Why Thrive?

I recently started the Thrive Weight Loss program. What I like about it is that they teach you WHY you eat certain foods in certain combinations. It isn't a diet, it is a lifestyle. It really is just a matter of looking at food differently and making wiser choices. I've only been following the plan for 3 days but so far so good. I decided that since all my other attempts at weight loss has failed miserably, I want to share this new venture with the blogosphere. Maybe by sharing my journey with everyone, I'll be more diligent in staying with it.
Today was my first "hard" day. I have wanted a Coke all day. And I have them, in my fridge. Ice cold. Laughing at me. I open the refrigerator to get the water and those glistening red cans call out to me. Really. They do. I have been strong. I have drank my weakly sweetened tea and my water. I've even found some Crystal Lite that I like but those glistening, ice cold cans of soda continue to mock me. But they won't win. I know they won't win. I know this because the 1st thing you do in the Thrive system is find your WHY. Why do I want to lose weight. Why do I want to put myself through the misery of having a can of soda mock me. Well let me tell you...this is my why.

I want to look like this again. Or as close as a 33 year old me can look to the 17 year old me. It's not just about looking like that though. I remember how it felt to be like that. I had ENERGY. I mean real energy. I could walk everywhere I wanted to go without feeling like I was going to DIE. Come on, you know the feeling. When you go outside and it feels good to exercise. I could even RUN and RIDE A BIKE. I don't even like saying those words anymore. My kids want to go on bike rides and I don't own a bike. I don't want to own a bike. It hurts to ride a bike. I mean it makes me miserable. Running, now that's a whole 'nother story. I've never been a runner. It has always given me headaches. I mean I could run around the bases in a baseball game or chase someone a short ways but no running track or anything for me. I don't want to run races or marathons though I just want to chase my kids and get them out as they round third base. Or make a touchdown in family football. I want to be similar to the 17 year old me again. But that isn't my only WHY. There is another why and it has to do with this dream I've had for many, many years. I want to be pregnant. It isn't just the desire to be a mom, I have that and I love it. I love my boys and would love to adopt more but I feel like I missed out on something special and important. I want to experience motherhood from the very beginning. I have PCOS and so that make gaining weight very easy. It also makes losing weight very hard. But the best "cure" for PCOS is losing weight. I am also at high risk for diabetes and heart disease. I already have chest pains and have even been to the hospital because of them. I've had an Eco, Ekg and stress test. So far everything seems ok but it scared me. That was 2 years ago and I have gained weight since then. I want to be around to see my children grow up and have children of their own. I want to be able to play with my grandchildren. And I want to have more children. Whether the Lord leads us to a larger family through adoption or conception, I want to be able to play with each of those family members. When Youngest was a baby I could hold him an carry him all I wanted to. Now babies get heavy faster and I have to pass them off to other people even though I don't want to. I get tired just tying my shoes or bending over a few times to pick up things on the floor. I am not happy this way.
So WHY THRIVE? Well I THRIVE to be Healthy, Happy and HOT! Do you Thrive? Why?