So, a few weeks ago, I was driving to work and listening to Q100's morning radio show, The Bert Show, and one of the hosts started talking about how there are so many people out there who use the excuse that the reason they can't lose weight and get in shape is because they don't have the money to join the gym, get a nutritionist, hire a trainer, by supplements, etc. Bert believes that ANYONE can do it, and do it for free...or almost free...just by taking a little time to do the research on their own. Bert wanted to do an experiment. He wanted to choose a listener who was, at this time, clueless on how and where to begin when it came to nutrition and exercise but wanted to get healthy and fit. As I was driving down the road, it hit me...I WAS THAT PERSON!!! I am a 40 year old, single mother of two incredible boys, who is now tipping the scales at 230 lbs. I don't even recognized myself when I look in the mirror. I know the person staring back at me is NOT the person who I am supposed to be. I was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. When I sat my boys down to tell them, my oldest looked at me and said, "You have to do something about this. When I have kids, I want to be able to tell them we are going to grandma's for the weekend, and right now, with your health already deteriorating, I don't know if that is going to be possible." This hit me like a ton of bricks in my very round gut. I want that too!!! I want to grow old watching my kids and their kids living out their dreams. And by not getting healthy, I am not only taking the chance of missing out on that, I am taking years off my life and robbing my kids and future grandkids of time with their mother/grandmother.
When I arrived at work, I got on my computer and immediately submitted my email to The Bert Show in the hopes of being chosen for this experiment. Not too long later, I was shocked to get a phone call from their producer, Tracey (what a sweetheart!!), saying that out of the 100's and 100's of emails they received, they chose me to be their person!! How exciting!!! This morning, I got to talk to the fabulous, inspiring members of The Bert Show on air. (Thanks, Bert, Kristen, Jeff, and Tommy) It was time to start the challenge! It hit me then....OMG...I'M THEIR PERSON. It is up to ME to prove that they are right....ANYONE CAN do this! (Yikes! LOL)
Ok, so first things first. Now, I'm not a moron...I know that exercise is good for you, but when it comes to exercising, what is a good type of exercise for a beginner to lose weight? Running, walking, swimming, lifting weights, not lifting weights???? UGH...where to start?? I make a whopping $12 an hour. I can't afford a gym membership. If lifting weights is great, what happens when you have no weights to lift? What kind of weights should you be lifting? How often?
And don't get me started on food. Again, I'm a productive member of society with at least half a brain in my head. I know McDonald's is not a food group. But what does fat in foods actually do for or to your body? How much should you take in? What is a bad carb vs. a good carb? How does protein and fiber affect your weight or help your body? How does eating certain foods affect your metabolism? DO they affect your metabolism? What time should you eat during the day? To me, food has always been something I ate when I got hungry. Not actual fuel for your body. And the cheaper the better. I can get a full meal at a fast food joint for $4-$5. What kinds of foods do I buy that are healthy but still won't ruin my budget? How many times a day should I be eating? All of these questions, and more, were spinning around in my head.
So starts my journey. This weekend, The Bert Show gave me some homework. I'm to do some research on fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. I'm going to get online and read, read, read. Then I'm going to the grocery store and am going to plan a menu for the week using what I learned and hit the ground running. This is going to be fun, right? Right?? Yes, it will, because after all is said and done, I'm not the type of person who just gives up. I was given a challenge and I'm going to work my butt off (literally, I hope) to make this a success. I hope you all enjoy the road to health with me! Especially since it's FREE!!!!!
Until next time......:)
-Krissy
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