Soooooo....

Hmmm, where to start? This is a multi-directional question. Where to start my entry, and where to start my journey...not so easy questions to answer. I've been considerably overweight since I was a teenager, about 10 years now, and now it's time to end that streak for good. I am 5' 3 1/2" tall and weigh 215 pounds. I have a medium athletic build, so that's not AS fat as it sounds, but pretty close. I'm proportioned, which I'm sure will work to my advantage, as well as muscular (under all the fat), so I should be able to burn calories a bit faster than most people. It's just a matter of how to get to that first step of setting out a plan and actually following it.

I've been here before. In 2006, I lost approximately 70 lbs. through diet and exercise. I lost the weight extremely quickly and gained it back even faster, plus 5 lbs. My current goal is to lose those 75 lbs., plus maybe another 10, but it's okay if not. I don't want to be "skinny" by ANY means. I just want to be healthy. It's more difficult for me to lose weight than many women even though I AM so muscular, because I have a condition called PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). I stopped having regular periods in my teens, and gained a lot of weight very quickly...about 60 lbs. in a year. I never went to a GYN until last year, and learned that my excessive weight gain, acne, facial hair growth (under my chin...so annoying), and high cholesterol could all be attributed to the PCOS. A relief and a new challenge all in one...*sigh*.

I have been so overwhelmed with the amount of work that has to go into this weight loss that I have yet to start trying to lose it. I have to find a starting point that isn't as gung-ho as last time...a plan that will allow me to take baby steps into it this time...otherwise it won't stick and I will fail yet again. That's another thing...I'm afraid of failing again, so sometimes I feel like I shouldn't even bother. But then I think about how much better life is when you feel healthy and vital, and I ultimately decide I MUST do this.

So this is it. This is the beginning of my journey. Right here, right now. No more procrastinating, no more "I'll start Monday"s. NOW OR NEVER. Wish me luck :)