The Challenge

Recently someone said that they feel like they need a disclaimer when they meet people: "This isn't what I really look like." That's me. Except it is what I look like.

I can easily count the number of months that I have been a "normal" weight, starting from a very young age. In total, it is less than 2 years of my life. Once was when I was a freshman in high school, the other a freshman in college.

When I lost the weight before college I asked my mom how people allowed themselves to get fat. Even though I was overweight in high school, it was only by 25ish pounds. I wondered if there was some point at which you look at yourself and think, "I can't get any fatter." That point came and went for me about 45 pounds ago. I got married as a chubby girl. I got pregnant as a chubby girl. But I don't want to live as that girl. I don't want a disclaimer. I want people to look at me and not immediately see a fat woman.

This is my challenge, and I invite you to join me. This isn't a journey where I will show up at the end a size two. The chances of that happening are about as great as democrats and republicans coming together to create real health care that actually prevents the spread of obesity. But it is my goal to be fit, look healthy, and start living, away from the constant mindset of today is the day to lose the weight.