Beckla
01-24-2007, 12:57 PM
Figured I'd share a little of my history and how I landed here for those that are interested (or, like me, seeking new and exciting ways to procrastinate at the office).
Basics: I'm 32 and work in public policy in Boston. I've been married since the fall of 04 to a gentle giant who works for NPR. He's not raw - the boy lives for meat - but he IS completely supportive.
I became a "pescatarian" at 16. Gave up all meat except fish. Stayed that way until this December. By then, I'd gained 50 or so pounds and was miserable.
I grew up an athlete. Swimming, gymnastics, track - competed year round through high school. Then I got to college and discovered the dining hall. I gained about 40 pounds and came home completely changed.
The summer after my junior year in college, while working at a summer camp, I developed what I thought was a diet - and now know was an eating disorder. By the time I got back to school, I'd dropped 50 lbs and was 120. (I'm 5'5). People were shocked by my appearance - but I got lots of praise for it and figured I was doing something right. Being back at school, the "diet" was much harder to maintain. I was no longer running around after campers and teaching daily swimming lessons. So I became even more vigilant. In addition to starving myself, I began purging whatever I did permit myself to eat.
This continued for quite a few years. In law school, friends often expressed sincere concern about my frail appearance. My skin was horrendous and I even went on Accutane (if you don't know - a very powerful drug with some horrible side effects). My skin cleared up after 6 months of treatment - but it didn't last.
During the spring of 04, with my wedding approaching, I started to worry about being slim enough for my gown, etc. A good friend directed me to a "diet" program that I won't name (but Alissa does cite the author in her book). The basic gist was a focus on protein and carbs in healthy amounts plus weight training and cardio.
The inches melted away. At the wedding I was a size 4. (my pic on the profile was one my husband took on our honeymoon)
Since the wedding, I've let myself go. There have been some trying family circumstances, but to blame that would be disingenuous. Bottom line: I got lazy and gluttonous and.. fat.
By December, I had just bought the first pair of size 16 pants (hurts to type) in my entire life.
Then a friend - a raw food enthusiast along with his wife - came to visit. And my world changed.
So that's me in a (long winded) nutshell. Very glad to be here with all of you.
Basics: I'm 32 and work in public policy in Boston. I've been married since the fall of 04 to a gentle giant who works for NPR. He's not raw - the boy lives for meat - but he IS completely supportive.
I became a "pescatarian" at 16. Gave up all meat except fish. Stayed that way until this December. By then, I'd gained 50 or so pounds and was miserable.
I grew up an athlete. Swimming, gymnastics, track - competed year round through high school. Then I got to college and discovered the dining hall. I gained about 40 pounds and came home completely changed.
The summer after my junior year in college, while working at a summer camp, I developed what I thought was a diet - and now know was an eating disorder. By the time I got back to school, I'd dropped 50 lbs and was 120. (I'm 5'5). People were shocked by my appearance - but I got lots of praise for it and figured I was doing something right. Being back at school, the "diet" was much harder to maintain. I was no longer running around after campers and teaching daily swimming lessons. So I became even more vigilant. In addition to starving myself, I began purging whatever I did permit myself to eat.
This continued for quite a few years. In law school, friends often expressed sincere concern about my frail appearance. My skin was horrendous and I even went on Accutane (if you don't know - a very powerful drug with some horrible side effects). My skin cleared up after 6 months of treatment - but it didn't last.
During the spring of 04, with my wedding approaching, I started to worry about being slim enough for my gown, etc. A good friend directed me to a "diet" program that I won't name (but Alissa does cite the author in her book). The basic gist was a focus on protein and carbs in healthy amounts plus weight training and cardio.
The inches melted away. At the wedding I was a size 4. (my pic on the profile was one my husband took on our honeymoon)
Since the wedding, I've let myself go. There have been some trying family circumstances, but to blame that would be disingenuous. Bottom line: I got lazy and gluttonous and.. fat.
By December, I had just bought the first pair of size 16 pants (hurts to type) in my entire life.
Then a friend - a raw food enthusiast along with his wife - came to visit. And my world changed.
So that's me in a (long winded) nutshell. Very glad to be here with all of you.