Completion of Week 22!

Since this past Monday was Memorial Day there is no official weigh in this week. However it's technically the end of Week 22 and I couldn't let the week go by without posting!

It's been a crazy week, somewhat stressful, busy at work and just a lot going. It would have been an easy week to throw the whole plan out the window, grab some skittles and have at it. Instead I know that I've made a lifestyle change, and when I was stressing out over whatever it might have been, I chose healthy options. I drank a glass of water, I had some hot tea or I snacked on grapes or another piece of fruit. I went for a walk, I wrote my inner-most feelings somewhere other than this blog. I just did something other than turn to food.

I can remember being on "programs" in the past and knowing I'd be skipping a week for a weigh in, either because of vacation or because of a holiday or something. That's sometimes the time when it's easy to say, I can be a 'little' bad, because, there is an extra week in there to fix what went wrong! I was amazed that I didn't do that this week. I stuck it out, knowing that I'd be going two weeks for a weigh in, and made it through, so far!

I did an unofficial weigh in yesterday, as I do every day, at least once :) just to see where I was to goal. I show that I had a 1.8 pound loss, for a new total of 75.6pounds. That leaves a whopping 1.6 pounds to go to hit my goal. There are people who are going to think I've lost my mind, but the past few days, I've considered going 10more pounds. I'm not going to, but the thought has crossed my mind that it's an option. Because this is where I discuss this journey, I've put it in here just so everyone understands that I did have the thought of continuing to go another 10 pounds. It's part of the process. Deciding and knowing for ME that I am ready to begin the transition is a decision, no matter how many opinions are given, that is only mine to make.

I have an appointment scheduled for next Monday to start the transition to maintenance. I'm not sure exactly what that entails. I have been working mostly the whole time with Kristen at the office, who is absolutely amazing. She's become a friend during this and we have found some commonalities in some very special places. I spoke with her tonight and she will not be the one doing my maintenance transition appointment. I did, however, learn from her that "transition to maintenance' means a lot more options, different foods, etc... The Zone Awareness paperwork that I have discusses the basic principles of any meal or snack. They will always consist of lean protein, 'favorable' carbs and a good fat.

It was great too, to learn from a personal phone call from Dr. Garcia a week or so ago, that I've lowered my risk factors and chances for developing chronic disease by over 100% for things like Arthritis, Asthma, Cancer, Diabetes, Heart Disease and Stroke. It's definitely been a positive health move! I just realized that was in last week's blog too...sorry!

Again, no weigh in "officially" this week, but alas, I do have updated photos. These were taken on 5/23, day 156.

Someone posted on my blog last week and I actually just saw the post. They asked about whether or not I've talked to people who have lost weight on this program and kept it off. I definitely have met people and talk to people every week on maintenance that are keeping the weight off. My comment and honest opinion back to the person who posted was that it definitely is a lifestyle change and not just a temporary solution to a life-long battle and that with the right mind-set you can keep it off. It's all about balance.

In closing, here are some pictures for you and of course, a quote, or two, I couldn't decide which I like better.

“There’s no secret to balance. You just have to feel the waves” Frank Herbert
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving” Albert Einstein

Completion of Week 21!

Today marks twenty-one weeks or 147 days on the program. I can't ever find any fun facts about the length of time on the program. I googled 21 weeks and all I get it what happens during the 21st week of pregnancy. YIKES! I Googled 147 days and I got that on April 20, it was 147 days until the Buffalo Bills season opener. Quite honestly, given the two options, I'd rather talk about pregnancy. Don't worry; I'm not going to do that to you!

The past week has been, literally, crazy. It was a long week of being on the road, visiting agents, preparing to go out of town for a convention and still a little freaked out by the 6.5 pound weight loss the prior week. I received a phone call from Dr. Garcia regarding the concern from my blog last week about the high loss. He told me not to worry, things looked good. No issues that he saw on his end. He indicated that I'd cut risk factors for heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes by 100's of percentage points by doing what I've done. He was happy with the success I've had on the program. He reads my blog and told me that I should be proud of this accomplishment as well.

This week I was (again) a little nervous about weigh in. My scale at home didn't move ALL WEEK. I had a stressful weekend and went out for a couple of drinks last night. Not the smartest thing I've done on the program, but I needed a little break. I went out to watch some of the Magic game. Regardless, I did end up with a loss this week. I really thought the NGTG might be done. I lost 1.1 pounds and that brings the total to 73.9 pounds since December 22, 2008.

It's been an amazing ride. After speaking with Dr. Garcia on Thursday afternoon and having another 1.1 pound loss, I've decided that my next appointment will be to begin the transition to maintenance. Dr. Garcia said that I'd still continue to lose a little bit during the transition to maintenance and would as well gain lean muscle mass. So the goal is still 3.4 more pounds, but as I mentioned last week, people are really suggesting to me that I stop at this point. Since I found out that I'm going to continue to lose a little bit as transition to maintenance begins, I'm ready to do that now.

It's been an incredible journey, the best thing I've ever done for myself, by far and now that I REALLY see it, I'm thrilled with the progress. This weekend I bought jeans in a size 4. I refused to believe I was really wearing a four and that the jeans (which I bought the same things in April in a size 10) were just a fluke. Tonight I shopped a little bit at Kohls, size 4 it seems to be. I bought a couple shirts and a jacket and another pair of jeans in the juniors department. I'm not sure I ever shopped in the juniors department when I was a "junior" let alone, at 40! It was definitely an eye-opener tonight. It shocks me how much the stack of clothes that don't fit, just since I moved, has grown. Needless to say, I'm finally proud of the accomplishment and I'm ready for the next phase of the program and of what life brings with it.

In closing, thank you all so much for the love and encouragement you've shown during all of this. Without the people I have in my life making it the center of what we do, I'd never have gotten through it. I'll be indebted to you all forever for putting up with me through it all. Those of you who are reading this that are friends and family, you are amazing. For all that you have said, all you have done and all of your encouraging words, thank you, thank you, thank you. There are so many of you out there that have shown great amounts of support, from my parents, my 'adopted parents', my best friend, my 'adopted daughter', and an entire host of amazing friends, spread out all over the country! You've shopped with me, called and checked on me, posted comments on the blog, watched me eat salad with carrot slivers that I pick off, watch me turn down dessert over and over again and yet, never tried to get me to "just have a little". You gave your honest opinions when it was time to buy smaller clothes, you encouraged me to get up at the crack of dawn to work out, and the list goes on and on! You guys ROCK! I love each of you so very much!

"I would thank you from the bottom of my heart, but for you my heart has no bottom." ~Author Unknown

Completion of Week 20!

Today was the end of Week 20 and I have to admit, I'm really not happy about today's weigh in. I had a long and stressful week with work and trying to get settled in the house.

I followed the program for the most part, but I missed lunch a few days. I was working on the road and brought fruit and stuff with me for lunch. I ate dinner nearly every night. I have a protein shake for breakfast every morning. I'm eating, I'm drinking water (although, not enough) and I'm occasionally taking the meds. I don't take them regularly anymore, I forget or whatever.

I also finally have now set the Wii back up and can start working out again. It's been over a week since I got in a work-out and over two since I got in a "decent" one. Unless you count unpacking boxes and moving furniture.

So, why was I not happy about the weigh-in? I know you think I'm getting ready to tell you the "No Gain To Goal" ended, but, actually I lost 6.5 pounds. I was not overly surprised, I'd watched the scale all week, and I knew I'd have "a decent loss". I was really surprised when she said, "Congratulations, you lost 6.5 pounds!" It sort of caught me off guard until she said I was under 140 pounds and I had 4.5 pounds to goal.

I left there thinking that was just ridiculous. That was way too much weight to have lost in a week, twenty weeks into the program. It kind of consumed the rest of my day. Replaying my week, trying to figure out if I skipped meals, how many, what I actually ate, etc...

The program total as of today is 72.7 pounds in 139 days. My tracker on my iPhone indicates that's an average of -0.5 pounds per day. If you add the initial 25 pounds that I lost during the transition from Connecticut to Jacksonville to Tampa, that puts the grand total weight loss at 97.7 pounds since February, 2007.

It seems everyone today had something to say about the weigh-in as well. Please know that I'm really not happy about it, although I'm happy about being 4.5 pounds to goal, for sure. This week people have been telling me too that it might be time to stop. "Maybe it's time to say you've reached your goal." "You're too thin." "How much more are you going to lose?" "Are you eating? Are you purging?" and let me assure you, I am eating, I'm not purging. I have absolutely no desire to purge. I feel like I'm on the witness stand for a bulimic woman on trial, but y'all need to know that there is nothing I hate more than vomiting, so that's the last way I'd ever consider losing weight!!

So, here's the bottom line. I have 4.5 pounds to go to reach goal. I have a weigh in next Monday and the following Monday is Memorial Day. It'll be the first Monday I've not been able to weigh during the whole time. I'm thinking...that where ever I end up next Monday might be the final for me before starting maintenance. I can't weigh in on Memorial Day, the office is closed. I'm on vacation that week and thinking that might be a good transition week to maintenance. I guess at this point, or up to this point, we can call the program a success. My original goal date was July 4, 2009. That was also the original loss goal of 62.2 pounds.

All in all I've been extremely happy with the program. I'm definitely a supporter and definitely recommend it to anyone who is motivated enough to do it!

In closing I hope you all have an awesome week. I'm looking forward to mine, now that I'm done stressing about the amount of weight I lost last week. Time to look forward to better things!

In honor of achievement:
"The person who gets the farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure-thing boat never gets far from shore." –Dale Carnegie

Completion of Week 19-Keep Swinging!

I just realized this week is half over and I've yet to blog! It's been an absolutely crazy week with work, unpacking and settling into the new house and planning for a convention for work and I could go on and on and on. I've had to be creative for the convention, yet, haven't really felt all that creative these days.

The move-in to the new house on Friday left little to be desired. I have a feeling it's going to be a little difficult to get things that need to be done through the property manager, actually done here. We've gotten off to a rocky start. Never a good thing!

That being said however, I love the house. It's perfect. The floor plan is great, the location is great and the neighborhood is great. It should be a happy rental time and if the option came up to buy it, I'd consider it at this point. The home has so much potential for an owner! I'll post some pictures after it's "done". For the most part, it's moving along quite well though. There are about 4 more boxes to unpack and then it'll just be getting stuff on the walls and the like. That can always happen.

All in all it was an odd week on the program. I didn't deviate from plan, but I forgot regularly to take my meds. I don't think I took all three doses any one time during last week (and so far this week, too!). Needless to say, when Sunday rolled around, I was a tad bit nervous for Monday morning.

I ended up with a loss of 2.0 this week for a total loss of 66.2 pounds, with 11 pounds to go to hit goal. I was a little surprised. I thought this might be the end of the "No Gain To Goal" streak. Of course, I was very happy it wasn't!

Eleven pounds to go. Almost single digits to reaching the maintenance program. I absolutely can't wait. I can't wait to have a little more cash in my pocket, as this is costing me every time I go. I can't wait to not have to be there at 9:15 on Monday morning and try to arrange my schedule around that. Although, I'm much closer to that office now. I can't wait to be "maintaining" the weight loss, rather than continuing to say, I'm "almost" at my goal.

Exercise has been a challenge the last week or so as well. Needless to say, I packed up the Wii Fit on the night before the movers arrived, but still struggled with working it into my schedule. Work has been really busy and finding time to get things done seems to have let me depart from the regular work-out routine. Time to get my butt back in gear on something. I think I'd like a little more toning workout for a bit, in addition to the cardio that I get with Wii Fit. I need to do something to start toning the skin from where there used to be more of me.

I realized the other night, getting ready to go out to dinner that I really see it now, finally now I can tell! I know, I should have been seeing a difference. Sixty-Six pounds is a lot, but now, I look in the mirror and I don't see the girl that was there at Christmas. While I still see "me", I definitely see a much, much different me. I'm liking that. It makes me want to keep motivated. There have been a few times in the last couple of stressful weeks that I've considered saying, the heck with this....I'm over it. Then I looked in the mirror the other day and thought...you must be crazy! Look at the awesome job you did at this and you're going to let a little bit of negativity and drama change it? NO WAY!

So, I keep swinging, working toward the goal, every day. Getting closer to the goal, every day and looking very much forward to the maintenance program.

Sorry this is so late, and so brief. It's late and I needed to get something out here for you guys! More next week!

In closing....and in honor of baseball season:

My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging.
Hank Aaron

Completion of Week 18!

Today is the end of the 18th week of the program. To say this last week has been stressful would be an understatement. It's probably been one of the most stressful that I've had since starting the program. I am a person who doesn't like to be at odds with people and to say I've been at odds this week with someone would, again, be an understatement. It's been a little stressful to say the least.

On top of all of that, at the last minute on Wednesday morning I needed to head up to Jacksonville to sign closing papers on the house because the title company did not give correct instructions as to what needed to be signed before I overnighted the package to them.

If there were a week I could have just said, ya know what, I'm over it....I'm ready to be done, I don't care anymore...it would have been this past week. I considered it for a few minutes. I then thought that I've known that there are people out there who have a negative outlook on this diet program. They are not going to get the satisfaction of seeing me fail on the program or on the maintenance. I opted to start this program because I knew it was something I could maintain at the end. I know what I have to do to maintain and the most important thing, I think, is that I don't feel like I'm making "sacrifices" to eat on program. I've said it before, I'm sure I'll say it again...I enjoy what I eat. I don't want to run out and have a bag of Doritos. I'm quite sure I'd be turned off by the smell as I sit here and think about it. Thinking I had support from people in my life and finding out that they truly don't think anyone in their "right mind" could manage to keep the weight off was a real eye-opener for me to prove to myself that I can do this and will do this.

This week, even through the drama, I managed to lose 1.2 pounds and .5% body fat. I'm at a total of 64.2 pounds lost and 13 pounds to go to reach the final goal.

This week I am working hard at getting things packed up to move into the beautiful new house on Friday. There are boxes everywhere, things all over, but it's a work in progress. It's all for good reasons. I'm moving closer to life, closer to work, a single-family home with some space. I know I have a lot of space now, but it's different. I miss having a yard, I miss having ONE floor and I can't wait to get in there and make it home. It won't take long...I'm pretty quick about unpacking and settling in, and it definitely helps that my mom is coming over this weekend to do some of the decorating stuff with me.

After the move and after getting settled I have a couple of weeks of work craziness. This time of year starts our convention season and we have some other initiatives going on that require me to be out of the office every day for a couple of weeks. It's going to be a stressful May. All I can do is take one day at a time and be the best me I can be each and every day at work and at home for my family and friends. Once all of that is done, I think a nice vacation to the beach for a few days might be just what the doctor ordered!

In closing, I hope you all have a fantastic week, I know I will!

“Vacation is what you take when you can't take what you've been taking any longer.”

Completion of Week 17!

Another week down. I don't have a whole lot to blog about today. There is a lot going on and I have a lot on my mind with the move, work is busy and things are just a little 'crazy' for the next few weeks.

There is stuff everywhere in my house. I need more boxes. It's a bigger chore than I thought to pack all of this stuff by myself. I did decide to hire movers for the actual move day. I can't wait to be in the new place and get settled. I can't wait for SPACE! I can't wait to not have neighbors (whom leave little to be desired) not 'attached' to me on one side. There are a lot of positives in this upcoming move. Anyway, lots going on, and this blog isn't the spot for all that.

I did receive information today on the maintenance program and how that all works. I'm not sure how long I'll be able to afford to continue that part, but we'll see how it goes. I'm not so much worried about the maintenance aspect of this, as I know what I have to do and I'm not willing to "not" do it. I've blogged before about my dad who has lost weight and kept it off for a lot of years, just simply by knowing what he needs to do and doing it. I know I'm motivated enough now to do that.

I've had to shop again lately. I'm having an issue with buying things that only fit for a couple of weeks and then that's it. I finally bought some shorts. Knowing that I'm close to being done, and having two pair that are too big, I went this weekend and finally found some. Shoes have been another issue. My feet are smaller!??! This has caused me to need new shoes. I absolutely hate shoe shopping and I can't find anything that I like. I just continue to wear the same shoes that really don't fit anymore!

So...today's weigh in was great. I was pretty sure I knew where I was going to end up and it was close. I had a busy morning and had to actually leave the doctors office and come back later in the day. I lost 2.8 pounds this week for a grand total of 63 pounds. I also lost 1.8% body fat this week, for a total decrease in body fat of 16.3%. That means absolutely nothing to me though...I can't relate 16% body fat to anything...but it's out there! It's been 117 days and I have 14.2 pounds left to goal.

Things are progressing for sure. Today one of the ladies that works at the check-out at the office told me she didn't remember me from before. When I showed her the "before" picture, she was shocked. Pretty soon, I suppose I'll be showing all of you the actual before picture that was before I lost the 25 pounds I lost between moving from Connecticut to Jacksonville to Tampa.

Once I hit goal, the program total will be 77.2 and the actual, overall weight loss total will be 102.2 pounds. I will have lost almost my entire "new" self. Give or take 35 pounds, but WOW! As I type that, it's a LOT! To know that I had that much to actually lose doesn't make me overly happy. I probably wasted a lot of years not living life to its fullest because of that. I'm just sitting here contemplating things that I haven't thought of about having lost almost 100 pounds.

Prior to beginning the program, I suffered with (let's just call it) stomach issues. Since December 22, I have not taken any of my stomach medicine. It's amazing the difference in not taking those meds, the lack of meds for migraines, because I'm not having them so much. It's rare that I take any meds, other than the 11 prescribed things I take a day for the program!

Well, since I guess I found some stuff to blog about I'll close now that you've made it this far. I just ran across someone else's blog post that listed 101 thoughts on how to lose 100 pounds. There was some great stuff in there, I decided to use a few of them as the closing quote for tonight....enjoy and have a great week!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Restaurants don’t care if you eat everything that you are served. Their goal is to fill you up on free breadsticks, extra soda and alcoholic beverages before your entrée comes so you’ll go home happy…and fat. They won’t be there holding your hand when you get that coronary bypass.

If you eat your meals with overweight people, you will eat more. Period.
If you eat your meals with healthy fit people, you may eat less… and save money.

And, although I disagree with these, here's a few more:

Getting “checked out” is a real mood-booster, even if you are in a relationship.

The first time you walk by a friend you have not seen in a while and they do not recognize you because you have lost so much weight is an amazingly positive experience.

OOOPS---I forgot

Everyone has been asking for updated pictures...and I forgot to post them! Here you go, from this past Saturday night...

Completion of Week 16!

Sixteen weeks...It's been 112 days since the start of my lifestyle change. One hundred and twelve days of better decision making where food, drink, exercise are concerned and finally, one hundred and twelve days of people noticing a change in me.

I have blogged about this every week for the past month or so, but it's still something in which I struggle daily. I honestly don't know how to 'get over' the comments, compliments and looks. It's just not something I'm used to. I was out on Saturday night, with friends, for the first time in a long time. I saw people that I haven't seen in a long time. Every time someone made a comment, I tried really, really hard not to roll my eyes, say "whatever" and just blow it off. It's hard. I've given this some thought this week to see what really bothers me about it and I think that it's that I feel like I'm still the same person inside. I guess I feel like people think I'm different and I really am still the same person inside. It shouldn't matter what I look like 'outside' and I think that people are putting more emphasis on that, rather than who I really am. I'm so "not" the "skinny girl". I'm much more comfortable being the girl who would do absolutely anything for her friends and her family. The girl who wants nothing more than for the people in her life to be happy and healthy and who loves God, her family and friends more than anything else.

Okay-so enough about that....the reason you all come here is to see what the result of the Monday morning weigh-in is. Yesterday, I really thought it might not be such a great week. I didn't (still) deviate from the program, but I'm still not drinking the water I should be drinking. I made a pact with Kristin (the MA who weighs me every week) that when I saw her next week, I'd have consumed 7-gallons of water by then! I'm going to do that!!

This week, officially, I went over 60 pounds. I lost 1.5 pounds for a total of 60.2 pounds on the program. From the time I started losing weight, I'm actually down 85 pounds...but we're not tracking that here. I've lost 14.5% body fat and I have 17 pounds to get to the 'updated' goal. I guess (it just hit) that means, if I hadn't changed my goal, I'd have 2 pounds to go, and next week, I'd be starting maintenance! Oh well, it is what it is...16 weeks in, no gain to goal so far and 17 pounds to go.

I'm thrilled about the impending start of the maintenance program. I'm happy to think about starting to add things in that make no sense to me why I can't have today. I mean, it's not like I want to add in a Snickers bar (I hate chocolate) or a bag of Doritos (no desire for them), but to not have to pick slivers of carrot off of lettuce when I eat a salad, or to have an extra piece of fruit or two during the day is something I look forward to! I was discussing eating habits and shopping with a friend this week. We discussed how, really, I only shop the perimeter of the grocery store. Only things that are "from the earth", fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, seafood and limited dairy products. I absolutely love the food that I get to eat. The other night I made scallops and filet for dinner, with asparagus and sliced tomatoes. Can't get much better than that!

Anyway, all in all it was a great week. I'm looking forward to a few more weeks of losses and then starting maintenance. I know I can do it, I know I can stick with it and I know I'm ready!

In closing, have a fantastic week!!!

You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through. Rosalynn Carter

Completion of Week 15!

What a week! Things here at home have been a little crazy, a little busy and a little stressed. I've been looking to move out of my current townhouse into a single-family home and have worked this week on finding something, getting paperwork done and making plans for all of the utilities and the like to be turned on when I move. I'm finally moving a bit closer to "life" than where I am now. I can't wait. I'm excited about the house. I'm excited about the neighborhood, and that I will have my friends MUCH MUCH closer to me once the move is complete. The house is closer to everything I do, work, church, friends, shopping, out..you name it! As you can see, I'm ready to go NOW~but just a few weeks and I'll be in there.

I am still fighting with drinking a gallon of water a day on the program. Since I had company at the end of February, yes, over a month ago, I've not completed a gallon a day yet. I really have a hard time thinking about drinking the water. I forget to drink it. I forget sometimes to even eat--so drinking water isn't something that seems to be top on my priority list. I guess I should put it back up there where it used to be. I've noticed since the increased work-out schedule and the decreased water intake I am starting to get muscle cramps in my legs at random times.

Today, as far as weigh-in was concerned was fantastic. I was down an additional 3.7 pounds for a total after 15 weeks of 58.7 pounds. I have 18.5 pounds to go to the new goal and then start the maintenance program that I have been reading about.

I'm ready to start that program, yet still don't mind the program how it is today. I have gotten a little more lax in the "no alcohol" department. There are the occasions where I'll grab a beer now and again. Usually no more than one and no more than one or two days a week. Apparently it's not been an issue! Then again, I'm not eating as much food as I'm supposed to eat and the beer is 99 calories!

I'm still having the same "me" struggles, but I truly don't see them going away anytime soon. It's a self-confidence issue that I have I suppose. I know I've had it for 20 years (at least!) and lately it's been more prevalent. I suppose because for the first time in forever, I'm hearing things from people I'm just not used to hearing. I guess when you lose almost 60 pounds in 15 weeks it causes people to take notice. I'm not used to the "take notice of me" thing. I think I've just sort of been "around" for the past 20 years and there hasn't been a whole lot of reason to compliment me. I mean, that sounds really bad. There are a lot of things I have been complimented on in the past, but none as "physical" as this process has been. It's just sometimes hard for me to believe it about myself.

It's funny, I never doubt the sincerity of the people who do the complimenting...but I find myself thinking, "ya, ok, whatever...it's just me, let's move on to something NOT about me." Yet, there are people who I call and text immediately after my weigh in, just so I can update them~it sounds stupid as I write this, but those are the people that I never doubt their feelings or what they tell me. Anyway, it's what I feel, so it's here. That being said, after I write the last paragraph, I typically go to a quote website I use and look for something that fits the topic. If this doesn't say it, nothing else could! Now, to start believing it!


“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Completion of Week 14!

Time flies...so they say. It amazes me that 1/4 of the year is almost over. It's the end of March. It's Spring (one of two seasons for us in Florida, not counting Hurricane season) and another season has past.

I can remember being a kid and wondering if time would ever go quick enough to get to the next school vacation or the next trip or the next whatever. These days, I wonder on Thursday, where did this week go?! On Sunday, I wonder where did my weekend go?! Speaking of time, today is day 96 on the program. The completion of 14 weeks of a change in my lifestyle and positive, happy changes in my life. So many things have changed in my life in the past 14 weeks, yet I'm still the same person I was on December 22, 2008.

This week was very successful at weigh-in. Today's weigh-in signified a loss of 4.3 pounds and a total weight loss to date of 55 pounds so far. On my post from December 27th, I posted that the goal was to lose 62.2 pounds. Today, that would mean I'd be 7.2 pounds from my goal. Those of you who have been following this blog, however, know that on March 4th, I added another 15 pounds to the total overall goal. That means, today, I am 22.2 pounds from reaching my ideal goal. I could not be happier than I am right now about the progress that has been made along this journey.

I am still struggling with the fact that I am the same person, yet a different person than I was prior to starting this change. I'm the same girl who I was at a size...yeah, not the size I am today! I still like the same things, do the same things and love my family and friends more than life itself. It's just 'different'. I've never really had a like for myself. I don't necessarily see a thinner me in the mirror when I look. I still see the girl who was hiding from so many things, behind a wall of weight, and a wall it was! Quite honestly, I'm not sure that will ever change. I mean, I see that I buy smaller clothes (and lots of them) and I see that I eat completely different things than I did, and much smaller portions. What I don't see is someone who is a size 8 looking back at me in the mirror. I still, just see me, with the same outlook I had before.

I think I can safely say though, that I am a more positive person today, and I definitely see that. I didn't like the negative, cloudy outlook I had prior to starting all of this. I came home from a vacation in September in a big funk and I hated the person that I was during that time. My friends stood beside me, listened to me whine and cry (lots of crying) and all of the sudden, things changed. I put more faith in God, learned to let go of my past, started to count on my friends more, rather than just being there for them and learned who I truly wanted to be.

I was asked by my best friend this week if I "saw it" (saw what, you ask...keep reading!)...actually I think I was told, I didn't "see it." I don't see how beautiful I am, inside or out. Truth be told, that person was right. I guess I don't see it. I've never been good about seeing the good sides of me. I do what I do for others because it's who I am and it's who I've been for a long time. I used to be pretty selfish, but I no longer want to have a life that revolves around myself. I've changed that. I changed it a long time ago and I'm in a better place for it.

Wow, this blog totally didn't go where I thought it would! I guess we've gone from "time" to "changes". I can certainly say that the feedback I receive on my changes is a positive one. I guess it's time for me to take a dose of my own "positive attitude" medicine and start believing what the special people in my life tell me, every day.

In closing, and I think I say this every week. I am so happy to have the people that I have in my life. My family and friends are such an amazing support network for me. There is nothing in my life today that makes me unhappy and I'm so glad that I can count each of you among the many blessings that I have. I love you all, more than you could ever know.


When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.