A Little Bit of History...........

How did I get to this point in my life? 

I've struggled with my weight for some years now, have been overweight since meeting & settling down with Mr T 17 or so years ago.  There's been a fair bit of yoyo dieting in the last 17 years, the lowest weight I've been in that time is 9st 12lbs whilst following the Weight Watchers diet.  At just over 5ft 1 that's still over my "ideal weight range" given by the health bods.

My weight has steadily increased year by year, until I weighed a hefty 12 stone when I fell pregnant with Master A in 2008.  I didn't put much weight on with that pregnancy, but soon piled on the pounds after he was born.  I was diagnosed with PND when Master A was 4 months old and have been struggling with it ever since.  Comfort/binge eating has been a big part of my PND symptoms.  I often find myself eating an entire packet of biscuits without realising I've done it & without tasting it.

So, I'm now up to 12st 8lbs (yikes!).  I'm at the point in my PND recovery that I feel it's time to do something about this, to help my self-esteem & confidence increase from non-existent upwards.  I want to be able to look in the mirror & feel ok about my reflection.  I want to go clothes shopping & not feel crappy about myself when trying on lovely clothes but looking like a lump in the mirror.

I've signed myself up for the Activity For Health programme run by West Berks Council.  This is done by GP referral - my lovely GP had signed the forms back in June.  It's taken me 5 months to pluck up the courage to make the phone call.  But, call has been made, I've met up with the very nice man running the scheme & he has put together a gym programme for me to try out.  I just need to get there now!

The Activity For Health programme is run over 12 weeks.  I'm aiming to go twice a week to my local leisure centre to use the gym or do a class.  I get a reduced rate for those 24 sessions, and am able to take an "Exercise Buddy" with me to keep me company.  They pay the same reduced rate.

Today I downloaded the MyFitnessPal iPhone app to help me start my journey.  It's really easy to use & I haven't yet found any foods that aren't listed.  As well as the iPhone app, you can update your diary online too.

I now have the tools to start my journey, just need to get on & actually do something!