Braver, Stronger, Smarter: My Why

Since getting here, I have started to feel a desire to start over in other new ways. I had lost about 20 pounds before the pandemic started, but then have gained about 30 since then. I am at my highest weight ever and seeing it inch closer and closer to another 100 scared me to death. My family has always had problems with weight. Several members of my family (immediate and extended) have had gastric bypass or the gastric sleeve. I do not ever want to get to the point where I feel that is my only option. I'm glad they were able to do this, but I see other side effects that have come with it that I don't want to deal with for the rest of my life. Last summer, I tried intermittent fasting with the help of a medical professional and that didn't really get me anywhere. Lately, I've been seeing a lot of friends sharing their progress with another program, and I decided to take the leap and try it out.

Why this? Why now?

I have a lot of health issues- anxiety, depression, Hashimoto's hypothyroidism (and the multitude of issues that come along with that), and I want to try to get these things under control. The last thing I want is to develop another autoimmune disorder because this one can't get under control. I want to be the active person I once was. I would love to get back into martial arts, even if it's just kickboxing- in order to relieve the natural day to day stresses that come along with being a teacher. I want to feel strong and capable. Last month when we went up to Brian Head, I felt winded (yes, the altitude had a lot to do with it) much of the time. I want to be able to see a cute shirt or skirt and be able to wear it. I want to be there for my nieces and nephews, and possibly adopt a child of my own soon. These are things that I feel unable to do completely at this time.