On weight (and weight loss).

One of the most frustrating things about being female is preoccupation with body image. While I could go on a feminist rant about what it means to be female, fat, thin and everywhere in between, I’d rather focus on the issue of weight and health. In light of last week’s Paula Deen debacle, I figured I’d share a little bit of my story and the struggle to stay fit.

Weight has never been easy for me. Since childhood I have fluctuated between extremes from super chubby to teeny tiny. Right now I am somewhere in between. Last year I dedicated my life to taking off about 30-35 pounds that had crept up on me after college. I packed this weight on for a number of reasons: sedentary lifestyle, general unhappiness in my life and relationships, and a lack of portion control. There is no quick fix for weight loss and my struggle to stay on the smaller side of sizing will  be a lifelong battle.

As I type this I am roughly 15-20 pounds away from my goal weight. The numbers on the scale are what motivate me to run races, try new exercise classes and think long and hard before I order out. I fully intend to take the last few pounds off this year, knowing that this will be the most arduous part of my journey. So this year, I’m taking a note from my fellow bloggers (read the stories of Rachel Wilkerson, Pound Per Pound and Selective Potential) committing myself to talking about the process, the recipes I choose to make, workouts and goals.

April 20, 2010

May 9, 2011

Admittedly, I’ve gained about 5 or 6 pounds (ok, ok, I haven’t been on the scale yet this week) back since that May 2011 picture which is why it’s time to get my butt back into gear. This year I’m taking on another 5k, and challenging myself to a 5 miler and a 10k. Ready, set, go!