I think stress plays a big part in the weight I've gained over the years. I looked my personal best when I graduated high school at 170 lbs. Since then, there have been three major changes that have really contributed to creating the "extra person" stuck to my body:

1. A Previous Serious Relationship: My ex-boyfriend was a fast food junkie, which meant that for nearly 5 years, so was I.

2. School/ Work: Since starting college, I never took less than 45 hours/week of ...

I think stress plays a big part in the weight I've gained over the years. I looked my personal best when I graduated high school at 170 lbs. Since then, there have been three major changes that have really contributed to creating the "extra person" stuck to my body:

1. A Previous Serious Relationship: My ex-boyfriend was a fast food junkie, which meant that for nearly 5 years, so was I.

2. School/ Work: Since starting college, I never took less than 45 hours/week of class (this, of course, did not include homework time). Combining that with no less than 30 hours/week of work means that I was quite often looking for the most convenient thing to eat whenever I got the chance. I started practicing what I call "preventative eating." I would eat a big meal in the morning before school, snack during classes to ward off hunger, then eat another big meal hoping it would tide me over during my work shift. Then I would get home around ten at night and eat another medium-sized fast food meal so I wouldn't have to worry about waking up hungry. I'm a lot better about that now that I'm not so crunched for time. No more preventative eating led to waiting too long to eat. Also not good. I need to work on finding a better balance. My new teaching job allows me 15-30 minute breaks in between each teaching session (during which I often have a little snack to get me through without binging on a big meal after class is over)

3. Moving Out on My Own: I moved south during my sophomore year of college to prepare for college transfer into a state university and to be closer to my boyfriend. The freedom felt great. I could eat whatever whenever and no one could say a word about it. Unfortunately, I took that freedom too far and became a closet eater. I would steal one extra cookie from the plate or slip in a stop at a hamburger joint between work and school. Moving also meant that I didn't have someone watching me or keeping me active. If I didn't want to do anything when I got home, I didn't have to. And trust me- school and work left me plenty worn out. No working out for me.

Things have to change.

I want to be healthy for myself and my family. I want to look good someday when I get married and be ready when it comes time for child-bearing. I have also started teaching and I want the students to be able to respect me and take me seriously.


Things I Am Willing to Give Up:
-Regular Soda
-Mayonnaise
-Having Dessert most nights
-Restaurant Portions

Things I Am NOT Willing to Give Up (but will limit):
-French Fries
-Diet Soda
-Hot Dogs
-Pasta (plan to use whole-wheat)
-Bread
-Desserts sometimes
-Cheese (I'll try to go for lesser fat)

Things I Am Going to Try to Consume More Of:
-Yogurt
-Berries (gotta get those antioxidants)
-Breakfast (especially low-sugar, high-fiber cereal)
-Calcium-enriched products
-Frozen Fresh Fish
-Tea
-High-Fiber Snacks (to keep me full)

I also plan to eat more often in smaller amounts (Breakfast, Snack, Lunch, 2 Snacks, Dinner, Dessert) and get in more exercise (especially since I'm not doing a whole lot of moving at work).

Read More About BAKERS_JOY (Updated February 27)

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