Friday, September 28, 2012

Video


Here is only a couple of minutes of the video made by Adam Steele that I sent to The Biggest Loser. The other part that isn't in the video is pretty embarrassing. But, if you want to see it all contact me and I'll send you the link and password.

Preface:
This part of the video was taken at the 5k that I walked. (I can't run! ... yet)

Thursday, September 27, 2012

I'm baaaack!

That's right! I'M BACK! 

I'm SO sorry for the obvious lack of blog posts but I was under contract that I was unable to post anything (blog post coming to explain)

But I am now able to post... so here I am... ready to lose this weight!

Let's do this mother!

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Old VS. NEW


My old exercising shoes VS. my NEW exercising shoes
Yes, it's true. I was exercising in my "Toms" you see pictured above for the past 2 months. I finally had enough of the aches and pains and went to a fancy-shmancy running store to get some real shoes. I was the only fat person in that store and definitely felt out of place, but I braved through it because I needed me some shoes!

I tried on many different pairs until I found these babies! They were quite a bit over $100 but I realized with this 5K coming up I couldn't afford to ruin my feet by walking in my Toms everyday. So I splurged and bought them. Whoop whoop! SO GLAD I DID!

Now, who wants to exercise with me!?


Thursday, May 17, 2012

Weekly Weigh-in

Picture taken before I went to go weigh in
So this week I didn't really keep track of my "points" that Weight Watchers has you do, but I made a lot more healthier choices. So I was unsure what the scale would say this week.

I stepped on the scale and was excited to see that I had lost another 2.6 lbs! So I've lost a total of 14.2 lbs. I bet if I were keeping track of my points I would have lost more but this is also a LIFESTYLE change so I'm just glad I made healthier choices and it showed. YAY me!

Sunday, May 13, 2012

How I became fat

Where do I begin?
Demarie, mom, me and Angela in 2006
I've always struggled with my weight. I have come to terms that I will always have to work at being fit and healthy. My mom always said that she could tell from when I was very little that I liked to eat-A lot. I just never got full and I was always hungry.

What I'm about to confess is something that is very personal to me. If I haven't told you before, please don't be offended. I have chosen to tell very few people about this... and it's nothing personal. Just the fact that I'm fat is not something I like to talk to people about. Some of you might have wondered or guessed... but I'll just tell you:

In February 2007 I had gastric bypass surgery. I thought it was the start of a new life. And it was.... for a little while. I lost about 80 pounds and quickly.

 It was really hard, and it hurt. Not just the surgery part, but 3 years afterwards I would get sick nearly every time I ate. I still sometimes get sick after I eat. I mistakenly thought that after having the surgery, I would never have to worry about putting on weight again.

And then disaster hit. My world as I knew it came crumbling to the ground. My family: the foundation I had always counted on was falling apart. After 31 years of marriage my dad broke the news to me and my sister that him and my mother had decided to get a divorce. It blindsided me.

I feel like with most divorces, people know they are coming. That was not the case here. It literally came out of nowhere. Maybe I had chosen to become oblivious to the obvious lack of love my parents had started showing to each other. I had always been able to count on my parents and to realize out they weren't perfect people was hard. It was almost too much for me.

So, I started to find comfort in the things I could count on and control.... food. Not only did I turn to food but I did the one thing they told us I could never do after having the surgery.... and that was drink ANY kind of soda. The reason you are not supposed to drink it, is because the carbination stretches out your stomach.

Now, I'm not sure if that's the sole reason I gained all the weight back (My Dr. Pepper addiction.) But it surely didn't help, I'm sure.

Why did I do it if I knew I wasn't supposed to? I can't really answer that. I'm not sure why. If I were to think of a deep meaning behind it, all I could say is that I think it was the one thing in my life I felt like I could control... and it brought me (temporary) happiness.

If I could take back having the surgery, I would. Before having the surgery, my parents asked me to pray about having it to see if it was the right option for me and I did.... and I got the answer, "no." But I wanted it SO badly that I didn't listen. I lied to my parents and told them I got the answer yes. They don't know that, I haven't told anybody that until now. And I feel really bad about it. I wish I had listened.

I feel like now having had the surgery it hinders my weight loss. Why? Because I am constantly hungry. I can't eat as much and I'm only full for about 5 minutes until I'm FULL ON HUNGRY (as if I had never eaten) again. 5 minutes. No exaggeration. My stomach found ways to adapt. And I just digest my food ultra fast. And I mean ultra fast.

I am now heavier then I was before I had the surgery. 20 pounds heavier to be exact. I hate that fact, actually.

This time, I'm determined to not take the easy way out but do this the right way.... through diet and exercising. I've been really struggling the past couple of days and so I am calling out all my favors to you, my readers. Please ask me how I'm doing emotionally, and how the diet is going. Call me to go on a hike or a walk or just your little words of encouragement help! I need you guys!

If you have any questions about what I have just asked you please feel free to leave a comment with your question and I will try to answer every question.

**Deep sigh**

There, I did it. I told you.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Rough week

This week started off to a great start and slowly went down hill as the week progressed. I'm not going to lie, this week was pretty rough for me emotionally to handle. 

One thing I've come to realize about myself as I've gotten older is that what people say to me really affect me. I, more then most, am affected by what others are telling me.

This week someone that I had never met sent me a bunch of text messages filled with hateful, mean, rude words that really left me feeling pretty crappy. I know I shouldn't let what others think about me determine how I feel about myself, but it's hard for me not to.

Unfortunately, I let that be an excuse to just stop trying and on Monday I stopped watching what I was eating.

I paid the price when I stepped on the scale today and saw that I had gained 2.4 lbs. I knew I would gain a little bit, but I'm not going to let this stop me. Everybody has good weeks and bad weeks and this just happened to be a bad week for me.

But today is a new start and I promise I am not giving up. Next week I will do better!

Check back in a couple of days for an extremely personal post about "Why I'm Fat."

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Avocado no-no!

Yesterday I had been doing really well counting all the calories and points in everything I ate. I decided to let myself have a treat.

I love avocado's. I could eat them by the sleeve! But I remembered from the last time I did Weight Watchers that Avocado's, like most fruits and veggies, were not 0 point foods. So I thought the most a vegetable could be is 4 points, right?

So I mashed up a full avocado, counted out 12 chips (4 points for the chips) and had a little snack. 
Then, I started to type in how many points I had used. I typed in "avocado" and my mouth dropped! TEN POINTS! Yes, ten. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10!!!! That is 3 more points then I used for breakfast! (Smart Ones French Toast and Sausage)

Oh, I was so mad! Livid. I had just used 14 points for a snack that didn't even fill me up! So, I had to dip into my weekly 49 extra points Weight Watchers gives you every week for a special occasion to make it the rest of the day.

Never again will I eat a full avocado. Totally not worth it!!!!

UGH!! I'm still so mad!!!

Friday, May 4, 2012

My first salad

So anybody who knows me will know that I HATE salads. Well, last night I had a salad made by my friend, Corey and... I LIKED IT!

Note:
This picture was of Corey's salad. Mine was much smaller than this but his looked prettier to take a picture of.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Weekly Weigh-in

So this week I didn't officially start counting my "points" that I ate in a day until Monday. So I was only changing the way I ate for 4 days so I was really nervous to weigh in. Even with those 4 days I had worked my butt off to follow everything completely to a "T."

So weighed in today and I lost........

6 pounds since last Thursday!!! So that makes a total of 14 pounds! Woot woot!

I learned a valuable lesson this week. On Monday, I had a date and I ended up getting a sandwich that was really high Weight Watchers points (meaning very high calorie.) It didn't fill me up and I was hungry when I got home but I had no more points left to spend because I used 22 points (yes, I know) on dinner. NEVER AGAIN! I need to learn to make healthier choices when I go out to eat! That is my goal this week-to make healthier choices when I eat out.

Also, my amazing friend Corey Bohner with InFamous Productions took these before pictures of me today. Keep in mind when I started I was 14 pounds heavier then this. But I thought it was better late then never. Enjoy. 
BEFORE PICTURE - May 2012
BEFORE PICTURE - SIDE VIEW - May 2012

Monday, April 30, 2012

Weight Watchers

Today I started Weight Watchers. I'm really quite scared, actually. Food has been my obsession for 24 years and that's a hard habit to break!

I am excited about Weight Watchers because it really teaches you how to make healthy choices from day to day.

Weigh-in is on Thursday. So check back in to see how much weight I have lost!

Thursday, April 26, 2012

5K

I'm doing a 5K!!!! You should join me!
If not to support cancer, do it to support me. It would mean a lot to me to have you by my side! Let me know if you sign up
Who?
Runners, walkers and strollers of all ages are invited to help kick off American Fork Hospital's annual 5k


What?
A 5K! Approximately 3.1 miles.

Where?

American Fork High School (510 North 600 East, American Fork, UT)


When?

Saturday, June 23, 2012 at 7:00 AM


Why?
To support good health! And to support the fight against cancer.
 ALL proceeds will benefit cancer patients in our community who can't afford treatment. Each runner will receive a performance shirt (men's and women's sizing) and be entered into a drawing for prizes.
 

How?

You can visit their official website or you can register for the 5K here


How much?
Only $20! Plus you get a T-shirt and all proceeds will benefit cancer patients in Utah County who can't afford treatment!
!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Overwhelmed.

So, I am extremely overwhelmed and grateful for all of the support I have been getting lately from all of you. Whether it's on Facebook, this blog, in the grocery store, a simple note or text message I have truly been touched beyond words!

I had no idea so many people cared about me. Can I just say thank you? Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, for caring about me and taking a second to read my story and just for your simple words of encouragement.

Now I really can't mess up! I have to prove to everyone I care about that I can do something hard.

To be honest, I'm really scared of letting you all down. I feel like my life has been a repeat of letting people down over and over again. But I'm determined to change that. I know that God would never give me something I couldn't do. I can do this. I can do this.

As the little engine that could did, I need to keep telling myself, "I know I can! I know I can!"

That is my rant for the day.

P.S.
I had a Diet Coke today. So sue me!

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Why am I doing this?

It's actually quite a sad story. I haven't felt that sad, hurt, disappointed and confused for a long time, if at all ever.

I met someone I was starting to really have true feelings for. This guy seemed to have it all and I was definitely falling in love with him. He said he was feeling the same way and so naturally he wanted his parents to meet me. I hadn't fallen this hard for a guy in a LONG time and I had never been so nervous to meet someone's parents. I'm really good with people and most parents I've met have easily liked me... so I knew I shouldn't be nervous. But I really liked this one...

For three days I fretted over the perfect outfit to wear. How would I wear my hair? What shoes would go good with my outfit? I think I literally spent about 3 hours (triple the amount of time it normally takes me) showering, blow-drying my hair to perfection and making sure my make-up was perfect.

The picture above was taken of Michael (name has been changed out of privacy) and me right before we were to meet his parents. Michael had repeatedly told me how much his mother would like me and how well we would get along. He described her has very friendly and good with people that I was most excited to meet her.

We went to dinner and I was introduced to his parents but his mom didn't talk much. Anyways, we went on with the night and I didn't think much of it. Everybody has "off" days and maybe she just wasn't as chatty as Michael had described her to be.

Sunday comes around and Michael had invited me over for General Conference (a televised portion of our church that happens semi-annually where we get to hear from our leaders.) After General Conference, Michael goes and talks to his dad about some business they had and I was left with his mom. I suddenly got really nervous. This was it. Either she likes me or she doesn't.

It was clear from talking to her for 3 minutes that she already didn't like me. I racked my brain over every conversation we had ever had how on earth she could have a negative impression of me and could come up with nothing. She talks to me for a little bit, asking questions here and there but it was the first time I had felt uncomfortable in front of someone in a very long time. She didn't seem to care about me or the questions she was asking me. She seemed to be doing it because she had to.

Later, when Michael was done talking business with his dad she asks if she can talk to him (Michael) privately for a moment. My heart sunk. I'm really good at reading people and their body language and it was clear from hers that she wasn't a fan of me. I hoped that I wasn't being paranoid and maybe she was talking to him about something else.... but something in the back of my head told me she was talking about me.

I remember the last time I felt like that was in High School. When some friends would back stab another friend to get up higher on the food chain. That's why I hated High School.... it brought out the worst in people.

Michael lives in Salt Lake and we were planning on making the 50 minute drive to Provo to introduce him to my family. I didn't wait long once we got into the car to ask the question, since it was burrowing away at my soul,
"what did your mom say when she pulled you aside?" I asked, hoping I was just being paranoid. I wasn't.
He let out a deep sigh and his honesty struck at my heart with the words, "She said she was concerned about your weight."

Wow. Really? I had spent all that time trying to look perfect and be perfect to meet someone when it wouldn't have mattered??? My weight is why she doesn't like me?

My heart felt like someone had just strapped a twenty pound weight to my left  and right ventricular valves. I started asking him more questions hoping that he had stood up for me, but I found out that he barely had.

To make a long story short, three days later Michael's mom came over and convinced him that a life with me was not what he would want... and then he broke up with me. That was the sole reason he broke up with me. That was it, his mother thought I was fat and it bothered her.

That night and days following were some of the hardest I have ever experienced. It's still really really hard. I still really care about Michael and I'm still trying to work towards forgiving him and his mother. Sometimes it just takes time.

Ironically, the same General Conference in which his mother pulled him aside about my weight was the one where I heard this quote,

If I have one message to Michael's mom, it would be not to judge me because I sin differently from her. Just because I wear my flaws so the whole world can see them does NOT mean I'm not an amazing girl who would have loved your son with a love you would have only hoped for.

As much as I would love to hate her... I don't. I feel sorry for her. And any girl Michael chooses to marry. And believe me... when I'm 80 pounds thinner I'll be smiling at you. And then, your son would only wish I was in his league.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

The results are in....

So I wanted to give you all a summary of what's been going on in my plan to LOSE THIS WEIGHT.

1) April 4th, 2012 I officially quit Dr. Pepper.

Now, I knew this would not be easy... so I gave myself sometime to adapt to being off of it before I started my exercise routine.

2) April 9th 2012 I started exercising 4-5 times a week for 25-30 minutes at a time.
I know that doesn't seem like very much time to be exercising but it's not an easy feat when you are as overweight as I am. I didn't want to start to hate working out right from the beginning so I am easing my way into it. Plus, it's better then what I was doing, right?

3) Some time next week (when I work up enough courage) I am going to start to watch what I eat.

I hesitate to say the word "diet." Because I would like for it to be more of a "lifestyle." Where-as a diet is more of a temporary thing.

So, today was a really rough day. I didn't want to weight myself because I weighed myself on Wednesday and hadn't lost anything. I thought it was because I hadn't started my new lifestyle  of eating yet so I assumed today it would be the same. But, I decided to weigh myself anyways and.....


**Drum roll, please!**
 I lost 6 pounds!
 WOOT WOOT!
**does a fat dance**

Thursday, April 12, 2012

ONE WEEK!!

So it's officially been ONE WEEK since I've quit Dr. Pepper and boy oh boy, am I sure feeling it!!!

Every SINGLE day I say to myself, "I really could go for a Dr. Pepper right about now..." but honestly, nothing tastes as good as skinny feels!

Dr. Pepper sure does come very close, though.

Monday, April 9, 2012

First Workout



I did it! My first workout!!! Kicked my BUTT, but I started and that's all that matters.

I got my heart rate up for 30 minutes. I know, I know... only thirty minutes? But I felt like I was going to die.
Anyways, I want to thank my room mate, Mary for coming with me. I've really been overwhelmed by the number of people that are supporting me on this journey already. I posted my first blog entry on Facebook and I was touched by the  number of people I thought never even cared what was going on in my life. I don't want to let you guys down. And I won't. I will do this.

Keep checking for updates!

Oh, also please note the water in my hand in the picture above. That's right people! It is day 5 off of Dr. Pepper!!! I know.... right?

Anyways, be a gem and leave a comment of support!

Saturday, April 7, 2012

And so it begins...

Hi, I'm Candy Anderson-and I'm fat.

As I sit here typing, shoving Girl Scout Cookies down my throat, I am realizing that there is nobody to blame but myself. I'm fat because of me and my choices.

Eating unhealthy is the love of my life. I love it more than anything. It's always there for me when I need it - when I'm sad, happy, in celebration and boredom!

Well, this week was a giant slap in my fat face! And I am here to say that I am ready to break off this 24 year obsession with food and soda! Enough is enough!

I'm sick and tired of being fat. I don't wish this upon my worst enemy. Nobody truly understands what it is like until they have experienced it.

Please follow and support me along this weight-loss journey. This is going to be the hardest thing I ever do. But I know I CAN (and will) do it.

And so it begins...