How do I keep it off?

I don't know who will actually read this but I'm just gonna put it out there and maybe we can help each other. I have struggled with my weight since I've been out of high school. I don't know what it is that make you gain all that weight. I know not everyone does, but a lot of people do. I didn't even go to college to gain the freshmen 15....I just did it on my own. I'm a go getter! Right before I found out I was pregnant I was probably the fattest I had ever been. I say fat cause that's what it was. I was lazy and fat and it was starting to really show. I was stuck in a routine of doing nothing and eating whatever I wanted. I have no idea what I was thinking. It really effected the way I felt about myself. Then I learned that I had a baby on board. I was cautious to not use the "I'm pregnant" excuses to eat. I still gained 40lbs without even trying. I watched what I ate but I think it also what a little of just watching it on the plate, watching it be picked up and watching it go into my mouth. I was astonished when I tipped the scale at my 38 week appointment. I was 201! and horrified. I may have been 38 weeks pregnant but that was the last thing I had wanted to see at the time. Each appointment I watched it inch up until this day :) I went into labor that day and gave birth to my handsome little Joseph Scott the following morning, as you all know. I'm not kidding when I tell this story. As I lay there, baby being weighed, I asked the Dr. how much the placenta weighed? I was trying to calculate how much I would lose automatically. WHO DOES THAT? I guess a person who is so concerned about their weight. I think it's a funny story to tell but in a way it's kind of sad.

So 8 weeks went by so fast and I was already back to work. At this point I had lost 30 of my 40 baby weight pounds. I was feeling pretty good but knew I had aways to go to get back to healthy and happy. Sarah had told me that people at her work were doing The Biggest Loser weight lose challenge. I was totally on board. It was going to be hard though since I worked so far from her. I asked around my work and a few ladies were interested too. I was so excited to start. To make a long story short. I went from my start weight, 165, to 143. I love that number :) That's 22lbs! I was so proud of myself. I felt great, I felt pretty, I felt like I could be proud of my body....stretch marks and all. I even wore a bikini in Palm Springs. Thank god it was just the girls there. The guy friends would have been horrified lol. I cut out carbs and ate salads like it was nobodies business, but hey, I lost 22lbs.

Now getting to the point. The wedding has come and gone and I have been totally stressed out about all this stuff with my Dad, who I miss more and more every day that I don't get to talk him. I have been eating everything and anything and at anytime of the day like I'm Wonder Woman with that killer bod. I'm no longer breastfeeding so I can't depend on that to burn my calories. I have to, dare I say it, EXERCISE! I hate that word and everything is stands for. I've gained about 3-5lbs (it fluctuates) this month and now I freaking about getting it back off. If I let it go I could let it inch up again and that's not where I want to be.

I'm going to keep a diary right here every day to track what I eat and I encourage you to do the same on here. April and I want to set up a walk group twice a week as well. I'm thinking starting next Tuesday and Thursday. Please let me know if you are also interested in joining us. I will post my current weight every Tuesday and you should also keep track. I have so been avoiding my scale lately and it's time to get serious again. No more messing around or eating bad food, does Taco Bell count as bad food? It's soooooo good.

Sum it up:
Daily: record what I eat. Calories if they are available.
Weekly: weigh in every Tuesday
Weekly: walk Tuesday and Thursday
Goal: TO KEEP IT OFF!
Time frame: I say til December 31, 2009. I have to lose the lbs and keep them off.

Good Luck!