Introduction

I am assuming that most people reading this blog (if anyone does at all) will already know me.. But for the sake of an introduction--Here goes:

My name is Liz and I am 24 years old. If you were to look at my baby pictures you might say I was adorable with my silly grin and little tuft of hair sticking up. As I grew older, my hair grew long and bright blonde. I was a happy, content child that was athletic and constantly played outside. I should have grown up to be thin and beautiful.

Alas, for some unknown reason, around the age of 9, I started to get greedy with food. I began sneaking into the kitchen and stuffing whatever I could into my mouth until my cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk's. I remember going on a family vacation to the beach one summer and noticing my belly stuck out more than other girls my age. That solidified the fact that there would be no more bikinis on my frame for the next 15 years.

Before I knew it, I was a swarthy middle schooler. In the 8th grade I wore the same size as my mom. How did things spiral out of control? I don't really know. I was always envious of other girls who seemed to be effortlessly thin. Curse my Eastern European genes. Water retention and hair growth was about all they had done for me.

Mom, you'll probably deny this story.. But I remember when I was about 13 you told me we were going shopping. When we arrived at the shopping center, I happily bounded out of the car only to stop dead in my tracks when I realized we were at a weight loss center. I was forced to sit through a humiliating consultation. As I was sitting there with tears streaming down my face and not even listening to the consultant, I remember thinking, "I'm fat. I'm fat and everyone knows it." I guess everyone has those vain moments when they lie to themselves and think, "I don't look that bad." My little rose colored glasses had been smashed to bits and I discovered, I really did look that bad.

I've been on every diet known to man. I gave up carbs for 6 months once. I lost about 30 lbs. Then I gained it all back the first time I had a piece of bread. I ate tuna fish twice a day for a month. (Not the most pleasant month of my life.) I've taken all sorts of pills and supplements. Deep down, I think everyone knows that the only way you're truly going to lose weight and be able to maintain it is through diet and exercise. About a year ago I lost around 50 lbs. doing this. I lost my motivation and gave up. Sadly, I've gained it all back.

So here I am. A young woman with her whole life ahead of her. And yet up until now I had just become resigned to the fact that I would never be thin, pretty, or truly happy. But I have begun to feel so uncomfortable in my own skin that I realize I have to do something about it. It's not just about being thin anymore (Although you better believe I want to be able to wear saucy clothes), it's also about my health. Fortunately, I haven't really experienced any health problems because of my weight yet. My blood pressure and cholesterol were just fine at my last check up. But major health problems will be inevitable down the road. I want to be able to have a family and be happy and healthy.

My love affair with food has been a long one. For many years, the two most important men in my life have been Ben & Jerry. That all ends now. Hopefully, this blog will provide me with some accountability. Welcome to my adventures in dieting.