the healthy way and still a long way to go.
Front picture after my 70 pound loss.
Back picture after my 70 pound loss.
To get here, I had to take responsibility. I had to own what I had become and believe I could change it, so that's what I did.
I got tough on myself.
I took pictures every two weeks to record my progress and it payed off.
I became organized and meticulous.
Most importantly, I was always prepared. Prepared to workout, prepared with good food, and prepared to stand up for myself and my health.
I have a long way to go, and I am determined to make choices everyday that offer me an advantage to reach my goals.
Progressing toward healthy goals.
Feeling like myself.
Happy to take pictures.
I didn't want to lose out on having pictures of myself. I was forced to look at who I was as a person and not just what I looked like on the outside.
I began to discover who I was and who I wanted to be. I knew I wanted to make a difference and I needed a plan. I also needed to be held accountable. A system and a plan would be essential.
I was helping myself and I knew that the studying and the research could bring benefit to so many more. I wanted to inspire and encourage the world. I thought I needed to wait until I was super successful and had attained the perfect body before I could help others.
After a lot of reflection and discussion with my team I realized that it would be more beneficial if those I wanted to help could see me go through the transformation and experience it with me.
How will I overcome the obstacles? (sickness, vacation, holidays, injury, kids, money, weather, negative thoughts, work)
The next year in photos.
As I begin this experiment I will be taking many photos to catalog weight loss and body changes. I will also include pictures of significant events and accomplishments. I will also post photos and video of martial arts tournaments I compete in.
Please continue to check for new photos and information regarding the BE ME experiment.
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