Weight Loss Journey... Take 2

For those of you who followed my previous blog, you probably read about my weight loss journey. Since it's been about a year since I've posted to my blog, I'll go ahead and start all over. 

I have always been a bigger girl. I started gaining weight in the first grade and instead of dropping the baby fat like most people do, it stayed. I wouldn't say that I had an unhealthy lifestyle as a child as far as food goes, but I wasn't very physically active. I was the type of child who would rather stay in the house and paint. 

Fast forward to my junior year in high school. I started working at McDonald's. It was my first job. I loved making my own money and I loved the free meal that came with every shift I worked. My mom told me that eating fast food every day probably wasn't a good idea, but I didn't listen. The food was just so good. 

Well, maybe I should have listened. I can remember the day my grandmother showed me the collage she made for my graduation party. It had pictures of me at every age. The picture that stood out the most was one taken before I started working at McDonald's. That picture put in perspective of just how much weight I had gained in little over a year. 

It wasn't until the summer after my freshman year in college that I decided to make a change. At the beginning of the summer I weighed in at a whopping 277 pounds. My friends and I decided to have a summer weight loss competition. With healthier food choices and exercise I dropped down to 245 by the end of the summer. I was ecstatic. 

But just as quick as I lost the weight, I gained it right back. 

During my sophomore year, I changed my major and for a few semesters I had to play catch up. With more classes and less time, I turned to quick, cheap food and over the winter break, I indulged in gumbo and desserts. Over and over again, I told myself that when I got back to school the habits would change but they didn't. 

I went from 245 to 262. 

My friends and I have again decided to partake in a weight loss competition. This time around we will support and encourage each other along the way. Just like so many people told me that I inspired them during my first journey, someone is encouraging me this time around. 

My very close friend Stephonie has decided to document her weight loss journey on YouTube and Instagram. She has entitled her journey #LoveThyself. Check her out on Instagram @n_myopinion and on YouTube under S. Nikkole for inspiration. 

Hopefully I will be better at documenting my journey this time around. I will share food tips and recipes and try to talk about my daily routine. Our official competition started on Aug. 29, 2015, but my lifestyle change started on Aug. 24, 2015. Since that day I have lost four pounds. 

Anyways... Stay tuned for more updates!