Weigh-In ... 3 Years & 60+ Pounds

Today's Weight:  169.5
Loss/Gain:  -2.5 lbs


Where to  begin?  I was hoping at the beginning of this year to really "get with the program", finish what I started and be at my goal weight by this week.  While that didn't happen, something else did. 


I kept at it.  I may "only" be 8.5 pounds down from my first weigh-in in January of this year, but I am 61.5 pounds down from my first blog post in May 2009.   


60+ pounds.


From a girl who thought she'd never lose the weight.  A girl who reached a point where she knew she had to do something about the increasing weight, but was so scared of dieting and failing again that she decided a few walks a week and cutting out regular soda were the only steps she would start with.


60+ pounds from a girl who managed to be brave enough to start a blog, but mainly because she wanted an outlet to speak about her feelings during this one last effort without having to share with her friends she was going on a diet again.


I'm a bit overwhelmed that those first baby steps have actually led me to where I am today.  I've always said my journey is a turtle one - slow.  I've not been the gung-ho "I'm gonna lose weight for good!" go getter, but more like the desperate and fearful, I-have-to-do-something-because-I'm-so-tired-of-this person. 


And so I started.  I embarked on a journey that has taken me places emotionally, spiritually and physically I never dreamed of going.  


This was my first blog post:  

May 15,2009 - I'm going to begin this blog by saying that this is the last time I'm going on this weight loss journey.  There is much to share and I will get to it later, but suffice it to say that this is not the first time I've tried to lose weight.  However, it will be the last time. 

My dad once said, "Follow Jesus day by day, and in time you'll be surprised at how far you've come."  This has been so true in my Christianity, in life and definitely in this weight loss journey.  

One day at a time, one choice at a time, whether good or bad, will add up.  The lessons to be learned along the way are not always easy, but they are so worth it in the end.  And they will add up to something great.  

Today I finish this post with a few things I'm so grateful for:

I give God the glory for helping me work through some major food issues in my life these past three years.  I know "..faith without works is dead..", so I also feel that faith+works=success.  God has helped me to not only believe He cares about my food issues, but to believe that I am capable and worth more than I think.

I thank my husband for loving me through thick and thin, literally.  He's always my biggest fan and even yesterday when I turned down a breadstick at Olive Garden he pushed them to the side of the table and said, "So you won't be tempted".  Love dat man!

I thank my dear friend, Stephanie, for always being there for me over the years.  She's rejoiced when I rejoiced, let me virtually cry on her shoulder when I'm vexed and been willing to help me navigate my way into this healthier lifestyle at my own pace.  

And thanks to all my friends I was finally able to tell about my weight loss journey, and to you in blogland who are so supportive, especially the followers/friends that are still reading after three years.  I don't take it personally when people quit reading my blog (I'd get vexed too with someone who keeps losing the same 2 pounds for a while.. LOL), but it always touches my heart when someone is commenting who I know was commenting a couple years ago.  Wow.  

Okay, and I can't finish without thanking my mom and children for their support.  My mom came through a bout with breast cancer and is living cancer free.  She might not have been able to see me finish a 10K had her story turned out differently.  I'm very grateful she's still around!

My kids have also loved me "through thick and thin" and lately they are becoming great cheerleaders.   I've tried not to make my weight issues a big deal in the home, because I don't want them to become too consumed with appearances.  However, I have tried to incorporate some healthier eating habits and teach them moderation is key when eating the less-than-healthy foods.  My losing this weight is showing them that anything is possible if you just try, and now I share with them when I reach a weight-loss milestone and they cheer and hug me.

That's it for today.   Three years have come and gone and the weight continues to come (and stay) off.  I'm looking forward to what the future brings.  

For today...it's time for me to clean house and then relax before our Memorial Day weekend begins.  Have a safe, enjoyable weekend all my US buddies.  :)  And, as always...thanks for checking in.  

I'm still fighting and it's not over.  Glory!