Part 3

Whew baby. The after high school years. Life never seems to prepare us enough for that. It’s out of school and off to work or college we go. I never went to college. The only thing I knew I wanted to be was a mom and a wife. I always thought that maybe I would be a beautician. I loved to do nails and hair. (Still do!) But the thought of doing someone’s hair that really never washed it, um, not gonna lie, kind of freaked me out, and I pushed that idea to the back burner. Instead, God gave me a little girl to do her hair and nails, and cousins who ask me to paint their nails up at our cabin when we are all relaxing on the front porch.

Right after high school I continued to work. I worked at a restaurant as a waitress and we could eat whatever we wanted. Oh, Lord have mercy, that’s where the problem started.

Now remember, I wasn’t in sports anymore and for that matter, wasn’t walking up the WAHS hill after parking my car in the lower lot. I swear I burned 5,000 calories just walking up and down that bad boy five days a week. I had never exercised in my life. The only activities I did were riding my bicycle, rollerblading, soccer, and even marching band for one year. Now, waiting on tables was my exercise. In December 2005, I got engaged and was to be married that following September. So that year I really did make sure to not overeat because I wanted my dress to fit.

I really wasn’t heavy at my wedding. I had curves, but I always have. Thick thighs, tiny waist, and that round thing in the back. It’s how I’m built!

After our wedding that first year was so tough.

My husband’s dad passed away unexpectedly, and then my parents divorced shortly after. I always ask myself, did I turn to food because of all this? Our marriage was and is still wonderful. I always tell my husband, if we got through that first year of marriage we had, we can make it through anything!

Now, I am not blaming my parents for my weight gain. That’s not what I am saying at all. I am saying that food made me happy in hard times, and I started to let food comfort me in more ways than I should have. Dessert started to become part of not only one meal a day, but two or three. The mayo was getting thicker on my sandwiches, and so was I! Before I knew it, I had gained 25 lbs. before getting pregnant with my son in 2009.

I had tried so many diets between 2009 and 2018. I did the Kellogg’s diet, Atkins diet, Slim Fast, Weight Watchers, and the South Beach diet. Yes, I lost weight! The most I had lost was 28lbs. I was so proud, but then quickly went back to my old habits. Gaining everything back, and then some. Having babies actually helped me, because during my pregnancies I lost weight — I was so sick with my son for the first six months. The doctor probably figured I could stand to lose a little weight, so why give her something to stop her from throwing up five times a day? It was so bad that I had to keep bags in our vehicles for when I got sick. Oh, it was just awful! I had very healthy pregnancies though, and see that’s the thing, I never, ever had a doctor to tell me to lose weight!? I was a healthy chunky lady! Not a thing wrong with me. Plus, I could get on an elliptical next to some smaller girl and whoop her booty on time. So, I didn’t let my weight get to me. I have always had ambition and never felt lazy, because I wasn’t. I just really, REALLY loved to eat. Plus, I had this smoking hot husband who loved me no matter what. Never ever telling me, “Honey, you are gaining weight,” or “You need to lose some weight.” I had nothing to prove and felt comfortable with who I was. Until the numbers climbed higher and I was ‘close enough’ to a number I never EVER wanted to see. At this point I had gained 78lbs! I told myself I was going to do it, and this time I was going to keep the weight off! I had to do it for me.

That Friday night, I decided to start the following Monday. We were out to eat with our crew at Ozzie and Mae’s and I’ll never forget it. (Tania Myers said she will never forget this night either.)

I told her and my other girlfriends walking out to our cars, “Girls, this is it. I am going to lose weight and keep it off this time!” When I said it, I clapped my hands, Tania remembers the clap.

I was determined, and ready to start. That Monday I got started on my weight loss journey.

Delicious Homemade Chicken BL Salad

You can add the “T” if you wish, but this salad will have you coming back for more! Eating healthy doesn’t have to be hard.
Ingredients:
• Fresh Spring Mix
• Grilled Seasoned Chicken
• Hard Boiled Egg
• 1 slice of bacon
• Cucumber
• Red Pepper
• Add any veggies you like!
Directions:

Place the spring mix in a bowl and top it all with these goodies. Then, I sprinkle on just a smidge of mozzarella, parm, or sharp cheese and use a low-fat dressing.

Making two or three of these at a time is great lunch prep. If you have it in your fridge, ready to go, you will be more likely to choose healthier options.