A Long Time Coming

So, this is my first blog ever, and I'm not sure what to say. I guess I should let you know who I am and why I'm blogging...

My name is Rachel. I am 37 years old and I am EXTREMELY overweight, and I have been ever since I can remember. (I'm sure I am obese, but I don't like that word. So I chose to use overweight. It sounds friendlier.) My mother has a picture of me when I was about 6 or so and I was overweight even then. I have never "felt" overweight, though. I mean, I have felt the effects of obesity (cringe at the word) but I haven't felt like you would think someone feels who is overweight. I have always felt bouncy and energetic. I have felt like I was full of life, not full of fat. I see pictures of me and I say, "There is no way that is me... I don't feel like I look." But nonetheless, it is me that I am looking at and the time has come to change me into the me I feel inside. The bouncy, breezy, flirty, happy-go-lucky me.

I have been watching what I eat and going to the YMCA daily for about two weeks now. I have my friend Sean to thank for the inspiration to begin my journey. I will tell you all about him very soon. He is on a fantastic journey with incredible results so far. And so many more ahead of him. But for now, let's talk about me. At first I had a hard time keeping my heart rate where I wanted it while on the treadmill. Now, only two weeks later, it is often hard to get my heart rate up enough to reach my "fat burning" rate. That's a great improvement... and in such a short amount of time. Also, my blood pressure has gone down considerably. My best friend Melissa joins me at the Y daily. She is and I'm sure will continue to be a great support for me. I feel blessed to have her on my side.

So that's it for now. I hope to learn alot about myself and my habits as I become the person I feel like I should be. This will be a long journey, but I have put me on the back burner for far too long and it's time to stand up and take responsibility for the body I have created. It's time to become the person I have always felt like I was inside. It's time to take the longest journey... a journey to me.

Thank you for reading,
Rachel