My Story

Just a little bit of information about me and why I’m on this path to weight loss now with full dedication.

Growing up in Dublin, Ireland I was pretty skinny. Was always out, walked to school, etc. I was always active - being out and about, especially since there isn’t a whole lot for children to do in Ireland..

Then, I moved to Vancouver, Canada at the age of 7 and since then I’ve been relatively overweight. I don’t know why - maybe depression of leaving all my family behind, and the fact that my parents didn’t bother to care what I ate or how much.. and I ate. A LOT of sugary, chocolate crap. I ate crisps, chocolate bars, pop, chicken nuggets, mcdonalds - you name it. I was probably 120 pounds easily in elementary school. I’m not sure of my exact weight but I have this grade four photo of me at school and I’m HUGE. I was picked on mercilessly in elementary school because I was over-weight. Would be called fat all the time, the “popular” kids would pick on me. Actually, they’d find anyway to embarrass me in front of other students… I barely had any friends to be honest. Had maybe one or two and I stuck to myself mainly.

It was during this time that my family enrolled my sisters and I into Irish Dancing to maintain our heritage. I loved it. I loved dancing, I loved competing.. I lost weight, I did! However, I counteracted it with my shitty diet and eating sugar, high fat foods still. So while I did lose weight, I remained over weight because of my bad diet.

High school came and I was still picked on. I’m a huge people person, very out-going personality and I had friends in all different social groups, believe it or not. Unfortunately for me, the kids from elementary also went to this high school and with that came their rude comments, etc. I think it was at this point that I had had enough. I was so sick of being picked on, not standing up for myself. I was so done with people calling me names, trying to embarrass and humiliate me infront of others. Sadly, I never stood up for myself in a way that was positive for me. As a result, I spent half my high school time in the principal’s office and as a result got suspended in 9th grade for fighting.

I got into quite a few physical fights over the years which resulted in me going to 5 different high schools, being suspended, (I’ve even been charged, arrested and in jail briefly) because of how much anger I’ve had over the name calling, and being picked on. I would never let anyone put me down that way again. Whether they be strangers, friends or yes, even family. My father was never a tactful person and while he’s changed now, I can remember clearly the times he’d call me fat when I was a child.

When I was 17, I went to live in Silverdale, Washington with my dad and step-family for a bit. I needed to get my life back on track. I was fighting, being kicked out of schools and hanging with bad crowds because I stopped giving a fuck. Biggest mistake ever in regards to my weight. A town with no buses, next to none cellphone reception.. Nothing to do but eat and what happened!? Right, I gained a shit load of weight. But luckily I didn’t get picked on for it, people where much nicer in high school there because of the small country like community, so I didn’t care as much and the weight crept on.

A year later, I moved back to Vancouver and lost about 20-30 pounds. Not from healthy eating, or exercise. But from the drug ‘ecstasy’.. I was a huge E user with my friends and even my sister for about 3-4 months, and when you’re high all you do is be active, walk outside, party and not eat. I lived every day, high or drunk with my friends. It’s what we lived for. Then I slowed down, used it occasionally.. and then I was 18 and pregnant. 

My pregnancy was rough - I was having issues and was put on bed rest for 3 months. So naturally, I gained a load of extra weight. More than the normal amount pregnant women end up gaining from carrying a child and needing the extra calories (and the cravings!).. and unfortunately, I haven’t lost any of it. My highest weight was 175.. and then I kept eating when I had my beautiful daughter and the weight packed on. So then I was 180 pounds, and people where still calling me fat. I’m 20.. and people this age are still stupid and immature.. 

I bought a gym membership November 2011, and I briefly went to the gym for about a month, and then I lost my  motivation and stopped going. One day, I decided to buy a pair of jeans and realised they where a size 11. I decided to weight myself and guess how upset I was when I noticed I weighed MORE than my 5’11 boyfriend. He’s not the tall and overly skinny type either. My boyfriend is broad shouldered, skinny but with definition. It was a big wakeup call. It was at that moment that I knew I needed to go and do something about my health, my weight and my happiness.

My jeans are a size 11, I don’t feel sexy infront of my boyfriend. I feel fat. I feel gross and not as confident as I used to be. Hence, my weight loss journey. To be fit. To look good. To be a hot mom haha! I’m more dedicated now than ever before.

I’ve been going to the gym 5 days a week since April 2012, been eating a healthy diet that’s around 1000 calories or less. I focus on veggies, fruit and fish or chicken/turkey, water and low calorie snacks and whole grains. Slowly but surely, this weight is coming off and my confidence is coming back.

Thanks to everyone who follows, and to whom I following. It’s nice to see a group of people who support one another.. who make no judgements in HEALTHY weight loss! Much love to you all <3