Tha Alpha

     January 1 is lousy with good intentions, new projects, outrageous resolutions, and I have plenty of my own to add to the mix.   I am a working mother of a 2 yr old, my husband is unable to work at this time, and my menial income is all we have to support our family.  Well, that and foodstamps.  There is a stigma attached with being on foodstamps, one that I have bought into in the past, and one that I now have been associated with.  I now know that just because a person is on foodstamps does not mean that they don't care or are lazy, or that they are just wanting a free ride.  Be careful, my friends! I have often found myself in the position of the people who I have previously judged!

     In the course of this past year, due to bad habits and depression over current circumstances, I have found myself in the worse physical shape of my life.  This affects so much else in my day-to-day routine!  It affects my self-confidence, my ability to play with my son, my courage to take on new challenges, my sleep, ability to breathe, jump, run, fit into seats in public places.  I am so far beyond what I, as an athletic teenager, ever would have believed I could be. I am 34 years old, somewhere in the realm of 320 lbs, pre-diabetic, and unable to do jumping-jacks. I have high blood pressure and have no idea about my cholesterol, but I'm sure it's not good. 

     I want to run again.  I want to play sports with my son, climb trees, fit into an airplane seat without an extender, be able to breathe well, shop anywhere I want for clothes, not wonder if my son and husband are embarrassed of me.  I want to reclaim my joy and sparkle that I have been known for. More importantly, to me, I want my son to grow up healthy with good habits that will keep him healthy throughout adulthood.

     I have been using the fact that I am on foodstamps as an excuse.  I've claimed that I can't afford to eat healthy and keep my family healthy.  I am tired of hiding behind my lack of money.  I am ready to get healthy, and I am going to do it, ON FOODSTAMPS.

 SO WELCOME TO THA FOODSTAMP DIET!!!! 

I am going to spend this year researching and putting into practice how to be healthy even with the challenges of lack of income and lack of time and energy.  I know I can do it.  Which means you can do it, too!!  Join me on this adventure and we can share tips, successes and messes!!