The Beginning

Today I was confronted with the drastic nature of my need to lose weight.

I am 5'4" and weigh 202 pounds. I am 24 years old, and my BMI is 34, which puts me in the "high risk" category for heart disease and other health complications. I have elevated cholesterol, exercise-induced asthma, frequent insomnia, and a host of emotional and mental health problems. For at least the past seven years, I have struggled with some combination of bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety/panic disorders, and I know my poor state of health contributes to these problems.

I want to lose 80 pounds, for a target weight of 120 pounds. I want to develop lean muscle mass, cardiovascular health, improved sleep, and an overall healthier lifestyle and outlook.

Through the discipline of this project, I hope to alleviate some of the social anxiety I experience, as well as improve my personal body image and sense of well-being.

Put simply, I'm tired of feeling fat and lazy and hating myself for it, and it's time to do something about it.

I intend to post regularly, with photographs and descriptions of my meal plan, records of exercise and activity, and my thoughts and feelings about the process. Once a week, I will weigh in and post a photograph of the scale, as well as an update on my progress.