Well tomorrow is the big day!  Going to the podiatrist to find out when I have to have surgery on the joints in my feet. The diet will have to be my main way of weight loss since I really won't be able to exercise. I am sick of living with this disease.  I am determined however not to let it get the best of me!  I am researching and doing everything I can to help alleviate symptoms and get my life back.  Hopefully we can speed up the moving process and get into our 1 story house before I have surgery.  Never thought at 28 this is where my life would end up, but I firmly believe God gives us tests and if he brings you too it he will see you through it! It helps being stubborn too!  I do have moments where I just feel like giving up, but I know I can fight through this!  Hope everyone is having a good start to their week!

Love,
Jessica

This has been a rough start to the year and I have fallen behind in my weight loss goals.  My RA has been acting up and I will have to surgery on my feet.  I am determined not to let that deter me from continuing to try and loose weight.  I will not let this get the best of me!  We have been eating healthier and buying smarter choices in terms of our food selection.  Cooking at home has made a huge difference.  Hopefully once we move I can rejoin the gym and get back into an exercise routine!  I sure hope this gets better as Spring rolls around.  I have lost 8lbs though since February so I know I can do it!  I just need to keep my head up and remember that the goal is healthy not just skinny!  I have to many risk factors in my family so the least I can do is get healthy and reduce the risk. If you don't know I have rheumatoid arthritis which according to the first doctor I went to should have put me in a wheel chair 4 years ago.  Good thing I am a stubborn pain the the rear end! I have days where I cannot walk because my joints are so swollen, can't put on shoes and socks, or even do something simple like wash my hair.  It has not been easy and the medications do not help with the weight.  Heart disease, diabetes, cancer and autoimmune disorders run in my family history.  I have to get healthy in the best way I can because the RA increases my risk by 1000 times over a healthy person.  So whether I work with you, your my family or my friends please help me on this journey!  I know I can do it if everyone pitches in and helps!  I just want some of my life back.  I'm tired of only being able to physically function 4-5 hours a day doing simple things such as walking or playing with my nieces.  This is a mental and physical journey so I can get my life back.  I want to be back to the happy go lucky woman who loves to take trips and adventures and not the person I have become being dependant on someone when I have a flare up and not being able to go far from the house.

Love you all,
Jessie

Today was an overall good day!  I ate three meals and satisfied my sweet tooth with some frozen yogurt.  I was not able to get to the gym today because of my work hours but I was able to get lots of movement in by sticking all day.  Sometimes I find my work schedule is my biggest challenge for sticking to a healthy diet and the gym because of the hours we work.  I know I can do it though.  I am going to order the supplement to help boost my energy.  Hopefully that will help with the hours I work to get me into the gym.  I am also ordering some sketchers shape-ups tomorrow and some workout clothes too! Got to do what I need to do in order to get this weight off!

start of the journey

I am starting this journey to get healthy and be happy.  Having Rheumatoid Arthritis and the family history has really had an impact on my life.  My current weight is 245.  My goal weight is 145lbs.  So far in the last year and a half I have lost over 100 lbs.  Currently I am working out at the YMCA and doing weight watchers.  One of my donors also suggested some supplements that have really worked for her and helepd her lose weight.  I have always been scared to try supplements, but there is one for energy that peaked my interest.  I am thinking about ordering it to try!  I figure it cannot hurt and more energy to work out would be awesome!  If anyone has any suggestions that would be great.  Also I would love extra motivation and encouragement!  This road is not going to be easy but I believe I can do it!