NGU

I was blessed to fall in love with and marry the man of my dreams at a young age.  I knew almost immediately upon meeting him that I needed him in my life as much as possible.  He brought me joy, taught me to look for the positive in every situation, and loved me unconditionally as no one ever had.  In order to provide for ourselves as a young couple we both found full time jobs.  I put off finishing college because we were living with one car, not a lot of cash, and I just didn’t think we could make it all work.  A few years later, after never attempting to not get pregnant, our first son was born. I cherished those years of being a couple before we added kids to the mix.  Every time I considered going back to school I’d end up pregnant or sick.  Eventually I told Dean that as soon as all three of our boys were in school all day I’d go back to college.

The year Bo was started school, I got the itch to start college.  I had another year before Zeke would go to school all day but he was in a great part time preschool program so I had some free time during the day.  In 2010 I started to attend Cincinnati Christian University.  I am now one year from graduating college. This was a life goal that I set for myself and committed to seeing through to completion.  I am counting down the classes til graduation in May of 2014.

Ironically another goal I’ve set and failed to fulfill through the years is to lose weight. It seems my body doesn’t work like everyone else’s and I am frequently plagued with disabling symptoms.   I originally planned to lose a substantial weight before I turned 30, but my health prevented that from happening.  After facing some difficult health problems in the last year I knew I had to make my health a priority.  My new goal is to lose at least 50 (hopefully more like 70-80) pounds before my college graduation.  This means I need to lose 1-2 pounds a week.  In order to achieve this I’m exercising daily if I can and cutting back my portions at meal time. I’m also incorporating more fruits and veggies into my diet.  I’ve lost a few pounds already but the most impressive difference has been my health. I’m more energetic and feel less pain on the days I exercise. it seems exercise truly is the best medicine.

Just like my desire to Never Give Up (NGU) on finishing college, I am determined that when I walk across stage next spring my body will be transformed into one that is more fit, leaner, and healthier. This is not going to be an easy task, but finishing college while battling chronic health problems hasn’t been either.

On the days when I don’t feel like exercising or want something unhealthy to eat I search the internet for success stories. For other women like me who knew their success depending on changing their health level, including losing weight.  I want one day to be able to write my own weight loss success story, that means making the right choices today and every day.  I think journaling my journey will help me stay accountable and focused.

I am not only doing this for my health but for my family.  My wonderful husband deserves  a wife who can keep up with him and our children.  I know that if I want to see my kids graduate from high school and college, I need to make healthy lifestyle changes now so I am healthy enough to be there to support them throughout these important years of growth.  I also want them to know that it’s possible to conquer obesity and health problems by choosing to exercise and eat healthy. Right now we’re failing at that as parents, and I want to be able to walk alongside them if the time comes that they need the encouragement to be healthy for themselves and those they love.

I want my children to say that their mom never gave up on her goals or dreams.  That means I have to live that out in front of them.   I want them to be proud of their mom, for finishing college and getting healthy but most of all I want to be healthy enough to be there for them in the future.   Today I finished a 2 mile workout and am glad I made the choice to.  All I can do is take things one day at time and hope in the long run I’ll see the weight melt away, but I’ll settle for feeling healthy even if it means daily exercise that doesn’t bring about drastic weight changes. But I’m hopeful my motivation and perseverance will bring the results I am seeking.