Pushing my kids in their double stroller down the streets of Clarendon at a whopping 205 pounds stopping to take a deep breath every couple of minutes while watching all the skinny moms on their morning run with their double strollers was the wake up call I needed. I was exhausted all the time. And I just didn’t feel like I did prior to having my children. I felt fat and heinous, old, ugly and angry. After seeing my doctor, I was diagnosed with a mild case of post-partum depression. My doctor said I had a choice. I could “choose to ‘pop several prescription pills to treat the weight loss and one more to treat the depression’ or I ‘could simply stop eating and restrict my caloric intake to 1200 calories’ or less per day”. Neither one of those options sounded good to me. I am not disciplined enough to give up something I love–food! And even though I realize legalized prescription drugs have helped many people, I just didn’t want that to be my only option. I didn’t have to remain sedentary, I could do something about it! Continue reading →