Trying to lose weight is very difficult. I have been struggling for a while now to shed some of the extra pounds on me.

I was very sick at the beginning of April. I had so much pain in my stomach and chest that it hurt to move. After a trip to the emergency room, an appointment with my doctor, and a session with a gastroenterologist, there was a general consensus. They contributed it all to stress. I didn’t even feel stressed, how is that possible?

Last year, I was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and moderate Acid Reflux. I have spent the better part of the last year learning what I can and can’t eat. I felt like I had it under control, for the most part. However, the night of Easter I was in so much pain I couldn’t stand up. This was not how I usually felt. This was different. Any time I ate, it was in one end, out the other (if you get what I mean). I barely ate anything that whole week.

People often joke that sickness is the best diet. I, personally, don’t think it’s that funny. Yes, I have been wanting to lose some weight but I had really hoped to do it in a healthy way.

I am now below 180 pounds, which was my first goal to reach. The feeling of accomplishment is a huge sense of relief. I feel much more in control of my body than I have ever felt. Of course, there is a long way to go towards my ultimate goal- being between 140-150 lbs.

After being sick, my boyfriend and I decided that together, we want to live a healthier, active lifestyle. He scoffed at me when I bought a pair of 5 pound weights. He insisted they wouldn’t help him in any way. I told him that I needed to start somewhere. After all, I don’t want ridiculously muscular arms. I just want tone and definition. I came home last week and found him shadow-boxing around my room with the weights, dripping in sweat.

It is all about how you use the weights.

Our plan, so far, is working. Of course, he works outside all day walking around, so he gets a great deal of exercise doing that. He has the most toned legs I have ever seen. I sit at a desk all day, for the most part. I do my best to get up as often as possible and I try to spend my lunch break taking a walk.

He wants to start running. I have a confession: I hate running. It probably has to do with the fact that I’m so out of shape that it winds me pretty quickly. But after being sick, I find that my chest HURTS if I have too much cardio-type activity. This is extremely unfortunate to me.

For now, I am focusing on alternating between leg exercises and arm exercises, as these are the two areas I wish to improve.

I am so happy to have a workout buddy who also happens to love me unconditionally, even with a little extra jiggle. We motivate each other in the best possible way and it’s great to know we have similar goals. A lot of couples choose to work out together leading up to their wedding, and even though we are not engaged yet, this is our ultimate plan. We want to look and feel good for years to come!