This is me!

I guess since we are over two weeks into the challenge, I should give a little background on myself. My name is Julie, and I am 42, overweight, with high blood pressure & cholesterol. I have had high blood pressure since the age of 14. It was diagnosed when I went in for a physical for basketball. I wasn't overweight at the time, but both of my parents of high blood pressure so it was determined to be more of a hereditary issue. I've had high cholesterol for about a year. I was in denial when the test came back, and I actually had my Doctor run it again, but after 9 weeks of watching my food intake and exercise, it was still high.

Fast forward to age 28. I was still in great shape at that point. But on Labor Day weekend, I was hit by a drunk driver. (Let me just say, seat belts save lives, I am living proof!) Up to that point, I hit the gym at least 3-4 times a week, did aerobics, and I would jog quite a bit and was very active. Then, after the car accident, I couldn't even brush my teeth without assistance, let alone go to the gym or run. Talk about a humbling experience! I would have sold my soul to the devil to make the pain go away or to go back in time and not have been on the road that day. Even saying that, I am one of the lucky ones. I wasn't paralyzed nor did I end up six feet under. I went through over 2 years of physical therapy. I'm fortunate to have recovered to the physical state that I am in today. I tried everything, acupuncture, yoga, steroids, spinal injections, different concoctions of cure all juices! (Yes, I said "cure all juice", I was that desperate.) In July of 2010 I finally had back surgery, and the pain is so much better than it was. However, during that 13 plus years of inactivity from an injured back and poor food choices, I packed on a hefty 100 pounds. I cringe when I verbalize that....100 POUNDS!

Today, I choose to take control of my life and health back! You have to play the hand you've been dealt, no matter how unfair that hand seems. I can't change what happened to me, but I certainly have control of the choices I make today for my health. I would be lying if I said I just want to be healthy. I mean I want to be healthy, but lets keep this real...I want to look good too, and I mean real good! I want to find those long lost abs, lean and muscular body that once was.

That's me in a nutshell! I am embracing this Go Red BetterU Challenge. It's truly a blessing!

Love your ♥,
Julie