Guest Post - Divya - Starting Fresh

*I hope you enjoy Divya's story.  She blogs over at EatTeachBlog - be sure to check her out.  I know many of you may be on a quest to drop a couple more pounds or even run your first race just like she is and I hope you find her story inspiring.*

I'm not perfect. In fact, I'm far from it. I make mistakes as a daughter, a sister, a friend, a teacher, a healthy eater (occasionally the ice cream calls out to me). But that's life. You make mistakes and you learn. You give yourself some wiggle room to discover the good, the bad, the "tasty but TERRIBLE." And you understand that life happens. And you take it, you enjoy it, but you always have that "healthy mentality" with you. 

A "healthy mentality" doesn't mean you avoid the things you love. The reason I started losing weight was not because I completely removed the pizza and the occasional glass(es) of wine from my diet. In fact, it was because I allowed myself to have access to these things from time to time that I actually got myself to lose weight. 

For 22 years of my life, I was overweight. I had tried South Beach, Atkins, Lindora, Herbalife, etc. You name it, I had probably tried it. And things would work.....for 2 days. And then I'd find myself binging on donuts secretly when nobody was home (I don't even LIKE donuts!). But because I wasn't "allowed" to eat it, donuts became all the more desirable. I don't even remember actually enjoying the food - I was just inhaling calories because I felt like I was being denied something really important. 

When I graduated from college and realized how unhealthy I was, I realized something had to be done. It was a combination of everything - how I looked (I would wear sweatshirts and sweatpants every day), how I felt (carrying around that extra body weight just made me sweat...often), and my discovery that food had way too much control over my life.

SO, I threw all diets away (literally all the papers and books I had accumulated over 10 years were tossed in the garbage) and I started a life of moderation. No more diets, no more quick fixes. I had to fix more than just my body - I had to change my mentality and attitude toward food and exercise. In a year and a half, I lost 50 pounds. By doing it the "natural way" - working out, eating healthier, and allowing myself to indulge in my favorite things occasionally. And not once did I feel denied. Not once did I hide in my car and eat an entire bag of chips because they were forbidden. More important than those 50 pounds lost was the GAIN of a new life and a new attitude. I began to crave bellpeppers (crazy, right?!). I began to love all fruits and vegetables. I couldn't imagine a day that didn't include some form of activity. I started to fall in love with the gym. All these things I used to run away from became a part of my life. 

I am a new version of myself today - a better version. I haven't reached my goal weight, but I (along with Abby!) am participating in the "Lose A Marathon" challenge. We are also both training for races (me for my very first half marathon and Abby, as I'm sure you know, for a marathon!). That's why I've loved following Abby's blog - when I read her stories, I feel like they're meant for me. When I see how many miles she's run, I'm motivated to keep up with my training. We're not quite there....but we're getting there.... :) 

With some new favorite foods - Yogurt Land & Subway

 Thanks for listening!!