Welcome to Healthier U Junction. What is HUJ (pronounced huge)? HUJ is Healthier U, as in University, thus educating people on how to be healthier; not thin, skinny, or slim but healthier. This might just be a pass through on your road to weight loss, as you travel the highways and byways for information and support. However, just as with a university setting, you might call this home as we learn from one another and help each other with the day-to-day challenges of weight loss and maintenance. So when and how did my ride to this juncture begin?
On December 12, 2008 I decided to make my health a priority in my life. At that time I weighed 345 pounds and while I wanted to lose weight, I also love food. There was no way I could stop eating pizza, chocolate, French fries, etc. As much as I wanted to lose weight, I refused to change my lifestyle so much that I could not go to restaurants, attend wine tastings, and continue to enjoy food related outings. Luckily I found out weight loss comes down to one thing… calories in and calories out. Simply put, I needed to eat less, smaller quantities of the foods I enjoy and move more through exercise. So, I started counting my calories in, began working out and viola, the weight started coming off. I’ve now lost more than half my original weight. Remembering my beginning struggles and trying to find the key to my weight loss, as well as my occasional pitfalls is why I wanted to reach out to help support others, share my knowledge, get suggestions and help for myself, and connect people that want to become healthier (while still eating the foods we love).
I will blog about my struggles and successes, weight loss or exercise books or articles I read, the newest diet trends, low calorie yet great tasting recipes or food, and other things I think are important to becoming and maintaining healthier.
healthierujunction 
February 25, 2011 at 6:54 pm
I am enjoying reading your blog…such great information and insight. 🙂
February 25, 2011 at 7:08 pm
Thank you very much. I feel like learning everything I’ve learned (the hard way), I must share with others. If I can help anyone else and make their weight loss or maintenance easier, I’m glad to. I understand that keeping a healthier weight and trying to eat better is a struggle for many so if we all help one another and share what we’ve learned, we just might continue our success. Thanks so much for reading!
March 17, 2011 at 12:12 pm
Thank you much. I hope you come back again and refer your friends. I do hope to be of help or support to anyone that needs it! Thanks for reading!!!
April 13, 2011 at 11:07 pm
Hey HUJ, your story about being “fit and fat” before you lost all that weight would work really well in a piece I’m working on for the LA Times on BMI. Would you get in touch with me, please? ‘Hope we can talk!
April 14, 2011 at 12:32 pm
I sent you an email so hopefully we can go from there. I look forward to hearing from you.
July 1, 2011 at 5:57 pm
What you’ve done is spectacular, well done on the change to a healthier lifestyle!
July 5, 2011 at 12:59 am
Thank you very much. It is a continued learning process, one I am committed to keeping!
March 19, 2012 at 3:03 pm
A few months back you posted about Panera and the availability of caloric information on our menu. And your husband sent us a complimentary email that directed us to your blog (he’s obviously very proud of you!) Panera would love to do a story on you for our MyPanera members. We have a site full of stories and recipes and we love profiling customers who have achieved amazing things! Please let us know if you are interested. We’ve tried emailing your husband at the address he provided, but haven’t heard back! Lisa Lorenz – Director, Creative Content – Panera Bread
March 19, 2012 at 4:24 pm
I will be emailing you shortly. I am glad to help in any way.
November 2, 2012 at 12:02 pm
What a true inspiration you are! I see your before and after photo and it gives me the motivation to keep going. I started with a Personal Trainer in August and have been going at it since working out from 5 to 6 days a week. I’m down 25 pounds, but most importantly, the inches I’ve lost is huge.
A year ago I lost a brother at the age of 29 who weiged over 800 lbs. I know, that is hard to even imagine, and it still is when I think about him each day. I was 274 pounds when I started my new lifestyle and I’m below 250! My brother is my cheerleader up in heaven each day and I know he would want me to do this and not suffer the way he did.
I’m glad I happened upon your blog and will continue to follow your journey to give me the inspirationa and motiviation I need, especially when I don’t want to get up at 4:30 AM to head to the gym!
Blessings to you!
Sherry Crist
sherrycrist@hotmail.com
November 14, 2012 at 8:41 pm
I’m sorry to hear about your brother, but glad to hear about your triumphs. I’ll admit, I used to work out after work but now, I get up at 4am and workout. Once I did it for a few weeks, I was used to it. I’ll admit, it does help to go to bed earlier, and shift my priorities a bit. I don’t care so much about television or what I’m missing. Staying healthy is much more important. I’m glad you happened across my blog. I haven’t written in a while but hope to get back to it soon! In the meantime, please be sure to read some of my old posts as they are still quite relevant. Good luck in your continued success!!!