Weight Loss in 2011

January 6, 2011 marked the beginning of a monumental era for me. This era was the end result of taking 12 hours of graduate courses a semester for 2 1/2 years, completing a 225 page dissertation, and ultimately finishing my PhD on December 10, 2010. These events led me to this point- the point of having to lose 50+ pounds to get down to my pre-PhD weight of 138 pounds.

Prior to starting my PhD program, I always worked out and took pride in looking great and being shapely! Little did I know that my quest of acquiring a PhD would challenge me in ways I never thought imaginable, and would strip me of my desire to work out 3 - 5 times a week. There were times when my coursework was so overwhelming that I barely got 2 hours of sleep a night in any given semester. My sleep deprivation resulted in a lack of energy and no desire to work out. This went on for 2 years, and during those 3 years, I relied on Jolly Ranchers and Now & Laters to help keep me up so I could read articles and dissertations, complete my homework, and analyze data. This resulted in me gaining a few pounds here, a few pounds there, and eventually tipping the scale at a whopping 190+ pounds. I had never weighed that much. I didn't weigh that much when I was 9 months pregnant with my son so my new curvaceous figure was difficult to embrace. During semesters when stress levels were down, I would get back into a consistent workout routine and would lose 10, 15, pounds with ease, but once the next semester started, and the stress levels were up, I gained them back.

Unlike some individuals who struggle with their weight, I didn't let my weight gain consume me because I knew I would get it off eventually. And since I never considered myself fat, my self-esteem was only impacted during those periods of my PhD that were most demanding and stressful. Knowing I needed to work out and lose weight, I would put it off semester after semester because I knew the demands of my program would prevent me from winning the weight loss battle completely. I finally decided that I would maintain a weight below 190, and upon graduating, I would spend the next 6 months losing those dreaded PhD pounds.

I vividly remember praying to God after I had graduated and after seeing pictures of me at my graduation celebration, and pleading with him to help me on this journey because I didn't think it would be as easy for me as losing weight had always been in the past. His answer to my prayer came in the form of a phone call from Brent Ledet, creative services director at WAFB. Brent informed me that I was one of the 100 finalists for WAFB's Shape Up Showdown, and needed to come in for an interview. At the end of the conversation, I informed Brent that I was claiming 1 of the 9 spots in the mighty name of Jesus and that I needed exactly what the Shape Up Showdown had to offer- someone to motivate me (the person who usually motivated everyone else to eat healthy and work out) to lose weight.

As of December 31, 2010, I am currently at 188 pounds and I hate the place that I am at weight-wise. It is divine intervention that God has granted me with an opportunity of a lifetime- a 6 month membership at BREC with a personal trainer, and access to a nutritionist and doctor. I would be remiss if I did not give God all the glory for utilizing Brent and WAFB as vessels to assist me in accomplishing my weight loss goal. In return for his favor, it is my desire to blog about my journey with the hopes that it will help others who feel like they have lost or are losing the weight loss battle. So, whether you have 5 pounds or 100 pounds to lose, I hope that my journey will be of inspiration to you! I pray that it will help you conquer the internal battle with your personal weight loss demon.

Happy Weightloss in 2011!

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