Pensacola

Member Since November 2007

My Story
My name is Amy Lee and I am 35 years old. A year and a half ago I started going to Curves in South Florida. I enjoyed it, but without changing the way I ate, I didnt see much change. Six months later we moved to Pensacola, Florida where I found another great Curves location to resume my membership. I even upgraded to the smart card, but my heart still wasnt in it. I had great excuses: I was trying to get settled after our move and I had too much to do with the kids. Actually, I was just too lazy to go. It was hard work with little results.
Then on New Years Day I was talking with a friend. I suggested that we go on another diet and maybe this time we would do better. However, by the end of the day I had talked both of us out of it because I knew it would just be too hard and I loved food too much. Oddly, the next day I woke up determined to give it a shot. I thought, Ill try for two weeks to go to Curves three times a week and watch what I am eating. I intended to eliminate carbohydrates from my diet for those two weeks to see if it would help. I have been overweight since I was seven and have never been successful at losing weight. This time was different though. It was as if someone had flipped a switch in my brain.
The first difference was that I told people what I was trying to do and asked them to please pray for me. Pray that one, I would stick to this for two weeks; two, that I would go to Curves and work my hardest; three, that I would get on the scale and see what I weighed, and fourth, that God would make a change in me. Guess what: It worked!!! God answered all those prayers! The first thing I did was get on the scale. I was shocked. I knew I weighed in the 200s, but surely not over 250. I weighed 278 pounds. I was so disappointed and disgusted with myself. How could I let myself get to this point? Why couldnt I see how big I was? No wonder I no longer wanted to play with the kids, I was carrying too much weight.
The second difference this time around was my food cravings just seemed to diminish. Me, who was always hungry and never seemed to get enough food, wasn't hungry. Not only that, but foods I had never liked tasted good to me. I couldnt believe that I enjoyed radishes, celery, green onions, peppers and asparagus! After just two weeks, I even felt better and had more energy. My husband, mom, and four children had cheered me on during the two weeks and told me I could do it. Now after two weeks, it was time to get on the scale, which really scared me. What if the diet and exercise hadnt worked? What if I hadnt lost anything? The time had come to find out. I lost 17 pounds in those two weeks!! I couldnt believe it.
In the months following those initial two weeks, I slowly added some carbohydrates back into my diet. I now have two whole grain carbohydrates and two or three fruits a day. I also eat a lot of vegetables and lean meats, and I dont drink any type of sugared drink. I also added more exercise to my regimen using a two mile walking video and light weights at home.
I also went to the doctor and had a physical done. I knew I had high cholesterol and high blood pressure, but I just ignored these problems. The doctor was so impressed with my blood test results because all my numbers were within normal limits. He said that whatever I was doing to keep it up and dont quit. Now I can play all sorts of games with my kids, ride bikes, and do a few push-ups, which I never thought I would do. Ive even started training to walk in a half marathon!
Today, I weigh 203 pounds. I have lost 75 pounds, over 49 inches and more than 44 pounds of body fat. I have another 75 pounds to lose, but I know I will make it. My biggest revelation during this time has been accepting the fact that I am addicted to food. This has been very hard to admit to myself and others. If I eat one spoonful of ice cream, I will end up eating a big bowl of ice cream. I cannot control the food I love. It is the same as an addiction to alcohol or drugs. I am so thankful for all the people who have prayed for and encouraged me, and most of all to God who has given me the strength every day to keep working and not stop.

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