Getting to Where I Got - Part IV

Here are some pics of me "back in the day " ...

8th Grade Cheerleading (that's me in front)

10th Grade ... after one too many packages of Peanut Butter M&M's (yes, I loved them then too!)

Senior Prom

And WHY is it the boobs are the first to go?? ...



Anyway - I insert those pics to show that I wasn't always heavy (prior and up to 8th grade) ... but then I went through a difficult break-up between my 8th - 9th grade.  I started gaining weight then.  By the 10th grade pic above I had put on weight and it gradually climbed until I was 140'ish.  I lost the weight ... and that was a "good" thing ... but I did it in a "not so good" way.  Mostly - out of ignorance.  I didn't realize I was messing with my metabolism, starving my body, screwing up my cycle. 

Dr. Spindler put me on the pill and eventually cycles returned.  After my senior year of high school I started dating a guy and we went out and eventually my eating returned.  (That all started with a date to Great America and one "Frying Saucer" for dessert - haha).

I always figured - if/when I put on a few pounds I could just stop eating for a few days and exercise like crazy and the weight would quickly come off.  It always did. 

But years of yo-yo dieting wreaked havoc on my system.  

Over the years when "losing" became more difficult (and I began to loathe the ritualistic exercise regimine) I paid others to HELP me with my "problem" -- Weight Watcher's, Nutri-System, Jenny Craig ... you name it, I tried it.  ESPECIALLY after I had children.  I really put the pounds on when the children came along ... (take a look at just one for yourself ...)



So now I am learning how to eat properly (I say learning because I still would love to be able to eat and just starve a few days after) ... but to this day I really hate organized exercise.  I've tried and the same old obsessions kick back in ... starting back at the beginning of the count, riding just a little farther on the bike.  My back hurts?  Who cares ... I need to stay in shape.  My Rad tells me last week I have two annular tears in my lower lumbar spine ... thus, the radiating pain down my left leg?  Oh well ... deal with it - the show must go on.

I still have lots to learn and miles to go before ... well, you get the point.

I think I skipped around a lot and I'm not sure I ever really accomplished what I set out to write in this particular post but ... there's time. 

So there you have it:  A starting point in 4 parts that might help explain "How I Got to Where I Got"  (sorry to my English Teacher ... I know the grammar sucks ... just my attempt at being "cutesy" with my writing.  ;-) 

If you'd like to follow me on this journey post gastric bypass I sincerely invite you to come along for the ride ...

As Always ... The Joy Is In The Journey ...

(and having travel companions only adds to the fun!)  :-)

Until next time, I'll keep you ...

POSTED!