Going, Going...

So today, August 3rd 2011, I want to talk about my weight loss goals and how I feel about my current weight.

I am beyond unhappy with the way that I've gained weight in the past two years. I've far exceeded any weight totals that I've ever had into horrifyingly obese. Two days after I gave birth to my daughter I weighed 180 lbs. Now, just two years later, I weigh 280 lbs. What caused this? Several things...

1) I stopped smoking.
2) I have grown lazy and do not exercise or work nearly as hard as I used to. I spend a great deal of time sitting at the computer and have found that it is difficult for me to stand for long periods of time to do dishes, cook, or other basic activities.
3) I eat a very poor diet high in sugar and fat and very low in vegetables, fruit, and fiber.
4) I have a busy schedule and am also lazy so cooking a balanced meal is often beyond my effort level.
5) A reduction of my overall time outdoors.
6) Extreme stretching of the stomach which has led to/caused by me overeating and ignoring portion control.

All of these things have combined to create a huge problem. Now I find that my weight has affected my health and happiness in several ways...

1) My heart has decided it doesn't want to work properly. The regurgitation is worse and threatens to kill me every day I'm overweight. I'm also at a high risk for heart disease and diabetes.
2) People have commented and actually publicly made fun of me over my weight.
3) I don't feel pretty or desirable. All of the clothes that I own don't fit with the exception of a few stretch pants. I don't even want to wear makeup, put nice clothes on, or be seen naked. *shudders*
4) I have no energy, at all, whatsoever. I can barely walk up stairs without sounding like a freight train going over a mountain. I get less done than I used to.
5) I'm not able to do my favorite activities because I'm too fat. Horseback riding and kayaking are out of the question.
6) Despite my best efforts there are odors that I don't find plesant which I never had before. I sweat everywhere. Staying clean is very difficult.
7) I have difficulty sleeping due to my weight.
8) My psoriasis is completely out of control, due to my weight, which adds to my self image issues.

How do I plan on fixing the problem?

Diet:
1) Work to eliminate processed sugar, like soda and candy (a huge bane in my life btw) one day at a time. Reduce until soda isn't desired and cut candy to special occassions.
2) Eat better and with more fiber/fruits and vegetables by planning meals and preparing healthy snacks for work.
3) Eat more oily fish and take regular vitamin/mineral suppliments.
4) Reward myself with a "guilt free" day once a week to make dieting easier.

Exercise:
1) Make an exercise plan I can live with. Some ideas are getting exercise equipment for work or doing my workout vids at the house.
2) Slowly increase the amount of exercise weekly based on my known needs.
3) Work to move around more in my daily life.

Monitoring/support:
1) Blog about progress and keep food journal of free days and times when I slip.
2) Love myself with positive goals and thinking.
3) Ask friends and family to help support my weight loss plan.

So overall my goals are...
1) I want to be health and happy.
2) I want to feel pretty and good about myself.
3) I want to be able to breath and move without being tired.
4) I want to play with my daughter.
5) I want have energy.
6) I want to do my favorite activities without pain.
7) I want to be able to wear my own clothing.

I want to do this by loosing 100 lbs by next year.