Thursday, August 21, 2008

Introduction: Laura

My name is Laura, and as a Fitness magazine article told me a few months ago, I’m what is called “skinny fat”. Check out the Urban Dictionary – basically, while I’ve got a perfectly acceptable BMI, my fitness is so terrible that I’m much worse off than an active person who can spare to lose a few pounds.

It didn’t used to be this way. About two years ago, I was in the best shape of my life thanks to cycling and training for a century ride with the Team in Training program. I was so fit that I could eat anything I wanted and not gain an ounce. In fact, to keep myself from losing too much weight, after every long ride, I would eat a supersized value meal from McDonalds to up my calorie count.

Where did it all go wrong, you ask? Well, I injured both of my Achilles tendons on that century ride. They were both severely strained and I couldn’t get in a strenuous work out for months. Even to this day, I have a lot of trouble with both of my feet when I exercise. Couple my lack of exercise with continuing to eat like I’m training for a major endurance event and Voila! You have me, 10 pounds up from my pre-century ride training weight, buying my wedding dress a size up, and wondering why my thighs don’t fit into my jeans like they used to.

What am I going to change? I’m going to get moving at least 3 times per week, and I’m going up my fruits and veggies while lowering the number of times I eat out. I’m terrible at journaling and calorie counting. It depresses me, so I just try to put more good stuff in and cut more bad stuff out.

Goal weight loss – 10 pounds before my wedding on Oct. 4

But, more importantly, it’s time to get fit. Just say no to skinny fat.

2 comments:

Amy in Ohio said...

I'm really rooting for you - I hope your wedding day is everything you want it to be and that all starts with feeling your best!

Mel said...

Don't let the wedding dress get you down! Everyone has to buy those things a size bigger, esp. if you're girls like us with hips. I had to have the top of mine taken in more than a full size just to get one that fit over my hips, and that was with my wedding-goal weight loss.
Don't be defeated by the size number! :)
(Oh, and I'll see you very soon!!)