The fight for good genes!

When I was 18 I was told to enjoy my food and lifestyle now because in a few short years I would begin  the fight of my life with my weight & health...I thought "Nope, not me.  I've been thin all my life and I am active.  That won't change for me!  You silly people, just because my parents are heavy/obese doesn't mean I have to be"  Today the snotty thoughts are a joke on me!  I am at my heaviest AGAIN.  Last year I dropped 25ish pounds...by Thanksgiving I still had 12 off...now I am back to my original January 2010 weight.  Ugh!

Truth is.  Since 1994 when I was that thin, active teenager...I have lost my Daddy to obesity!  I miss him every day, every moment when he is on my mind.  He is missing my children's mortal lives, he died before he could meet them.  Though I am sure he helped pick them out for me.  I so wish he had chosen a healthier lifestyle & could still be here with us in a comfortable life!  At the time he passed I was 27 years old and about 10 lbs heavier than High School, healthy weight so I was still winning the battle in my opinion. 

In my 20's I did go up 10-15 lbs often but easily took it off if I just thought about walking every day at lunch or considered drinking slim fast each morning and lunch...not literally but really it was no big deal...until I turned 28 and my body COMPLETELY CHANGED!  It was in my 28th year that I struggled with depression having lost my dad.  At this time we were going through our first adoption process and wanting an infant from South Africa so I began a hormone regimen to make my body lactate!  In March of 2004 I weighed my most healthy, high school weight of 150.  In August of 2004 (4 MONTHS LATER) I had reached 185 due to my hormonal changes/intake...I blame this on my Weber/Schumaker genes!  I have not been able to ever take off that weight. 

Finally in August of 2005 we became parents to two wonderful, adorable little girls.  Did life change for me!  I lived for them now!  Just for fun we added our son 6 months later so we had THREE BABIES under 2 years old.  I was constantly in the kitchen making meals, snacks, bottles...I started a horrible habit of cleaning their plates (not babyfood) and snacking as often as Deonna, my toddler did.  I also started eating after 7pm which until then I never had felt hungry in the evenings.  This was my destress, unwind, "me time"...I allowed myself all sorts of scrumptious things that I would NEVER feed my children.  Why?  Because I want them to be healthy!  So why didn't I want this for me? 

I don't think it is any secret that I am NOW many, many pounds heavier now than I was then.  It sickens me to think that after all my rude thoughts of how Dad & Mom should have taken better care of themselves so they could enjoy life.  I have followed in their footsteps.  Yikes.

"Today is the first day of the rest of my life".  I remember my 2nd grade teacher, Mr Lawless say that many times.  Truth is, it is! 

Yesterday I taught a class at a Relief Society meeting about "Health Conscience Eating".  Nice!  I have known my subject for weeks now but really couldn't wrap my head around WHY they would ask me.  Then as I narrowed down my lesson...I realized I just needed to talk about how I feed my kids.  I want them to be healthy, strong & confident.  I would never want them to be "fat kids".  This is a blessing my parents bestowed upon us and we were and are very thankful.  I feed my kids well rounded meals with at least 3 of the basic food groups in each meal.  I buy them healthy snacks and yet hide away "goodies" for me for after their bedtime. 

Well, I cannot nor will not live life that way anymore.  I need to set a good example to my kids too!  I need to practice what I teach them.  I am not dumb...I know how this all works...  Don't take in more calories than you can burn in a day and lower my intake in order to lose.  I know that God has commanded us to eat whole grains, fruits & vegetables, with meat sparingly. No where does he say eat as much chocolate as you want after the kids go to bed.  Darn.  I wasn't blessed with good genes...but I'd like to fit into some good jeans!

Here's to a healthier me.  Don't hesitate to share ideas, helpful hints and RECIPES with me.  Check out http://forthehealthofitmindysweightloss.blogspot.com/ for how my first day went as well as a yummy recipe.  The kids love it and have no idea how much it is good for them.

Enjoy!