Just want to introduce myself :)

Yolanda4160

Here is my story:
Hello. My name is Yolanda. I am from New Orleans, Louisiana. I am thirty two years old, a wife, and a mother of two beautiful girls. Being from New Orleans, I was born and raised to adore food. Our city’s entire social life involves food and beverages. My entire family is overweight and so was I for the last thirty two years. But this January, I decided to stop loving food and to start loving myself more.

I have been overweight for my entire life. I was always the “chunky” kid in my classes. In high school, I remember literally starving myself to fit into a size 12/14. I would crash diet and lose several pounds but after several months, I would go right back into my old habits of unhealthy eating. My weight would roller coaster my entire adult life after the birth of my first daughter. I would go from 240 pounds to 175 pounds. Then, I would gain a little back, lose a little, and on and on. Then, in July 2009, we tragically lost my older sister. Her unexpected death threw me into a self destructing downward spiral. I used food to comfort me and my weight climbed back up to 225 pounds.

In January 2012, I stood in front of a mirror naked for the first time in months. I remember thinking to myself “what have you done to yourself.” I immediately stepped into action and threw out all the junk food in my home. I started out small just eating smaller portions and walking twenty minutes a day. I gave myself a starting goal of fifty pounds. As the months went on, walking led to jogging and jogging led to a gym membership.

In September 2012, I reached my fifty pound goal. I decided to add an additional twenty five pound goal which I lost 16 of by November 2012. I lost a total of 66 pounds within eleven months and dropped down four sizes. A healthy weight loss, the right way without crashes or any kind of trend dieting.

I am happy to embrace my new healthy lifestyle. I have even decided to give myself an additional twenty pound goal! I enjoy teaching my daughters the importance of health and fitness. I have learned that when I gain control, I will lose the weight. When I lose control, I will gain the weight.

Highest Weight: 240
Starting Weight in Jan.: 225
Current Weight: 159
Ultimate Goal Weight: 130