body for life (1/4)

Five years ago, I went through a breakup. Pounds piled on from emotional eating. A year later. Four years ago, I added 11 percent (6 kg or 13.2 pounds) of ideal body weight from working 13-hour days. Not eating during the day (too busy). Going home and stuffing myself before passing out.  Spending too much time on screen and not on myself. A vicious cycle.

I knew I was gaining weight, but the seriousness didn’t hit me until 3 years ago, and around this time. My knees hurt. I wasn’t happy with myself. I couldn’t see how big I had become until I saw myself in a friend’s photograph. My face a big ball with sausage arms and legs. I didn’t recognize myself. I couldn’t believe my eyes. The image of myself didn’t coincide with what I saw on the screen.

I couldn’t wear dresses or skirts because they rode up too high. Half of my clothes didn’t fit and I had to decide: Buy new wardrobe or lose weight. I chose the latter because I didn’t have the time nor the money. And I wanted feel good about myself.

I decided to change three things:

  1. Not eating three times a day (not feeding my body) – Feed regularly
  2. Eating too much – Portion control (starvation to survival mode)
  3. Not exercising (sedentary lifestyle) – Move

I went through three phases.