Introduction

I have struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember.

At 13 I weighed almost 200 pounds. The summer after grade 9 (14-years-old) I starved myself and lost more than 50 pounds in a few short months. Miraculously, I didn't end up in the hospital. I finally saw a doctor and nutritionst when I was 15 and managed to lose a few more pounds over several months, in a much healthier manner; a nutritious diet and exercise.

At 16, I met my husband and quickly fell in love! As usually happens with relationships, I became "comfortable" and gradually gained back 10 pounds or so. At 17, I went away for a summer course in Quebec and lost it all and more, again with the starvation technique. When I came home, I was the skinniest I can remember being, probably weighing about 130 pounds.

Over the next few years, I gained a whopping 70 pounds +. All I know is that when my husband proposed (I was 20), I weighed more than 200 pounds again. Between our engagement (June 2003) and wedding (September 2005) I went on a series of "fad" diets. I even tried the soup diet! (I made my friends and family vow to slap me if I ever consider that again!) I'd lose 10 pounds, then gain them back (and more) over and over again. The most success I had was from September 2004 to Christmas 2004 when I lost about 30 pounds and was down to a reasonable 175. Unfortunately, I gained about 15 back before our wedding. The wedding came and went and by January 2006, I weighed 200 pounds again. I joined a gym with my Mom and took on a healthy eating regimen based on the Podleski sisters' books Looney Spoons, Crazy Plates and Eat, Shrink & Be Merry. I have slacked off in the nutrition department in recent months, but I have consistently gone to the gym 3-5 days a week since January and have lost about 20 pounds. I am currently hovering a little over 180 and have been for a couple months.

What else can I tell you about myself? I am now 24, married but no children (yet). I'm about 5'8" and like I said, hovering just over 180 pounds. I am not happy with my weight and I really feel like I need to try something new. Inspired by some friends from the Weddingbells Health message boards, I borrowed the South Beach Diet books and read them (almost) cover-to-cover. I think this might work for me.

Why have I decided to keep a 'blog of my experience? Mostly because I think it will keep me accountable and therefore motivated to stick to it. Plus, I've always wanted to start a 'blog and never had a good enough reason. :) From time to time, I'll probably share non-SBD tidbits from my life. I'd like to think there is more to my life than this Diet!

Well, here goes nothing! I start next Thursday, November 16th so stay tuned!