50 lbs. Gone!

178.5 lbs

This is one of my favorite shirts to take progress pics in. Looking at these pictures I took this morning was the first time I couldn't believe that was me! It looks so different.

When I first began to lose weight, it became fun to try things on and see how my body was changing. Even a few pounds made a huge difference. Every once in a while I could find a combination of clothing or take the photo at such an angle that I was actually happy with the way I looked. It was exhilarating.

Now I have moved into another phase and it is even more wonderful. At 179 lbs, no matter what I put on, I feel like I look okay. I can relax where clothes are concerned. I am comfortable. I just feel good in my own skin.

Isn't that the way it ought to be?

Weigh In: 3 lb. Loss

This is a special day! I'm half way to my goal of losing 100 pounds. Honestly, I really can't believe this day has come. In a way I know how it happened, but in another way I really don't. In the beginning of this journey if you had asked me what I thought the odds of me making it to 50 lbs gone were, I would have said real good. But what I would have been thinking was don't bet the farm on it!

I know some may get tired of hearing this from me, but how can I keep from saying it? Glory to God! I have not done this. I have tried to lose weight for many, many years on my own terms. The only place that got me was to 100 lbs. overweight. When I gave God control, He began to change me so that I could become capable of making wise choices and commitments that I would keep.

For me not to give Him credit would be a lie and it would be fake. The only real goal I had when I started this blog was to be real. I began by taking horrifying pictures of myself and posting them for all to see. I posted my weight--yikes! I wrote about things that had never left the dark corners of my mind. I let my guard down to the world and to my God. A humbling experience, to say the least. It has made all the difference.

Thank you for supporting me. I haven't been commenting on your blogs lately, as I mentioned before, due to our lack of internet in our home. I am still reading them as often as I can. I cherish your comments. Really--I do. I wish there was some way to say thank you besides just typing the words THANK YOU, but for now that will have to do. And if it means something, please know that the smile on my face, the pep in my step, and the overflowing joy in my heart is thanks in BIG part to you!

It would be easy to look at the road ahead and think, Oh no! Another 50 lbs. to go. That is so much weight. That is going to be so hard. But that is a silly and ignorant way of thinking. Even if I were at my goal right now, life wouldn't be changing. I would still be committed to a life of activity and eating right. I am going to do that for the rest of my life. The fact that I am perfectly content with 50 pounds left to go tells me that I have come A VERY LONG WAY, BABY!

New Suit

Okay, so I'm not quite ready to lose the skirt. However, just the simple fact that you are able to look at this and (hopefully) keep your sight is something to celebrate. For the first time in a LONG time I am not self conscious in a bathing suit. It feels great!

I will have some more swimsuit comparison photos coming soon. I know, I'm crazy. But why not?

Little Eyes Are Watching

Recently I was reading a book when my 20 month-old princess came up to me and began tapping the book yelling "Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!" After a minute of her persistence I closed the book and looked at her.

"Yes, Glory?" I asked. She continued tapping on the cover of the book repeating my name. Finally I looked down and do you know what I saw? A picture of a woman running.

Wow. Just wow.

While this is not the only facet of "mommy" that I want my little girl to recognize, I will take an image of someone running over the image of a couch potato any day.

Sometimes I get caught up in all the technical aspects of a healthy lifestyle and forget what is arguably the most important reason I am doing this.



Always remember they are watching.

Weekend Away

I am just back from a trip to our family retreat in Oklahoma. My parents have a cabin in a little lake town there. It is so much fun to go and relax. The only part I don't really like is having to check for ticks when I get home. Yuck!

Anyway, it was a great weekend. I realized that the last time I was there was at Christmas. I weighed about 40 pounds more than I do now! This time I ate differently and I was definitely more active. My mom and I tried to find and run on the 5K course that we will be doing later this month. It was a booger with a couple of killer hills. It felt good to get a run in and sweat like crazy though.

I also got to go play putt-putt and ride go-karts with my husband and son this morning. Two things I would have never done before "the change." It was fun. I guess I just have a more adventurous spirit now. Yes, go-karts=adventure for this gal. Well, now wait a minute. I was even trying to talk my husband into going for a 3 mile canoe ride at one point. That is pretty adventurous by anyone's standards, right?

I am feeling very light on my toes lately. I'm pretty confident this week is going to be the one for the new decade. I don't want to get my hopes up, but it IS looking that way! Yipee!

Hope you had a great weekend!

P.S. For all those who read my previous post about a trip, I need to correct myself. On the sidebar of my blog, you will see that the trip reward comes at the 90lb. lost mark, not goal. So I only have about 40lbs. to go! However, I did some figuring and if I lose an average of 1.5 lbs a week, I will be at goal on the week of my 31st birthday! Would that not be cool!!?!

Also, just to comment on a few of your comments from said post:

1. I do like the idea of a cruise, but mainly because of the buffets, so that's out.
2. My mom and I are looking at a New England Harbor Hopping Cruise so I just might get to do both. Lynda with a Y, I will take you up on that guide service you offered!
3. We are already planning on a Disney trip in a couple of years! I know it is great and I can't wait to go back.
4. Costa Rica sounds like a winner to me.
5. We are going to go to a travel agent with a list of my demands ;) and our budget and see what they can come up with...I'll keep you posted.