Indianapolis Go Red BetterU Challenge: Trying to Get It Right For the 100,000 Time!!

Monday, January 4, 2010

Trying to Get It Right For the 100,000 Time!!

Hello All,

As I embark upon this journey I plan to be open and honest with you about my every struggle, temptation, and triumph.

All my life I characterized myself as being short, dumpy, half the time feeling pretty frumpy and the victim of bad genes. At 5'2 and 26 years old I am at the heaviest I've ever been... Hello My Name is Dee.

Generally I am a pretty happy person, I love to live and laugh but inwardly I have struggled with a reality that seems to only get worse as I age, and all I can think in the back of my mind are my mother's words of wisdom "It's important to gain control of your weight now because as you get older it only gets harder."

hmmm... yea that was 10 years ago and in that 10 years the weight has seem to creep up a little higher here and a little higher there.

So at age 26 at that rate, I hate to see where my weight might end up at 30!! SO I'M TAKING ACTION NOW!! Trying to take action and make up for lost time and weight gained. I know it's possible it has to be, I've seen and heard too many success stories for it not to be, but for some reason I have trouble thinking that the same could happen for me. How do you gain a different perspective/positive outlook on something that you have always seen as a negative aspect of your life for so long?

So I sat down and weighed it out and these are my goals:

1. CHANGE MY DARN STINK'N THINKING!! (I can do this and weight loss is in reach!!)

2. RESEARCH HEALTHY RECEIPIES THAT BOTH MY HUSBAND AND I CAN ENJOY

3. START EVERY MEAL WITH A HEALTHY BREAKFAST

4. HAVE THREE HEALTHY MEALS A DAY/WITH 2 HEALTHY SNACKS IN BETWEEN

5. DO CARDIO AT LEAST 5 TIMES A WEEK/WEIGHT TRAINING 3 TIMES A WEEK

6. RESIST EMOTIONAL EATING

7. INCREASE DAILY WATER IN TAKE

8. CONSUME ALL MEALS BEFORE 8PM

9. CHART ALL FOOD AND FLUID INTAKE AND WORKOUTS IN A DAILY LOG

10. PRACTICING PATIENCE WITH MYSELF

Then I started to think... How I dare I blame any of my weight shortcomings on bad genes? I have so much to be thankful for due to the genes that were passed down to me. It's not always about changing what God gives you, but truly loving yourself in your own skin and if it needs improvement, IMPROVE IT. But until we as women make the conscious decision to do so and do it effectively we really have absolutely NO ONE TO BLAME but ourselves.

So I ask you to join me in this Amazing Journey, as I find the BetterME I hope that you may also find the BetterU. Together let's vow to give 110% in every effort to improve our health, our appearance, and restore the confidence that every women deserves to have.

Vow to exercise patience with ourselves realizing this is going to take time, and there IS NO QUICK FIX!! (I'm still learning this myself)

AND

To continue moving forward even on the days we may fall short, approaching everyday as new opportunity to have stronger will power and motivation to succeed than the day before.

All my life weight has been a struggle, but I am going in with a new attitude on life and a new attitude about myself. I am strong, determined, and fully capable of changing my life around for the better and I am excited to see just how much I can prove myself wrong... YES WEIGHTLOSS CAN HAPPEN TO ME TOO... Hello My Name is Dee!!

5 comments:

AmyJanuary 4, 2010 at 11:34 PM
Dee -- #6 and #8 are tough ones for me too. And I think you are right that so much of this is about changing our mindset. We can do this!
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AnonymousJanuary 5, 2010 at 1:23 PM
James here. I'm trying to get on #7 before I eat my meals. I read where it takes about 20 minutes for your brain to realize that you are full, but if you drink more water before you eat, it should then help register faster. I'll let you know how that goes.
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LarryJanuary 5, 2010 at 1:29 PM
Hey Boops, its your hubbs. I'm looking forward to #2 :). I'm going to be with you every step of the way. It always helps if you significant other is doing the same to help you succeed. I know you're going to do great! I love you!!
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Tiffiney (tankert)January 5, 2010 at 2:03 PM
Hey Dee (Vonage), it's your little sis here. I just want to let you know that I have always looked up to you. Even when we were younger and i thought you had the perfect body. It's hard to hear how you struggle with your weight, but i know the kind of person you are and i know you can acheive anything you set your mind to.. come on your a SORRELL or you were lol but i love you and i am so proud of you. You have inspired me to take a look at myself and truley examine my own health. I promise to be there for you every step of the way and follow your be a participant in your journey.. I love you and so proud!!!!
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Susan GillieJanuary 5, 2010 at 8:37 PM
Dee,
Something about your grit, determination and zest for life touches my heart.

I'm a friend of Ruth's. She can tell you I suffered a huge weight gain over the years, faced reality, did my homework and lost weight-long-term.

I'd love to share my wisdom and "secrets" with you, I think I can help. Ask Ruth for my phone # and we'll get together.
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Meet the BetterU Challengers

Julie B., 42, Marion – Julie was diagnosed with high blood pressure at age 14 even though she wasn’t overweight at the time. She has struggled with her weight for the last 15 years, has high cholesterol, arthritis and back problems. Her father had a heart attack 18 years ago, and Julie does not want to follow in his footsteps. She is pursuing a career in the medical field and wants to be a good example to others.

Laura, 55, Greenfield – Laura has a family history of heart disease and is looking to become a better role model for those she influences as a nursing instructor. Laura had quit smoking for 15 years, but resumed the habit about 1 ½ years ago. She would like to quit.

Molly, 35, Yorktown – Molly was a cheerleader in high school and was active in sports, but started struggling with her weight 15 years ago. She does part-time work for Ironman and doesn’t feel like the type of person who should represent that company. Molly has already started training for a 5k and is eager for the BetterU program to help her make changes for a healthier lifestyle.

Pamela, 42, Indianapolis – Pamela has struggled with weight her entire life. In April, she was put on high blood pressure medication. Already motivated to make changes, Pamela has lost 15 pounds while working with a wellness coach at work. BetterU can help her continue her journey.

Paula, 62, Greenwood – Paula recently retired after 40 years as a teacher. She was shocked when she needed aortic valve replacement in 2007, but it wasn’t enough of an impetus to cause her to stop smoking or adopt a healthier lifestyle. She loves to travel and wants to stop smoking and lose weight as part of a healthier lifestyle.

Renee, 63, Indianapolis – Renee’s mother passed away from a heart condition, and Renee has already had three stents implanted. She’s started taking care of herself, and is paying it forward by taking an 81-year-old friend to aerobics two days a week and to yoga once a week. Renee would like to get off some medications she is taking, and is looking for the professional guidance of the BetterU program to help her take the right path.

Ruthann, 58, Fishers – Ruthann suffered Sudden Cardiac Arrest “out of the blue” five years ago. She was in a coma for four days and in the hospital for 12, yet came out of the experience with no physical or mental disabilities. She had a pacemaker/defibrillator implanted and has since gained a lot of weight. She is looking for motivation to start and maintain a healthy lifestyle that can give her many more years.

Past BetterU Challengers

2011 BetterU Challengers
Natale, 28 – A staff R.N. who teaches patient families to take care of themselves, Natale knows it’s time to follow her own advice. Her hectic 12-hour days leave little time for herself. She’s ready for a change.
Carla, 37 – Carla doesn’t believe in dieting, but she has already made some positive changes to what she eats. Now she’s looking to keep up with her 70-year old father, who can climb the sand dunes in half the time it takes her.
Annette, 45 - Annette decided 2010 was her time to become a BetterU. She started exercising and eating right and lost 55 pounds. She wants to stay motivated and to inspire others.
Peggy, 57 – Peggy is obese and taking several medications. She lost her father and both maternal grandparents to heart attacks and knows this is her opportunity to change her fate.
2010 BetterU Challengers
Ruth Holladay - Ruth has a family history of heart disease. Her mother had a number of strokes and her father died of a heart attack at 46. A devoted grandmother, Ruth knows that now is the time to put herself first for a change. You can also find Ruth at RuthHolladay.com

Kimila Brown - Unhealthy lifestyles can sometimes be packaged in healthy looking packages, or so it would seem with Kimila. Although she’s not overweight, Kimila admits she no longer exercises. Once an avid bodybuilder and softball player, Kimila says she now barely remembers to eat. After several personal tragedies, she started smoking again – a habit she had quit for nine years. She spends all her time and energy working long hours as a teacher and working on a second master’s degree. She knows she is not healthy on the inside and doesn’t want to follow the same road many in her family have taken - her father died of heart disease and her grandparents both had strokes.

Dee Leonard - Heart disease and obesity runs in her family. She lost her grandmother to heart disease. Newly married, Dee knows she should be looking forward to a bright future. Instead, she worries about her future. Already overweight and never having been at a healthy BMI, she wonders what she will look like at 30 years old. Dee wants to learn to enjoy fitness and start making healthy meals for her family -- so that when she has children, she can bring them up in a healthy household.

Amy Magan – The mother of three, Amy wants to make sure she is around to see them grow up. She takes medications for her blood pressure and cholesterol. She feels this is the perfect time to change her life. She plans to attack the BetterU Challenge with humor and the support of her family who have vowed to be her personal cheerleaders. For more of Amy's efforts, check out The 4th Frog Blog.

Jessica Woodson – Jessica’s father died from a stroke. She said her family never even knew he had a heart problem. Overweight her entire life, Jessica knows she could be headed down the same path. She suffers from high blood pressure and her dosages of medication keep going up. She feels like there is so much she never accomplished because of her weight. She says she “wants to be able to cross my legs for a change” and doesn’t want to be the “girl with the cute face” anymore. For once in her life, she wants to know what it feels like to be healthy.

Indianapolis Go Red BetterU Challenge

Monday, January 4, 2010

Trying to Get It Right For the 100,000 Time!!

5 comments:

2012 BetterU Challengers

Meet the BetterU Challengers

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Indianapolis Go Red BetterU Challenge

Monday, January 4, 2010

Trying to Get It Right For the 100,000 Time!!

5 comments:

2012 BetterU Challengers

Meet the BetterU Challengers

Past BetterU Challengers

BetterU Experts

Go Red For Women Resources

Blog Archive

Media Coverage

Subscribe To Go Red BetterU Challenge

Followers

Indianapolis Go Red BetterU Challenge Sponsors