I will be a success story in 37 lbs.

I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies;  for the hardest victory is over self.  -Aristotle

My 12 months of dieting...

11/01/07:  250

12/01/07:  240

01/01/08:  232

02/01/08:  218

03/01/08:  208

04/01/08:  203

05/01/08:  197

06/01/08:  186...down =)

07/01/08:  197...up.....

08/01/08:  187...down =)

09/01/08:  193...up....

10/01/08:  189...down =)

11/01/08:  179... way down!!!

Dieting and being healthy are HUGE parts of my life, but they do not define who I am.  I am known best for my sense of humor and wittiness (hey, gotta have personality if you don't have looks, right?)....

I grew up in competitive swimming.  This defined my whole outlook on life- don't finish until you get to the end, give it your all everytime...etc.  My best stroke was butterfly and I am proud to say that at the age of 8, I was 3rd in the nation for the 50 yard butterfly.

I always had a tendency to believe I was better than others.  Being shot down time and time again on that theory has left me where I am now, an insecure, self-concious little girl.  At times I can be the life of the party, but inside, I'm really worrying about what others are thinking.  I have a hard outter core and an extremely sensitive interior. 

I was great in school, but seeing as no one really liked the 'dork', I quit trying.  When my grades slipped, my parents started paying attention to me and I loved the attention.  I began to act out- quit swimming, got piercings, started drinking and smoking pot.  At the age of 19, my parents had had enough and quit caring.  I was left alone... this shy girl in a mess of her own making.

I bought my own apartment and began bartending.  The job put me in a bigger slump... all my friends were alcoholics and drug abusers... and I was right there with 'em.  At the age of 21, I met Mark.  Thank you Lord for that occurrence.

Mark straightened me out... told all my bad influences to hit the road... and set me on a new trail in life.  I got back in school, cleaned up my debts and got pregnant.  After having my son, I didn't know what was supposed to come next.  I began to want to drink again and have my old lifestyle before Mark because I was so lonely. 

Now, I am putting the pieces of me back together.  Where would I have been had I not gone down the wrong path?  Not here- so it's not worth thinking about.  I feel that this life I have chosen for myself is far from complete.  I want so much more.  I have come so far to reach greatness that I never want to quit.  God has a reason for my being, and I am working on finding that out.  I hope and pray I can serve him as he has me.

If you are ever thinking you can't do this, well, you are wrong.  I couldn't do this and look at me now, I'm doing it. 

That's who I am.

My MINI goals:

THE COURAGE TO START,

THE PATIENCE TO TRAIN,

THE WISDOM TO REST,

AND FAITH TO FINISH!!!

There are tons of reasons to keep going... but what is your reason for quitting?