My Journey

My weight loss journey has been truly amazing. I am nearing one pound away from losing 30 pounds. I did not even know that I had 30 pounds to lose nor did I realize that I could lose it if I tried. The truth is, what I am doing today is not much different than from what I did on the very first day I started this journey. I am still counting each and every calorie that I put into my body and I am still working out as much and as frequently if not more than when I started. What has changed is my attitude, my outlook on life, how I view myself, and how I perceive the food in front of me.

I am a much happier person now and my attitude now is so much more positive than it ever was before. I finally know what it feels like when people say- don't let anyone or anything stand in the way of your dreams... This may not be the dream of becoming professional basketball player or a rock star, but I have always had a dream of being a very happy, healthy and fit mom. And now, here I am. I look at our lives as a family completely different than before, we are an active family now. We hike together in the White Tank Mountains and even run races and train together. It feels wonderful to love life in this way again. I have also accomplished dreams I had never thought about accomplishing before. Together, my running partner and I completed a half marathon without slowing to walk - we ran the entire thing in 2 hours and 20 minutes. We also ran a 10k with a 500 ft elevation change at 4500 feet in altitude. We finished barely over an hour and I took 5th place in my division out of 25.

I am finally starting to like the way that I look. It has taken me almost 30 years to appreciate my body and to like what God has given to me, but after being overweight for the last 5 1/2 years, I have a new appreciation for my body. Yes, my body has changed a lot since having kids, but having a trainer has helped to shape my body again into a strong, attractive and healthy form. I have put on a lot of lean muscle that I haven't had in a long time. Before I could not even sit straight up in my bed without using my hands, today I can do that and more. I did 2 pull-ups on a pull up bar - yes different muscles, but it is an example of the strength I have gained in this process. My arms are a part of me that I have always hated, but today I look at them and think, I have have skinny arms! I love my arms. It is great to feel this way about myself and proud of the way I look and all of my hard work.

For the first time in a long time I can now honestly say that I am a great example to my children of how to live well, eat well, and be healthy. Before I felt like a hypocrite telling them what they should and should not eat, however I myself, was overweight and ate poorly myself. Now I have rid myself of all of the horrible foods including coffee and sodas. I do treat myself every now and then, but it is no longer a part of my daily life. I can't remember the last time that I had McDonald's and I do not even miss it. In fact, I have a permanent reflux even thinking about that food. I do still eat some fast food - I will usually opt for the grilled or flame roasted chicken sandwiches, however I am very picky in regards to where I will get them. McDonald's and Burger King are not one of those places. I prepare food better than before, I even shop better. I have left my local grocery store with mass production of corn syrup based products and now buy almost everything at our local Farmer's Market. Yes, it is a lot more expensive, but the food is REAL. You cannot put a price on that.

I cannot believe the different person that I have become and feel, inside and out. I am proud of the influence I have had on my family. Being so close to 30 pounds, I am happy with the weight I have lost. I cannot believe I have come this far and do not know how much further I am capable of going. I just know I am going to continue to eat well and exercise as I have been doing since I started this journey on October 17th and see what happens. If nothing else, I am happy to maintain the health I have created for my new self.