Let me start by saying welcome! I begin my blogging and weight loss journey simultaneously, because I feel it will be not only therapeutic, but because I felt an urgency from the Lord to do so. I’m a writer at heart, but, so far, I’ve been much better at writing than losing weight. I hope to – no – I WILL improve both, as I daily walk in God’s Grace. I promise to be brutally honest about the good, bad and ugly, because what’s the point of sugar coating everything..especially when one is addicted to sugar! 

So, in honor of my pledge to be honest, here is my story….

Growing up, I was very athletic. I loved to be outside, and I played any sport thrown at me (no pun intended). As I got older, I was still very athletic, but my eating habits were becoming less than healthy. I would sneak cookies (by the handfuls) every chance I got. I would PRAY that when desserts were being passed out, I’d get a piece the size of a small country. Looking back, especially in Jr. High and High School, I wasn’t fat by any means, but I wasn’t rail thin, either, so I was teased and made fun of by some boys in school. The fact that I had a C cup bra size in the 5th grade didn’t help matters, either. Needless to say, the way I saw myself was skewed at an early age. Add braces and glasses (at the same time, mind you), and well…

Things got a bit better when I became a Junior in High School. I got contacts, the braces came off, and a very, very dear friend taught me how to take care of my skin and wear makeup. She knows who she is. Keep in mind, I was still athletic at this point. Loved sports (still do, actually), and I was very active in volleyball. Then, we moved to Tennessee, and the weight started to creep on. Not because of the South. You can maintain a healthy weight ANYWHERE. They sell healthy food there, too, ya know! Once I got into college..forget about it! The weight gain race was on! Late nights “snacks”, eating out…yes, you can imagine. I ballooned like the Goodyear Blimp! And it didn’t stop. I don’t remember what weight I was at that point (I promise!), but it wasn’t good. I watched my friends all fit into petite clothes, and I was buying ones with X-tra fabric. I would love to be that size today, but the Bible says don’t look back, so I won’t. I’m just going to keep my eyes on Jesus!

After college, and several years later, I got married. I was in such wedded bliss, I gained like a banshee. Neither of us were health nuts at that point, so you can imagine. After about a year and a half into the marriage I got pregnant. Talk about happy! But, I was at 280 pounds, and I’m 5’4″. The only reason I didn’t look like a Weeble Wobble was because I carried it well (my body didn’t feel well, though) and had a lot of muscle. I immediately started to rethink how I was eating. I know, shoulda, coulda, woulda. Better late than never, right? Well, from the beginning, I was sick as a dog, and it wasn’t just morning time. It was morning, noon and night! After 11 weeks, I miscarried. I was devastated, and like in times past, I ate to comfort myself. I ate myself happy when I was sad, angry or depressed. I ate when I was bored. I ate when I watched TV. I ate because it was raining. You get the idea. I ATE. The only time I didn’t eat was if I was nervous or scared. A month after I miscarried, it was revealed to me that my husband was cheating. Lo and behold, I stopped eating! Not by choice. I was completely and utterly devastated, and food, for the first time in my life, took a backseat. I dropped 25 pounds in a very short amount of time, but I had no idea I was losing, because I was still wearing my baggy clothes. People were commenting about how much smaller I was, and I had no idea. My friend Brandon intervened, because he noticed, too. He took me clothes shopping and was picking out clothes that I KNEW were NOT going to fit. Guess what…they did! 

Long story short (I know..), I moved away after the divorce, met my now husband Jason (a wonderful man), and I am back up to where I was before. *sigh* But that’s ok. God is faithful, and He has shown me the path He wants me to take for this weight loss journey. And that, my friends, is why I’m here. He has put it on my heart to share my story and my journey with you. He knows who needs to hear it, and He knows why. He knows what story He wants to write in our lives, and I’m more than happy to give Him my pen. And now, you and I are in this together! 

I haven’t weighed lately, but I will in the morning. *gulps* I will also measure, and I will post that, as well as a “before” photo. I will post highs, lows and everything in between. Please feel free to comment, ask questions, whatever you feel. One thing you will find about me, I’m and open book. I’m not afraid to answer questions. I want this to be a site of encouragement, freedom to vent, cry, laugh, all the while keeping in mind this is a clean establishment. You can speak your mind without being abusive or rude. I thank you all in advance.

Please be patient, as I am brand spankin’ new to blogging. I’m going to be trying to figure this all out in the process, too! I’ll share more later. For now, I wanted to do the intro. More to come!

Be blessed! Be encouraged! God is in Love with you!

Your Sister In Christ,
April