introducing myself

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone, I was on this list a few years ago and it was very helpful but then "life got in the way" and the list volume was too high to keep up with and I thought I could do it myself. .. well, wrong!!! So I'm back! I'm Mikki, I'm 42 years old, work full time as a data analyst for a transplant center, have 4 kids (13 yo girl, 6 yo boy, and 4 yo twin boys), and working on my PhD in genetics part time. Life stays pretty crazy for me Since starting work on my PhD, my exercise program has gone down the tubes and I've gained 30 lbs Now I'm staring 200 lbs in the face (and barely cramming myself into my work clothes), my blood pressure is high, my cholesterol is high, my fitness level is the pits, my self-esteem due to these things is rock-bottom. I feel like I'm facing a tipping point with my weight and health and need to start moving in the right direction NOW. My best friend (who is 43 and has a 5 year old son - we were pregnant together) lays dying in the palliative care unit as of yesterday, from metastatic breast cancer. All of the things I listed above are risk factors for breast cancer (and my grandmother died of it in her 50's) ... so beyond feeling like an out-of-control failure and hating the feeling, I really owe it to myself and my family to get my act together. Along with the stresses of the past week with my friend, I realized yesterday that in order for a traditional diet to work, you have to CARE 24 hours, 7 days a week, for MONTHS - to be able to resist eating what is available or comfortable or just plain yummy in that moment, EVERY TIME. And, let's face it, I just DON'T. 23 hours a day, (or 22, or 21), I care enough to try, but inevitably I'm making cookies or a pie with my kids, or there is free lunch with my meeting, or I'm stressed/unhappy/whatever, and I eat something I "shouldn't". Intuitive eating works to help me keep my sanity, I just need to give it a chance. Obviously I didn't put it entirely into action the last time, so I'm getting back into the support group and trying to come up with the funds to sign up with Gillian for coaching as I really think I need it! Also, instead of thinking that I have to put 10 hours a week in at the gym (which I don't have!), I have purchased a series of DVD's that are designed to be done in 10-minute increments at home -THAT I can do Well, I look forward to getting to know you all and thanks for listening... Mikki NOTE: The information contained in this message may be privileged and confidential and protected from disclosure. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message and deleting it from your computer.

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