This post is written as part of a journey inspired by the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s My Healthy Weight Action Plan, an online tool geared towards helping you live a healthier life.
This post is personal in nature. I am going to be talking about my health and overall well being. This is the first time that I have truly opened up on Multi-Testing Mommy like this. I would absolutely love your support and comments as I take this journey with you over the next few months.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation has asked me to test out one of their online tools called the “My Healthy Weight Action Plan™” and to share my experiences with you.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve struggled with my weight. I can remember being as young as 8 years old and comparing myself to the other children my age. I remember how it felt to not be 100% secure with who I was (both physically and socially).
It’s not that I didn’t eat properly as my Mom was an excellent role model and prepared home cooked meals for our family 99.9% of the time that were well balanced (for the times). Both of my parents encouraged us to eat healthy and my father, in particular, encouraged us to be physically active.
I have never been “into” sports (both participating or viewing). The story about my soccer experience was shared at my wedding when my father spoke of how he would yell at me from the sidelines to stop picking daisies and focus on the ball.
I always dreaded the physical ability tests that we had to take in gym class. I can still remember the embarrassment I felt both with my results and with people watching me.
I swam regularly and eventually became a lifeguard, but I always struggled to keep up physically with the other guards (when it came to endurance and strength).
My family didn’t indulge in “junk food” very often. The only time of year I was allowed to drink pop was once or twice during the summer when we were on vacation at the cottage. We would have the occasional home made desserts on a Sunday night and of course we would also indulge in cake etc. at birthday parties and other festivities.
The reason why I am sharing this background information with you is so that you can have a true appreciation of my whole story as I jump into this “get healthy” adventure that I am about to embark on.
I may as well share the rest of “my story” with you up to this point.
When I moved away to go to University, I felt a “food freedom” and took full advantage of it. I drank chocolate milk and pop regularly, I ate sweets and junk food on a very regular basis and my body showed it. I gained the “freshmen 15” and maybe a few more. I exercised a bit by swimming and participating in Circut Training at the gym. That must have been what kept my weight gain to about 20 pounds.
I weighed approximately 175 pounds when I got pregnant with my first child. I reached as high as 230 pounds during that pregnancy, although I must have hid it well. Either that or people were just trying to be nice to me by saying how “good” I looked pregnant.
I lost some weight in the 3 1/2 years that it took me to get pregnant again. During my second pregnancy, I tried not to focus on the weight gain so much. To be honest, I don’t know how much I gained. What I do know is that I was lingering just over 200 pounds after the first few months of having my son.
A year ago this past July, I started to take a daily, preventative migraine medication which caused me to lose approximately 25 pounds. Since I’ve been off that medication (July 2011), I’ve been slowly gaining weight back. There have been many reasons for this weight gain but suffice to say, my will power stinks.
Am I happy with where I am? No. Will I ever be? I’m not sure. As I mentioned above, I’ve always struggled with my weight, even when I was doing the “right” thing so I’ve concluded that I am not meant to be that “skinny minny” that I once hoped to be and I have come to terms with my big boned, larger than average body.
One thing that I have concluded is that I definitely would like to get healthier. I would like to lose some weight, eat better and become more active. I want to set a good example for my children and I want to be in good condition as I get older.
This is where the Heart and Stroke’s tool comes into play.
The My Healthy Weight Action Plan™ is a free tool that helps you plan for getting to and keeping your healthy weight.
There are SIX STEPS to this plan:
- Signing up
- Logging and assessing your current habits
- Getting your recommended plan
- Setting goals
- Creating a plan
- Tracking success
I’ve signed up for the tool already. The sign up took me a total of 5 minutes and it was super easy. The one struggle that I had with the sign up was that it asked me how much weight I wanted to lose. As crazy as it sounds, I had absolutely no idea! So, I had to do a search on the site for BMI because I knew that would help me determine what a healthier weight would be. The BMI chart that is available on the Heart and Stroke Foundation page is not an interactive one and I found it difficult to read, so I headed off on a quick internet hunt and found my answer.
Wish me luck this week as I start my adventure to healthier living. I am going to be tracking my eating habits for 7 days as recommended by the tool.
I hope you will join me every Monday as I share my experiences of the FREE My Healthy Weight Action Plan™ Tool provided by the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Even better, if you aren’t 100% happy with your weight and you would like to join me on this adventure, I’d love to do this with you. Are you on board with me? Would you like to share your weight loss journey with me? The only commitment here is to yourself. It would be an added bonus if you would share your stories, struggles and tips in the comments below each post!
This is a sponsored post. Opinions expressed belong to Multi-Testing Mommy and are NOT influenced in any way. See MTM’s Disclosure for more details.
Sounds like a great tool to get you started. I couple def. loose a few (or more than a few) pounds. Thanks for sharing.
thanks for sharing your story, I know that isn’t always easy to do. I am going to show the program to my hubby and see if he will use it, he’s been wanting to lose a little, um alot, of middle weight.
Whohoooo way to go girl! You are changing your life for the better and that tool will help.
Come on over and link this post on my blog today!
Thanks for sharing you health story. I was almost where I wanted to be (as I worked a crazy busy job that didn’t have me sitting long) as of the last 2 months I have been gaining middle weight as I am now on overnights 🙁 I am thinking of heading over and checking out the tool. Thanks :)and good luck!
Checking out the tool now! Thanks!
Honestly I would never guess you struggled with your weight. You look good, but I think feeling good and being healthy is an awesome goal!
I dont think people were just being nice when you were pregnant. I had people tell me I had to gain more weight and then when I told them how much I gained they said I gained too much. Or maybe its just bc if you are thin they think they can tell you about your weight
Looks like a great tool and will be cheering you on your journey!
Goodness knows I need to start my own journey too 🙂
This looks like a really great tool. I’m glad you felt comfortable sharing something personal, we’re here to support you my love! I am so excited to see where this journey takes you! I’ll be here to cheer you on! I’m also here to lend an ear if you need to VENT over difficult moments, because of course we know those are inevitable, haha. But, you have such a great attitude I truly believe in you!!!
I wish I lived closer so we could continue to WALK! I miss it. I could stand to be a bit more active, I’ve been slacking. While I don’t feel I have specific pounds to lose, I am going to try to tone and be more active for general good health.
I’m going to show this tool to Mr. Lock though, he’s been eager to be more conscious about his health and weight lately so maybe he’d enjoy seeing this free option.
Best of luck! I BELIEVE IN YOU! Let’s line dance, that’ll burn the calories!
Thanks for sharing your story and thanks for stopping by today!
I can totally relate!
Good luck on your journey!
Hi Lady! 😉
Good for you and I know exactly what you are feeling. I am working on something too for Mondays and would totally love to support each other as we get healthier. Cheers to a healthier, happier you!
I’m OK with my weight but I’m not OK with the shape I’m in. I get winded just walking up the stairs! skinny doesn’t mean healthy. Healthy should be everyone’s goal, right? I may leave the laptop open to that page for my hubby too…. 🙂
One of the problems we all experience is lossing weight and keeping it off. There are a lot good programs out there. The one I choose was Isagenix’s, it’s a food replacement program it’s not a diet. I lost 39 pounds and even over Christmas, eating Christmas dinner and everything that goes with it, I only put on 3 pounds which have now gone. Best of luck with your goals.
Wow – you could be telling my story there. I can totally relate to what you said and how you felt. I started my own journey with Weight Watchers last year and am regrouping and refocusing now for another year. I’ll be following you as you walk this path – and I know you can do it since you’ve not only got the tools – you’ve got a community to cheer you on!
I’m glad you shared and I’d not heard of their tool so I’ll be taking some time to investigate it. Anything that can help me to continue to do well and make changes that will help not only me but my family is a great thing!
Wishing you not luck – but rather super success!
your not alone…I have never been “skinny” however I have been proud of my health and body before and I can say right now I am so far from that its not funny. I’ll definitely look into this tool towards my own goal. Thanks for sharing!
What an amazing journey to be on. I can’t wait to read more about it (I re-added you to reader – why the heck it dropped I don’t know – but I have a lot to catch up on).
Couple things – cuz I’m sure you’ve missed my long comments 🙂
1) I think you look amazing as you are. I’m a big advocate for being healthy and a good weight, but in the couple times we’ve met in person I didn’t think of you as an overweight person at all.
2)As you know I sooo get the struggle. I’m not 100% happy with my weight. I’m close – and i’m really dieting this week because I gained a few pounds over Christmas. But, last year (4 lb weight gain excluded) I lost 30 lbs, ate way way better, started enjoying healthy foods and really got into working out. It feels good.
And as for the feeling awkward stuff when i was younger. Right there with you. But, it’s funny how the playing field changes as adults.
Good luck! I seriously need to do something about my weight. Maybe you will inspire me. I look forward to your updates! 🙂
I have also started blogging about my weight (first post coming on sunday!). I have gained 12 lbs since August, and I am not happy about it. Here is to being healthier and happier in 2012!
What a great tool. I too am trying to work to live a healthier lifestyle. The weight seems to have snuck on over the years & I’m committed to making permanent changes. Good luck to you too! -SASS
Good luck in your endeavor and thank you for being so transparent in your post. It is inspiring to others.
Thanks for sharing this post. I could certainly use a few lost lbs here! We eat healthy (we live on a farm in the middle of nowhere, so hardly any processed food or fast food – mostly all food from our farm). I do Zumba, dance, and speedwalk…and still can’t shed the weight or the muffin top. It’s actually kind of depressing.
P.S. Coming over from SASS 🙂 Good luck in your journey and I look forward to hearing more 🙂 xoxo
If you want to figure out a way to get in shape together, you know I am here for ya. I need to get healthy and excercise more! SASS
Thank you so much for sharing. That must of been extremely difficult. It’s funny how much having a child of our own can suddenly make us more determined to be healthy. Your family will appreciate it! The tool you are using sounds amazing. I wish you the will power to continue on your important journey SASS
These looks like a great tool. I can completely relate to your story. I struggle with my weight and food every day! My story is a little different as I was super skinny as a kid, like awkward skinny and I was always encouraged to eat more and more. I never learned limitations 🙁 SASS
I’m into health and fitness. I will definitely be checking out this resource. Thanks for sharing!
i too am trying to get back into shape. it isn’t a focus of numbers for me just being a healthier person overall! Although it is so cliche, it is so nice having all the new year post available for tip and encouragement.
I can relate to your struggle from childhood on. You described my life from childhood on! I am going to check out that tool right now!
I’ve actually been using this tool all week. It’s hard to be honest with myself about what I’m eating after I see it written down on paper – but it’s definitely helping me to reflect on *why* I’m eating the way I am 🙂 SASS
Thanks for sharing your story… I’m so excited to follow along on your journey! SASS
I don’t even know how to explain to you how this post hit home for me. I could have written this. It echoes my personal experiences so closely (well other then the fact that my idea of swimming is the dog paddle, and I’ve most definitely never been a life guard). I have never been one to focus on or worry about my weight. But I have reached a point where I am at a weight that is simply not healthy. I’ve been flirting with the 200 lb mark for a while now, and ignoring the scale and hoping for the best certainly isn’t’ working. Off to check out this online tool, because I think an action plan is just what I need.
Looking forward to joining this
November 8-I stumbled on your Post by accident and I was very impressed with you and your desire to lose weight. I did not have a problem until after Middlw age and have struggled ever since. -A sedentary job and not exercising like I did when I was younger left me with the 30 pounds that separated me from the physical person I want to be. I will be reliving your posts with you. I hope you are ok with that. I wish you all the best and I plan to get caught up on your journey to Health this year. Hugs. Elva Roberts