the truth really does set you free

This afternoon I received a note from a friend who also struggles with weight and the frustration, depression and defeat that goes along with this. I wanted to share my response on here because I think a lot of us can relate to these feelings.

I totally relate to the frustrating cycle of defeat and depression. I've totally been there and it wasn't until I posted my blog yesterday that I felt an amazing release of freedom that I have never experienced before. For the first time I feel like I'm going into a "diet" (although I'm trying not to think of it as diet and more so a lifestyle change) with confidence instead of defeat. I am excited and motivated. I went back and forth about doing it. I did NOT want to reveal to the world my weaknesses and biggest embarrassment but I knew this might be the only thing that actually worked for me to stay motivated and be held accountable. I cannot tell you how much freedom it is to just be honest. Honest with others but maybe more importantly honest with myself. There is something about writing it down and then posting it for all to see (or maybe just telling someone else) that is so powerful.

This morning I went to church...a new church I had never been to before...and where I knew no one (except for Michael who was with me of course). This kind of thing (gatherings of any sort really) is usually miserable for me. I stress about what to wear, about meeting new people and their impressions of me and my body. I constantly fidget and feel uncomfortable. I try my best to hide. But this morning I woke up with a new confidence. I don't have to hide anymore because I've been honest. The truth really does set you free.

I know for sure I will have days where I feel frustrated and want to quit. I'm not saying this won't be a hard journey. It is. But there is a freedom and confidence present because I have a support group. Maybe that's the key to this whole thing...community. So I encourage any of you who are wanting to make this lifestyle change to do the same. Find a community, not just one or two people, but a community. Be honest. Write it down. Maybe a blog is for you, maybe it isn't. If you are back and forth about a blog...just take the first step. Create it, write out what you want to include, your goals, etc. and then sit with it a little while. You never know maybe you'll decide to publish it. If not, you'll at least have written some stuff down.

Soccer, So You Think You Can Dance, & Alicia Silverstone

Let me start off by saying...THANK YOU. Thank you so much to all of you have encouraged me already! Posting this blog is one of the hardest things I've done....but so freeing as well. Thank you for helping me take these steps to a freer life!

While running errands yesterday I found a few treasures to help me along my way. First we stopped by the library. The library is a great resource that a lot of us rarely take advantage of. Come on people - FREE books & FREE movies! It's amazing. Well, I wanted to find a couple books on healthy cooking and nutrition. My first find was a cookbook focusing on fruits and veggies. Love this because I never know what to do with them. I rarely crave veggies and I when I do have them I get tired of having the same ones over and over. My go tos are usually broccoli and okra. So, I'm excited to see what this cookbook has to offer and will hopefully start introducing more (and a variety of) veggies & fruits to my diet. My second find was Alicia Silverstone's book - The Kind Diet. Now, she is pretty intense when it comes to nutrition. She's a vegan...so no meat, no dairy. However, she has a lot of great advice on living a healthier life - from body scrubs to recipes. I'd like to have at least one day (maybe 2) a week without meat (may even try vegan) so this will be a great resource. Next, I found 2 dvds that I'm really excited about - So You Think You Can Dance - Get Fit (Cardio Funk and Tone & Groove). I LOVE this show and I actually really enjoy dancing (by myself of course). My hope is to try a bunch of different exercises & activities. I get bored and burnt out on the same routine. My plan is to mix it up a lot. Sometimes I'll be on the elyptical machine, sometimes dancing, sometimes playing soccer in the backyard.

Which brings me to the next find. After the library we headed to Academy Sports. I wanted to just get inspired and maybe find some fun things for me and Michael to do together. So we picked up a soccer ball and cones for less than $10. We headed home...set it up in

the backyard and played a game! It was so much fun and we were exhausted about 5 minutes into it. What a workout! And he definitely kicked my hiney - 7 to 3. But this has sparked my competitive nature so I plan on doing some practicing on my own Monday while he's at work! :)

welcome to my blog

Hi! My name is Meredith and I'm 27 years old. I've created this blog to share my journey to better health. For most of my grown up life I have been fairly unhappy with my body. If there is any point when I was semi satisfied with my physique it was when I got married in 2006. I was confident in a strapless dress and didn't think twice about being in front of a crowd. I wasn't perfect but I was content. Since then I've gained about 70 lbs and make a habit out of hiding. Wow, that was really hard to write. It's embarrassing and discouraging. I'm not exactly sure what happened. I suppose I just stopped caring what I was putting in my body and I've never been great at exercising. And I may have picked up a few bad habits of my slender, can eat anything and not gain a pound husband. (Love you hunny!) Well, 4 years have passed and I'm very happily married but physically miserable. I'm tired of hiding, sitting on my butt, and throwing pity parties. I've decided the only way I'm going to get my rear in gear is if I have the accountability (& hopefully encouragement) of the world wide web. So here I am. Follow me as I eat less, eat healthier, and MOVE more.