The story behind my blog name...

From the end of high school til about early 2007, I was pretty comfortable with my size. I never felt like I had a weight problem before then. Anytime I wanted to slim down a little, I only needed about a week to do so. Michael would always joke about how easily I could lose weight and tone up, even though it was only about five pounds worth at the most. The most I ever weighed at any given time during that period was 130, and that was on a BAD day or week.

Several years ago, I had an apartment with another girl named Kristen. I worked at Spectrum Fitness on Perkins Road, which should have given me great eating and workout habits. I also waited tables at the time, so that effectively canceled the healthy part out with the greasy food that was available on every shift. The truth is, my habits were horrible. I had no problems losing a few quick pounds at any given time, and I had good and bad resources to help me (i.e. personal trainers with quick tips that you would never want to consider long-term, trust me). The only thing I never did was crack out on diet pills (that was my high school vice).

When I wasn't needing to watch my weight too closely, I had an addiction to Taco Bell. No, really. An addiction. Michael would come over to see and stay with me sometimes, and there would ALWAYS be midnight Taco Bell runs, sometimes Jack in the Box just for variety. I have no idea how in the world I didn't balloon up (actually, I do. My "healthy" habits were worse than my "unhealthy" habits). Michael eventually told me he was convinced that I had a little fat girl living in my stomach who would create these ridiculous cravings. He named the little fat girl Lauren. He even knows what she looks like - red hair in pigtails with freckles all over her face; an ugly little fit-pitching bitch that you want to slap the shit out of.

This has been about five or six years ago, and we still reference Lauren when I have a craving for something unhealthy (like Taco Bell). Even after being healthy and eliminating most of my bad habits over the past year and few months, Lauren still likes to come out and pitch a fit. I've been getting better at controlling her, but I will admit that I struggle sometimes. As Melody has said, being healthy is not easy. It doesn't come naturally. It is a constant battle, especially since unhealthy choices are so prevalent and easy to come by in our society. Hence the title of my blog, "The Road Less Traveled." People want to take the easy road to health and fitness, but there truly is no easy road. Besides, the victory is a lot sweeter when you bust your ass for it.

So, now you know the story behind the blog address and title. While I do blog some on LiveStong (my online food journal), I felt like I needed another place to document my daily struggles and triumphs. Maybe one day I will finally be at a place where Lauren has moved out, but until that time comes, I'll be doing my best to overcome her little tantrums. I am so close to the body I want that there is nothing and no one that will stop me from achieving it. :)