Stolen from my Weight Watchers contest submission…
Like most overweight people, I’ve been heavy my entire teenage and adult life. I wish I could blame it on stubborn baby weight, or an injury, but the fact was I’d always been the “fat girl” and could only blame my lack of control. Oh, and that I’d much rather sit and watch TV than exercise.
Every day I thought, this is the day I will start my diet. And every day I thought, well, I might as well wait until Monday. And every Monday I thought, the first of the month is coming up, so I’ll start then, for real this time. It was a vicious cycle that was finally put to an end with Weight Watchers in May 2011.
Some way, somehow, I dug deep and changed my life for the better. I sweated, cried, and nearly rebelled for the first few weeks, but soon this lifestyle of exercising and eating right stuck, and I realized that this is how life should be for EVERYONE, not just those trying to lose weight. I was actually excited to find new healthy recipes or workouts to try, and learning the science behind how the body works. WHO AM I?!
So far I have lost 120 pounds; I’m not finished yet, but I constantly have my eye on the prize. Over the last 16 months I’ve not only gotten healthier, I’ve gained long lasting friendships with fellow “weight watchers,” pride in what I’ve accomplished so far, and an out-of-control shopping habit buying clothes in single-digit sizes I’d never in a million years thought I’d be able to wear.
Other than getting fit, my favorite thing about this journey is inspiring others to do the same. Whether on social networking sites, or random strangers in my office building, nearly every day someone tells me that I’ve inspired them to begin a healthy lifestyle, or to not quit on theirs even when their goal seems out of reach. In fact, one of my coworkers took a cue from me and lost 25 pounds himself!
The Weight Watchers way solidified for me during a recent family party. I was eating a small plate of rice and steak tacos when my dad asked, “You can eat that on your program?” I replied, “I can eat anything I want…in moderation.” He replied, “Wow, whoever invented that program must be a millionaire.”
I know it’s oxymoronic to say that I hate talking about myself on a blog that’s all about myself, but I do. This page has been neglected for a reason. What is there to know really? I guess I’ll make a list of some things you might be curious about:
- My name is Mae.
- I’m a 31-year-old single female.
- I am 5’0″.
- Perpetually sunny Los Angeles is my home.
- I have a fabulous support system made up of family, close friends, and coworkers.
- I work at a corporate office in the children’s fitness industry as a Professional Geek.
- I am a hardcore Laker/Dodger fan.
- When I can find the time, I read. Mostly fantasy/sci-fi/thriller novels.
- My favorite TV shows are Arrested Development (comedy) and The Wire (drama).
- I have a debilitating fear of dirty bathtubs.
Wanna tell me something cool?
Email me: mae [at] reducedfatgirl.com
Tweet me: @reducedfatgirl.com
