Don't Call Me Big Boned...



I know that being full figured and and fashion forward is all the rage these days, but I realized a few months ago, that being fat and fab means nothing if you're not healthy.
So, what's a girl like me supposed to do when she wants to get healthy?

Well, she joins Weight Watchers.

Okay, Okay, I can hear the not so distant sighs of big gals everywhere as they read this: "Another Diet... no Yasi, not you too!" and, "Do those things really work?"

Short Answer? Yes, but you have to work them.

I work out a minimum of 4-5 days a week for 45 - 90 minutes on average and I REALLY watch what I eat (yes, me---the recipe lover). It was hard at first, but it gets easier everyday. I still have my recipes, I just make everything that much healthier. At Weight Watchers we count points instead of calories. I try not to think of it as a diet as much as a lifestyle change because I'm using what I've learned to change my relationship with food. Food (now) is more than something I use to simply satisfy pleasure or hunger. It's not a sword I use against myself. It's fuel for a more active, less limited, and helluva lot more enjoyable lifestyle.

Nope, I'm not shitting you. No Pills. No bypass to leave me with excess skin and a hefty hospital bill. Just good old fashioned diet and exercise. I work out when I'm tired, I workout when I'm in pain, and I really workout when I'm sad and just want some fried chicken, a huge slice of chocolate cake and a big 'ol fat glass of Moscato to wash it down with. I work out because I have to. Exercise is like my daily shower or bath. I just do it because I know that if I don't I'm going to be really smelly. Besides, going to gym getting buff and then stopping is lot like going commando in the deodorant department. Things start to go south quick. Not cute!

The thing about weight loss is, it's the cumulative work that counts. You have to keep at it. If you do, it pays off. I re-discovered my deltoids muscles the other day. I'm stronger than I've been a long while; and though I managed to snag a ITBS injury to my right knee within the first few weeks of jogging that nearly put me out of commission (sucks!), I discovered my new found joy for running could be easily parlayed into speed walking, swimming and boxing. It's been three months and I've lost 30 pounds and a dress size.
I've done three charity run/walk events this year, and I'm working my way up to a half marathon (for 2010). Guess what? You can do it too.

Listen, I'm not saying that you have to be slim. If you love your curves (and they're nice and tight), celebrate them! I am saying however, that we could all learn a thing or two about being healthier. Proper diet and exercise really empowers! There was a time when I couldn't see my thighs over my stomach or wear a tank top in a public gym for fear of revealing the ever so unsexy flag of flesh undulating from beneath my armpits. Now, I hardly crack a sweat when I remove my hoodie and I can see the top of my thighs without craning my neck. It's all good!

I'd always been active, but was never too good at fighting my urges in the food department. Well, as it just so happens, I stopped doing even the little bit of exercise I had been doing to stabilize my weight to focus on career. I decided to lose myself in jobs that sucked up all of my personal time, while simultaneously developing a company of my own. Before I knew it, I was completely on the back burner. By the time my last job ended and my company was launched, I was my highest weight ever - 318 pounds. I couldn't ride the train without feeling a sense of shame. My figure wasn't the same, I was out of breath when I walked the stairs, I found myself weezing when I ran a quarter of a block. The boys didn't look at me the same. I was so depressed and very lonely.

It's hard to believe, but so many things can change for the better in a few short weeks. I'm 288 pounds today, my confidence is growing, my figure is returning and I'm seeing better changes in my body and my health everyday. Still a bit lonely, but the days are getting better. My goal is to drop 138 to 153 more pounds to see how the lighter half lives. I know I can do this, and I hope I have your support.

I'll be posting before and after photos here once a month. I hope you'll join me on my journey. I'd love for you to post your comments and or share your own success photos and or stories as I navigate towards a slimmer and healthier new me.

Labels: fitness, Losing weight, weight watchers