I've been over weight my entire life since early childhood. I don't ever remember a day when I was "skinny". My brother and sister were bean poles growing up and still are. I was the unlucky one. I was tipping the scales by the time I graduated high school close to 300 pounds. (5'9").

When I went to college my weight dropped a bit because my diet changed and being away from the large meals and junk food at my parents house helped. I transferred and went to a college in a ...

I've been over weight my entire life since early childhood. I don't ever remember a day when I was "skinny". My brother and sister were bean poles growing up and still are. I was the unlucky one. I was tipping the scales by the time I graduated high school close to 300 pounds. (5'9").

When I went to college my weight dropped a bit because my diet changed and being away from the large meals and junk food at my parents house helped. I transferred and went to a college in a large city and didn't have a car. So all that walking to get here and there brought my weight down even more. I think my smallest in college was 225.

Unfortunately, after I graduated I couldn't stay in that environment of constant walking and moved back into my parents house (in a suburb) to find a job and help get my feet back on the ground. I didn't even realize what I did to cause this, but in two years my weight jumped back up to 275lbs. None of my old "cool" jeans fit, and neither did my favorite shirt. I started buying knits that I could stretch out. I even said (out loud to a friend) at one point that I could never be skinny, I didn't think it was possible so I would just have to learn to be happy how I was. Looking back I have no Idea why I was so self-defeating with out even trying, but I'm realizing now that negativity was just a very large part of my life and I hope to almost eliminate those feelings bit by bit.

I visited my doctor in April 2008 and shared my concerns about my weight and also my concerns for the future. If I didn't lose weight now what was going to happen to me? Would I always be like this? I was constantly reading articles about future health risks to myself if I remained the way I was. We'd talked about my weight and diet for years but that year she told me about sparkpeople and it's made a huge difference! After browsing through the site, I finally had found the guidance I needed to set me on the right track.

So how does soccer play into this.... I did not grow up playing soccer. I grew up in the city and went to catholic schools with out teams (or fields to play on just parking lots). My first real experience with soccer was watching the women's world cup in 1999. I remember jumping up screaming at the tv screen. The sport was exciting, It motivated me and I wanted to play! In 2000 away at college meeting new people I started on an intramural team unfortunately I was the only one who took it seriously. I took a break for several years as I transferred schools and moved around....Until the world cup in 06. Watching those games made me want to get out there and play again! The next summer I joined a women's league (despite my weight -- but looking back it was another small step towards success) and have been playing ever since.

(old text...I'm almost at the finish line now)
So I'm still in the middle of this crazy journey but I feel like I've made many steps to far. I feel better, healthier. I still doubt myself sometimes, but I will only look forward from now on. I won't ever revert back to how I used to be. My first goal was to lose 85 pounds and see how I look at that point and decide if I need more work. I've decided now after 62lbs of loss I can shoot for 100lbs total. Wish me luck! I also want to live a healthier, natural and more active lifestyle. (i'm shooting for 110lbs now)



p.s. I fit in my "cool" college jeans (which are too ratty to wear in public now anyway) and favorite shirt again!

update summer 08 - down 25 lbs.

update sept 08 - down 35lbs.

update Nov 08 - I was able to buy a size 14 coat and size 16W pants for the first time ever.

update Jan 09 - I've officially lost over 50lbs. I am 4 pounds smaller than my dr. has ever recorded me weighing.

Here's to Hope and (more) Change in 2009!

Update March 09 - Almost at my one year spark anniversary! Down 62lbs! I can shop for pants at the gap now!

Update July 09 - 70lbs of loss!!!!

Update April 2011 - 100LBS OF LOSS!!!

Update Oct 2011 - PR in the Baltimore half 2:22;11

Update Feb 2012 - 105lb of Loss and STILL WORKING for that flat stomach.

Update June 2012 - PR in the San Diego Half 2:15:22

Update March 2013 - The scale is up a little but I'm way more toned then I was a year ago. (It's not all about the number on the scale) I credit this to starting Boxing about 6 months ago. BEST WORK OUT EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!

Read More About SOCCERFAN82 (Updated March 1)

Member Comments Page (36 total):  123Next >Last >>