A way of life..

I've never stuck to a New Year's Resolution. For that reason, I don't bother making them anymore. What I am doing is not making a resolution, but making a life-changing decision. I'm changing the way I eat. That probably doesn't seem like a lot, but to me, it's a really big deal. I'm a pizza loving, cheese dip indulging chocoholic. I've never actually been on a "diet".

I definitely wouldn't call this a diet, either. It can't be. It absolutely cannot be something I do for a little while and then go back to my old ways. It's life or death.

I know that sound harsh, but it really it's the truth. Let me explain.

My mom has high blood pressure. My mom's dad has congestive heart failure. My dad and his dad have both had heart attacks. The heart is attacked in my family.

I just had my second baby. With my first son, I had preeclampsia; high blood pressure during pregnancy. I had to go to a lot of extra appointments and ended up delivering at 37 weeks with magnesium IV after (it was like death). I was assured by a lot of people that I wouldn't have it again, that it was common for first pregnancies and that's it. This reasoning was not shared by my doctor. Well, second pregnancy was going fantastic until about week 34 and then BAM.. high blood pressure.  I stopped working two weeks early and delivered at 38 weeks. Now, this could be a pregnancy related issue, but I can't afford to live like that's the case.

Hypertension and heart disease are 100% treatable and even reversible with food and exercise.. FOOD! I've watched a few documentaries since my son was born (just 3 weeks ago) and am still amazed that something so deadly is so treatable with better decisions. And there you have it.. it comes down to a way of life. My way of life has to change.

I'm what you would call "skinny fat". I'm thin. I'm not super stick thin, but you would probably think I work out and take care of my body. Wrong. I'm addicted to sugar. I don't say that lightly. There is no doubt in my mind that I have a severe problem with sweets. Today, I have had a dr. pepper, two sweet teas, a cupcake, and at least 6 small pieces of dark chocolate. At least it was dark. Dark chocolate helps lower blood pressure. Sugar is my biggest eating problem. In the past week I have already made huge advances in my eating choices and believe it or not, even my sugar intake is better.

Here are my goals.. 1) Plant based diet. I'm already a vegetarian so meat is not a problem. However, a true plant based diet also excludes dairy-- and I love dairy. I love a HUGE glass of skim milk with a cupcake or peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I love cheese and I enjoy eggs. Eggs have mainly been a source of protein, so they aren't as big of a challenge to give up, but it does limit my options. You see, I am probably the pickiest eater any one of my friends/family know. I don't like many vegetables or fruits (did I mention I'm a vegetarian?). I've been labeled a "carbatarian" and a "junkaholic". Those words don't even exist- they were made up just for me. This goal will take a lot of work and will power. 2) consistent exercise- most days of the week I must do 30-60 minutes of moderate exercise and strength training.

This blog will be used to update my progress on these goals as well as to add more goals. I will document new foods that I try and any roadblocks I may face. I also plan to use this as a way to document "Godstops" or ways that God shows up in this journey because I definitely can't do it without His help and He gets all the glory for any improvements made. Honestly, succeeding at all in this process will be a miracle.

My long-term goal besides perfect blood pressure and health is Baby #3. I know.. Woah.. hold your horses. I definitely am not taking away from the joy of our new baby by already planning the next. It's not like that. But there's nothing like feeling you may not get to have any more babies.  I believe there is a third child in our future- another person that will be a part of our family. I need to be healthy enough to do my part in getting him/her here. You could say this journey is as much for me as for my husband/children.

Here goes..