This is the beginning of my blog....I've been planning on starting a website for a long, long time. Well, here it goes:

Where do I begin with this blog...I am a 32 year old African American woman living in the Midwest, a native of Milwaukee, WI. When I was a kid, I wasn't athletic, but my brothers loved sports, but I didn't mind watching, although I was NOT competitive. I didn't have a weight problem but I wasn't skinny in my teens, although I was skinny as a kid. When I got into middle school that when I noticed that I was first gaining weight. But I didn't join in any sports when I was a preteen, or teenager, for one, because it wasn't encouraged by my religious parents, two, because I was a girl, and three, because of the location of my school, and my dedication to religion over athletics. My biggest regret! Being competitive is fun.

Throughout my 20's, I was usually between 140-160lbs. I did slim fast in my earlier 20's, back when it was popular, and actually lost 25lbs! The one difference I notice with being in my 20's then being in my 30's, is that it was easier to lose weight and I had much more energy! Now that I am in my early 30's my energy levels are very low. I'm not as focused as I used to be on working out. I blame it on my internet addiction, my love for food. I also tried south beach in my 20's also, read the book, but it didn't work as well as I wanted it too.

Now that I am in my 30's and I weigh 50 more pounds then I did 10 years ago, I often wonder how I got into this situation. I am currently almost 200lbs; I'm 5'3'', and being this weight, is too small to carry 200lbs on my small frame. One thing that I do notice, is while I have gained weight, most of my friends have gained weight also. The majority of my friends have had at least one child except a few and myself. I wonder how my body would react to pregnancy if I was to get pregnant. It something I wonder about everyday.

As I type this blog, obesity continues to be the #1 health issue in the United States. Its not only at epidemic levels: its at a pandemic level! More children are fighting obesity more then ever. According to the mayo clinics website, obesity is a complex disorder involving an excessive amount of body fat. Obesity isn't just a cosmetic concern. It increases your risk of diseases and health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.

I am currently working in retail part time, and I did hotel work on and off for ten years. I can honestly say that doing hotel work was probably one of the most worst experiences of my life. I did retail, as well as grocery, warehouse, cashiering, etc, mostly customer service jobs. I put my jobs before my health, and now I am paying a hefty price because I have gained weight instead of either maintaining or losing.

I want to confront my weight and food issues, as well as my health issues, head on. I have read countless articles online about how black women are fat, lazy, subhuman, inadequate, etc. I want to comfront the racial and cultural issues of weight and how weight is interupted in different ethnic groups. Some people might disagree but this is what ive observed

I've also excepted the fact that I have to face my own prejudice and misconceptions of people in general, no matter if they are overweight or not.

I'm writing this blog, as therapy and redemption for myself. I need to face my issues within myself head on, and not to run away from these issues anymore. My whole thing is combatting these issues and getting real about my health and my future.

This blog is only the beginning. Peace :)

Prella.