The "Diet"

I've always been athletic since I was a kid. Biking, swimming, running and volleyball kept me active my whole childhood and even into my twenties playing college volleyball. You are able to eat whatever you want and not have to worry about gaining a pound due to your 3+ hours of practice everyday. Then the clocks turn, time passes and you find yourself at 25 years old, not able to fit in those same short shorts as you once were able. 

I've probably been on 20 different so called diets. No carbs, no sugar, no alcohol. You name it, I have done it. Some have worked better than others and there was always time for me to quit and say, " I'll just start it next week." Well, approaching my 26th birthday has made my wheels in my head start turning. As an adult, I have faced the truth twists and turns of life, bills and most of all enduring stress. I found myself questioning things and trying to control the impossible. I work hard and pay my bills and some months can be more tolerable than others. What I have found is that one thing I really can control is my diet. Eating out when driving home from work and rushing out of the house and just grabbing whatever was going to fill me up just isn't cutting it anymore. 

With that said, I decided it was time to control this aspect of my life. Too many times I have turned to food as a comfort from the daily stresses and was beginning to feel it in my everyday livelihood. My jeans were too tight in the hips, the buttons in my tops of my blouses were busting open and I found myself not liking anything I was wearing. So, it was time to make a change. 

I decided to remove all fast food out of my lifestyle and no longer just grabbing a bite to eat in the moment. I made it a point to map out my meals, track them using the app MyFitnessPal and keeping track of my calories, water intake and daily movements. Limiting my calorie intake to just over 1700 calories daily has allowed me to be mindful and selective in my choices. It has been 6 days and I have lost 8 pounds. I have slept better, my skin has more color to it and not so many pronounced blemishes. I have not noticed any significant differences in my fit in clothing yet but will keep track and keep you updated. 

With this post, I just wanted to allow everyone to know that you aren't alone out their in your endeavor of getting healthy. Whether it is to feel better, lose weight or to even accomplish something, this is no small wall to overcome. I encourage those who keep putting it off, those who may be afraid of failure. Your first step is to begin. It took me awhile as well and it will take even longer to accomplish my goal. Stick to your guns. It will be worth it. 

Xoxo, 

Jessie Leigh