Hi Everyone!

I'm Johnelka and weight has always been an issue in my life. I feel like I was ALWAYS on a diet and with some success but nothing has ever yeilded a permanent result. I always gained back what I had lost and then some!

On August 2, 2011 I went to my doctor for a yearly physical. I got on the scale and it read 313.8 pounds! I can remember feeling disgusted, embarrased, and completely hopeless. I could see the concern in my doctors face when she suggested that I consider gastric bypass surgery. I bursted into tears right there in the office. Serious wake up call!

On that day I went COLD TURKEY from taking in about 8000 calories a day to a strict 1100 a day. I stopped drinking soda, cut out all fast food and I began making healthier choices. This time around, I decided not to diet but to make a permanent lifestyle change. I don't do well with deprivation at all so I don't deprive myself, ever.

Over the last 6 months I have learned a lot about how my body responds to different things. I am not following any particular diet, I just keep my calories to 1100 a day. I experiement A LOT...and I am discovering what works for me through trail and error.

I would be lying if I said it has been a easy... but it has been a wonderful experience so far. I attribute much of my success to this wonderful website and the accountability tools it offers. I still have about 50 pounds to go til I reach my goal weight... and even that may change as I get closer to my ideal size.

I really hope someone is encouraged to get healthy when they read this and my journal entries. It's do do-able when you make up your mind to do it. Life is sooo awesome... and it keeps on getting better!!

TTFN,
J~