Embarking on My Weight-Loss Journey

I think everyone has to reach their breaking point. That point when you just can't stand the way that the scale reads, the way you look in pictures and the way you feel about yourself. For me, it's been coming for several years.
I had five children in 9 years. And with each pregnancy, I added a few more pounds. A few pounds times five really starts adding up! Especially considering I never lost the weight from the previous pregnancy before getting pregnant again.
In addition, I've been on steroids for 6 years. No, not the kind that helps you build muscle. I'm talking about a corticosteroid prescribed to help me keep joint pain from Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis at bay. The good news is that my medication takes away a lot of the pain. The bad news is that the side effects are HORRIBLE! We're talking rashes, hair loss, increased appetite, fluid retention, mood swings, vision damage and my all-time favorite: WEIGHT GAIN.
Considering the high levels of the steroid I've been on for so long, my doctors tell me I'm "lucky" that I don't weigh 300 lbs. But I don't FEEL lucky. I look in the mirror and feel FAT. And I'm sick of it.
I think I hit rock bottom during Pregnancy #5. I was on bed-rest as a result of premature labor and could only get up for quick jaunts to the restroom. I developed gestational diabetes and for the first time, I REALLY understood what being obese and having diabetes could be like. And I made myself a promise. As soon as possible after the delivery, I was going to get serious about losing weight.
Three months later, I started walking 4-5 times a week. It was hard because my joints were so sore, especially my hands. This made pushing the baby in a stroller very difficult. And because it was Fall I had to bundle all 5 children up to go outside to exercise.
Not fun!
Once a week or so I'd get my husband Jason's P90X program out. But it was too intense, even with modifying the movements. I liked the program but was frustrated there was so much of the video I couldn't do. And what I did do left me in horrible joint pain for days.
It just wasn't the program for me.
Then I had a good friend tell me about Beachbody's other products. I chose Hip Hop Abs, a program of primarily dance moves designed to target my problem area: my stomach (is it any surprise this is my problem area after having so many children? :)
For the last two weeks I have been faithfully exercising 6 days a week using Hip Hop Abs. On top of that, I'm being really careful what I eat, trying to stick to mostly fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. And after only 14 days, I'm already seeing results. Drum roll, please...
I have lost an astounding 8.5 pounds and a total of 10.5 inches off my body! I can't believe it! Because this is my blog, I have bragging rights and for just a minute here, I'm bragging my guts out!
I am mostly astounded because after all the other things I've tried, with the physical challenges I face and after trying to eat healthy all along, I'm FINALLY seeing the results I've desired.
I'm sure you have had your own challenges to face in losing weight. And I can honestly tell you that it truly hasn't been as hard as I thought. It took choosing the right program and STICKING to it. It took pressing play every day and doing the workouts. It took choosing healthy meal options and saying "no" to the sweets, like chocolate chip cookies my kids make.
And it will CONTINUE to take a lot of work.
That's why I started this blog. And that's why I wanted to become a Beachbody coach for myself. I wanted to share my story and my success with others. I wanted to help other women out there who are like me: frustrated and desperately wanting to make a change to get fit and healthy, and to FINALLY lose weight.
Because if I can do it, YOU CAN TOO!
(Here is a picture of my five children. There are my reason for living. And the real reason why I NEED to lose the weight :)