Let me introduce myself...

I'm Melissa.  I'm 5'11", 175lbs - a size 10.   I exercise 5 days a week, and enjoy eating healthy and making other choices that honor my body.

That's my future self.  That's the me that will be "talking" to you in about a year.  That me has worked at gaining a complete testimony of the following:

"Your body is a temple, a gift from God.  You will be blessed as you care for your body.  Choose to obey the Word of Wisdom.  When you are obedient to this law, you remain free from harmful addictions and have control over your life.  You gain the blessings of a healthy body, an alert mind, and the guidance of the Holy Ghost.  You will be prepared to serve the Lord."  ~ For the Strength of Youth

Let me introduce myself again, my current self.  My name is Melissa, I'm 5'11", and as of January 14th I weight 292lbs and am a size 22.  Yikes, right?  Clearly my current self is not anywhere near where she needs to be to become my future self.  So, first thing is first, I need a plan.  Thankfully, our Heavenly Father loves us and doesn't leave us alone to figure out how to follow Him.  The scriptures give us an excellent plan for health - found in D&C 89.  The For the Strength of Youth pamphlet summarizes this well and gives an excellent plan to follow:
   
    1 - Eat nutritious food
    2 - Exercise regularly
    3 - Get enough sleep
    4 - Practice balance and moderation in all aspects of your physical health
    5 - Avoid extremes in diet that could lead to eating disorders
    6 - Do not intentionally harm your body
    7 - Avoid dangerous activities that put your body at the risk of serious injury
    8 - Do not drink coffee or tea.  Never use tobacco products or any form of alcohol
    9 - Avoid any drink, drug, chemical, or dangerous practice
    and my favorite
    10 - "In all aspects of your life, seek healthy solutions to problems.  Do all you can to safeguard your physcial and emotional health so that you can fulfill your divine potential as a daughter of God"

So, this is what I'm working towards.  Eating nutritious food - I just need to get over myself and do it!  I am increasing exercise as my body allows, but I have fibromyalgia so it is a very gradual process.  I usually go to bed to allow myself the opportunity to get 'enough' sleep, however - I need to work on ways to sleep more effectively.

As part of my plan I'm using this blog to journal my thoughts and feelings during the process.  I'll post at least a week, sometimes more often.  It is mostly for me - but if you get something from it too, great!