These are before-and-after shots of me over the past four years. As you can see, I've been reducing my weight. What an difference only a few changes can make!
My average reduction in weight over three years has been no more than half a pound a week, but as you can see, over time, it added up! I weighed 258 lbs at the start. Since then, I've lowered my weight to 186 lbs, and I'm on target for my goal weight of 145 lbs by June 2011. I plan to post more pics here as I reach short term goals.
These photos reflect the difference a simple change in lifestyle can create. What did I change? I no longer skip meals. I eat healthy food in balanced proportions. I increased my overall activity level and am no longer a couch potato. No, you won't find me running a marathon, but small things matter. I walk faster from the car to the store, park farther out, walk through a local park as often as I can, and I do housework ... well, not harder, actually, but let's say with more enthusiasm. I cut fewer corners. I get back up and go back for something I forgot rather than waiting. I do it now.
So why am I talking about my weight? For years, I wouldn't. I rarely allowed myself to be photographed, and tried to dress (in black, of course) to conceal my apple shape. When I discovered I was at serious risk to die from the same type of heart disease that had killed both my parents, I woke up. My weight was putting me at risk far more than my genes ever could.
With the help of my doctor and a nutrition class at a local hospital, I created a program that included all the foods I enjoyed, even chocolate. My goal in life has never been to see how long I can resist M&Ms.
You may have noticed I haven't once said that I "lost" weight. That's because it was no accident. I did it on purpose, and I have no intention of "finding" it again. I no longer think of eating in relationship to whether I've been "bad" or "good." I am disciplined. I changed the way I think about food.
This week, three of my sisters and I made a pact to share updates on things we do for ourselves that help us live healthy lifestyles. Each of us promised to email the others weekly (we live all over the US) and each of us will find something positive to share. Knowing I have to do something good makes me start looking for an opportunity to take advantage of, and that provides a shot of energy all by itself. Next week, I'm telling them about this page. ^_^
To a healthy life...
I was born in Idaho, and grew up in the Southwest, but I traveled all over the world, and have lived in the South for 30 years. My husband and I make our home north of Atlanta, Georgia, near our three children.
I'm the mother of two boys and a girl, and have two granddaughters and three grandsons. You'd be surprised how many grandmothers write erotica and erotic romance. We don't often tell people because folks think that a grandmother doesn't know about sex. Well, guess what? It's the 21st century and I aint no "granny." I joined the women's rights movement at 18, campaigned for an amendment to the constitution for 18-year-olds to vote (which was passed when I was 20), and spent 4 years in the US Navy. I am strongly in favor of marriage equality and gay rights. You won't hear much from me about politics or religion. Not that I don't possess strong viewpoints on both, but they're mine, and I don't argue over things that are my right to have.
My college major was adult education with a minor in English, and I was on the Dean's List. I managed that with 3 kids under the age of 7. I was a work-at-home mom till my youngest started school. Now I'm a full-time writer. My hubby spent the last two years getting his Medical Assistant certificate, and graduated in June. He is amazing. We are both go-getters who do whatever it takes to get the job done, and we are a team. If part of a team is winning, the whole team is winning.
There are before/after pix and more below.
Hello! I'm Kayelle Allen and I write erotic Science Fiction Romance. So... you want to know more about me, do you?
I'm 30 with 30 years of experience. That should tell you at least three things about me right there.
1. I'm inventive.
2. I know how to stretch the truth.
3. I'm in denial of real life.
All of which means I have a natural talent for writing. If you're not inventive, can't stretch the truth, and you think reality is your friend -- you can't write fiction. Non-fiction... maybe.
Hubby and I have been married since the dinosaurs roamed the Earth, and we often hold hands and act like teenagers. It would be nice if we felt like teens. We don't. We just act like it. We learned the value of play early on, and keep it alive in our relationship.
