The word for today is MODERATION...

If winning $700 isn't enough motivation to lose weight and get back to a healthy lifestyle, what is, right?  I have decided that my health, my self-esteem, my chidren, and my duty to lead by example is all the motivation I need.  

I was a college athlete, who worked out at least twice a day, had a personal trainer at my fingertips, and ate very healthy.  I was also a lacto-ovo vegetarian for 10 years.  During this time I did not consume animal flesh of any kind but I did consume select dairy and egg products.  I also nurtured and gave birth to three of our five babies while being a vegetarian so it isn't like I don't know how to properly care for my body.  Even with all of my knowledge about exercising and eating right, it is important to know that I also suffered from bulimia and exercise induced anorexia for a significant period of time throughout college.  It was my husbands constant affirmation and the threat of not being able to have kids that enabled me to walk away from the disease.  I am an emotional eater and binging and purging seemed to be a natural way for me to react to all of the changes I was experiencing that were beyond my control. 

How is it then that such a person can wake up one morning and find herself overweight and out of shape?  It's not like I didn't attempt to get back on track.  In fact, I organized and subsequently failed to win the biggest loser competition at work for three years in a row now!  To be honest, I don't think I cared that I was overweight and out of shape.  The threat of jumping back on the destructive, obsessive bandwagon of binging and purging outweighed the reality of me becoming fat.  Falling back in that trap was always in the back of my mind until just yesterday.  I realized that I am just as unhealthy now as I would've been if I was binging, purging and exercising to death.

Being overweight and out of shape goes way beyond body image for me.  Although, I have been blessed with some really good genes, I am also plagued with some not so good genes as well.  Have you heard of the "fat" genes... big hips, big belly?  No, I'm not talking about that Big Booty Judy song by Chris Brown!  Both of my parents and all four of my grandparents had high blood pressure.  My mom has diabetes and so did her mom.  Most importantly, my dad passed away at age 53 with an Aortic Dissection.  It is my goal to outsmart those "fat" genes.   

Sooooo, my answer is MODERATION.  I have found a moderate 11 week program with Dr. Oz, which includes the tools I need to succeed in a nutrition, exercise and coaching program.  I am done having babies and I have decided that enough is enough.  I am very organized and in control of almost every other aspect of my life except for eating right and taking time to exercise.  I rely on the excuse that I am just too busy as a working mom and I will get back on track when my kids are older.  That excuse just isn't going to cut it around here anymore.

  

Move it and Lose it in 2011

Dr. Oz, Sharecare and Nike are joining together to provide you with the tools you need to succeed in a complete nutrition, exercise and coaching program created specifically for you to meet your goals, lose the weight and keep it off.

On our unique interactive platform, you will stay connected every day for the entire 11 weeks with an elite training team of fitness and nutrition experts. They will answer your questions and keep you motivated along the way. We will track your progress, and keep track of your day-to-day data so that you can focus on completing the challenge.

Live webchats featuring an elite team of Nike trainers will be held over the duration of the 11-week program.

This amazing program gives you all the tools you need to lose weight and feel great. Plus, there will be surprises, giveaways and special rewards for those who stick with it!

*** taken directly from http://www.doctoroz.com

Timely Sunshine

Here is my chance to give you a little insight into who I am... random, creative, assertive, and passionate to say the least.

Like my blog title and the picture to the right, I am an idealist.  I once longed to be that woman with a low ponytail, string of pearls around her neck, who sat in a cocktail dress, and looked at her nails/computer all day long.  However, I have found myself on a different path... I am the mother of 5 amazing, unique children, full time high school art teacher.  

The theme of this blog really encompasses what I want to share with you.  No matter how hectic my day is, there is always that moment in the morning when the sun rises and shines through my window that gives me the reassurance that I have been blessed with a new day.  It is at that very moment that I realize no matter what happened the day before, I have been given the chance to become a better mom, teacher, and person. I will be sharing the daily ins and outs and ups and downs of my silly life.  I will write about my anger, frustrations, passions and enthusiasm.

I have been an avid blog follower of the NieNie Dialogues and cjane for several years now.  I ritualistically start my morning with a daily glance at the webcam on Ocean Beach in San Diego followed by the amazing and amusing posts of Stephanie and Courtney.  I created a Timely Sunshine over a year ago and it sat untouched until recently.  My friend started a cooking blog and reading her posts gave me the inspiration to get this thing up and going.

  I want to foster an atmosphere of community and involvement for my readers. Commenting and reader participation is a major factor in the growth and popularity of blogging. I encourage comments, disagreements, or criticisms from visitors.  With that being said... my first 11 weeks will be about my quest to Move it and Lose it with Dr. Oz.