In The Beginning…
I had struggled with my weight off and on over the years – mostly on. I am a 33 year old stay at home mom to 3 girls. I had my first daughter Alayna when I was 20 years old. At the time I was a Single mom and working 2, sometime 3 jobs to make ends meet – working all hours day and night. I found that I was eating whatever and at all hours of the day – mostly garbage. I had no real concept for healthy eating or that what I was putting into my body was really harming me.
Time For Change…
2008 I decided that I had enough of being overweight and unhealthy. I needed to get fit and healthy for myself and my daughter. I weighed in at 165lbs. [I am only 5’3 1/3] so I probably looked bigger than that. I was working full time at a great job, an educational travel agency that offered a gym membership at a great price. I only had to pay $18 every two weeks as long as I went 8 times in 1 month. I committed immediately. What a great opportunity and I could not wait to get fit! I went 5 days a week every work day for my lunch break – we were allotted an hour and half if we went to the gym. In two months I went down to 135lbs. I lost 30lbs! I was eating healthy and felt great after each workout. I was doing great….
Life Doesn’t Always Go To Plan…
Then that August [right after my birthday I might add] I was let go from my job. No warning. No back up plan. It was just me taking care of my daughter, I had nothing to fall back on. I didn’t know what to do. I got behind in all my bills. I had to drop out of school – I was taking night classes to become a nurse. A couple months went by and I finally found a job. Unfortunately because I had little control of what I ate – I ate at friends houses and my moms. I started seeing Jeffery that November, and he brought the light back into my life. I still was not eating healthy though. Then that December the 15th I was evicted. Just 10 days before Christmas, I was devastated, my life was falling apart.
A New Phase Of Life…
Jeffery was staying at my brothers house and I would stay there too sometimes, and at my moms. Jeffery and I became close friends as well as boyfriend/ girlfriend. That January we moved in together, what a relief! Valentine’s Day February 14th 2009 he proposed to me and I said yes 
Not long later, March I became pregnant with my 2nd daughter Caroline. I had already gained about 30lbs [all that I had lost]. And I thought being pregnant I couldn’t really watch what I eat – silly me, I didn’t know any better. I was then diagnosed with gestational diabetes [after gaining 20lbs within the first 5 months of pregnancy] so I had to watch my carbs and sugars and eat healthier.
I did great the 2nd half of the pregnancy but by the time I had her I had gained up to 200lbs. After having her [November 11th, 2009] Jeffery and I got married March 10, 2010. That May I was pregnant again with our 3rd daughter Sydney. Just 6 months after having Caroline. I had only lost about 10lbs in between the 2 pregnancies my body really was not fully recuperated before getting pregnant again. But thankfully Sydney was healthy too – I also had gestational diabetes with her but I was more careful with her and I only put on about 25lbs, but still my weight climbed to about 225lbs.
Back On Track Again…
I had Sydney February 18, 2011, the week after having her I went on Atkins
With low carb eating I feel wonderful. Some days I have more energy than others, but that comes with parenthood I believe. I am so thankful for everything I have gone through and I appreciate how blessed I am now. I am not currently in school but I love being a stay at home mom. I have a wonderful husband who supports me in everything I do and who cooks me healthy delicious meals
Words Of Wisdom…
Even when I gained all the weight back, I do not regret it because I appreciate the journey and the learning experience. I know now that being healthy requires living healthy. Its a lifestyle plan. Not something you do until you get there but something you do for life to give you the best life possible. Our food is our fuel. Our bodies are our temples and should be treated like it not like garbage pails or old honkey tonk bars. I’d much rather be healthy than skinny, and I am on my way
Thank you Audrey for sharing your wonderful story and how true your words of wisdom are!Being healthy does require us to shift our mindset and live healthily.
We all need to aim to live the most healthy, vibrant and best possible life we can, just because we want and deserve to feel wonderful every day!
P.S. Please share this story to help spread the motivation and be sure to check in to read next weeks transformation
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