I am 34 years old, and I have been overweight most of my life. I was actually tall and fairly thin as a young child - until I hit age 11 and the sixth grade. Let's just say that was a bad year for me, and I started the bad habit of emotional eating. I kept gaining weight until I hit high school (don't ask how much, because of course I never weighed myself). I was constantly thinking about losing weight, but never stuck to any weight loss program. I remained heavy throughout college.
I started law school in Boston in 1996. Boston is a great walking city, and I would often walk a few miles a day (to and from classes, etc.) I noticed that I was slowly getting thinner, and I was motivated to improve my diet. Unfortunately, I tried a version of the Atkins program. BAD idea - I remember sitting at my desk at work over the summer, staring into space like a zombie and thinking that I could possibly kill someone for an apple. I decided that perhaps this was an unhealthy way to lose weight (duh), and threw that diet plan out the window.
Although I did not count calories or start a particular weight loss program, I did concentrate on trying to eat more healthfully - more fruits and veggies, and less processed and junk food. I still was not weighing myself, but I could tell I was continuing to lose some weight.
I graduated from law school in 1999, and my focus on healthy eating fell by the wayside as I was enduring the stress of finding a job, planning a wedding, and moving out of Boston. I got married in June 2000, and we honeymooned in Ireland. It was such a great trip, and of course we took lots of pictures. I remember looking at the pictures when we got home, as well as our wedding pictures, thinking that I looked so heavy and unhealthy. However, I had just started a new job and did not take the time to do anything about losing weight or becoming healthier.
Fast forward to January 2001 - my husband and I flew out to Arizona to visit my sister. Well, she had just lost a bunch of weight and looked fabulous. WOW, I was so impressed. Of course I asked her how she did it, and she told me by eating better and exercising (again, duh). Although I was very proud of her, I was also extremely inspired - and jealous (yes, I can admit that - we have always been the very definition of sibling rivalry anyway). I returned home at the end of January, and immediately enrolled in Weight Watchers.
Well, I was extremely motivated and focused, and I started losing weight right away and on a consistent basis. The change was very obvious - to me, and everyone else. Although the weight loss slowed down considerably (mostly due to lack of exercise, I thought at the time), I continued to lose weight. In the summer of 2002, I had lost 75 pounds. And quite frankly, I looked fantastic. Other WW members would ask me how I could stay motivated, how I could manage not to cheat (that's right - I very rarely cheated and went over my points). I honestly did not understand why it was so hard for these other members - I really found the weight loss to be easy. And I think I got a little, well, cocky.
In November 2002, we found out I was pregnant - and we were thrilled! Although I had a great pregnancy with no problems, I did gain weight - a lot of weight. I was not able to go to WW at all during my pregnancy (WW rules), and I fell back into old habits - and the new habit of eating for two. By the time I was full term, I had gained SIXTY pounds. I was devestated, but determined to lose the weight all over again.
A few months after our daughter Rhiannon was born (August 2003), I re-joined WW. This time, I understood how losing weight could be so difficult. I was stressed out with a new infant and going back to work full time. I resorted to emotional eating, and convinced myself I just didn't have the time to focus on healthy eating and exercise. I would lose a couple of pounds one week, then gain it back the next week - on and on for months. I would get frustrated and quit WW, then re-enroll a few months later. Fast forward to January 2008. Nothing had changed - I was still going to WW, but missed several meetings, and only did the program half-heartedly.
In January 2008, I was browsing Barnes and Noble, and saw the book "Skinny Bitch." (see link) The title intrigued me, and I started reading it in the store. I became even more intrigued, and bought the book and finished it within hours. The book basically advocates a vegan diet, with as much unprocessed food as possible. It made sense - a lot of sense - and I became more interested in the vegan lifestyle.
I researched diet and nutrition further, and found the book "Eat to Live" by Joel Furhman (see link). He also advocated primarily a vegan diet, but focused especially on eating lots of raw veggies and fruits. After reading that book, I decided to try going vegan. I soon bought an issue of "Veg News" and saw an article on Raw foods (coincidence? I think not).
Well, then I was REALLY interested - eating nothing but raw food? How is it possible to live on a diet of uncooked food? And who would even want to try it? Well, the internet is a beautiful thing - and there are plenty of websites to peruse. I saw the before and after pictures, I read blogs, I bought raw "cookbooks" by Alissa Cohen and Sarma. I was completely fascinated, and could not get enough of these books and websites.
So here we are in June 2008. The raw food way of life just makes sense to me. I have at least 100 pounds to lose (yup, you read that right!) and I need to make changes. My daugher is 4 years old, and I need the energy to keep up with her and my career, and - oh yeah - my marriage and family and friends. :) I may not go 100% raw, and I can't guarantee the outcome, but I'm certainly going to give this a try.
