Let the Weight Loss Begin!

I decided I needed to blog my weight loss as incentive & encouragement. Here's a little background info... First let me start out with NO WEIGHT YET! I just can't type it yet but it will come- it's a goal I'm working towards!! I got pregnant in April 2004 with my oldest (Katy) and was at a great weight. 55 pounds later came a 9 lb, 2 oz. bundle of pure bliss. Faster than I could imagine possible, I was through a first birthday party. 2 weeks after that, I turned 28 and decided I wanted to get rid of some of the 30 pounds I was still holding on to. Then, what?!?! I'm pregnant again?!?! Katy wasn't even 15 months old when I found out I was expecting again! At least this time around I only gained 25 pounds! So life with a newborn & 2 year-old was nothing I could have thought up in my wildest dreams. I had no problem making dinner for Katy but when it came to me & Kevin... fast food it was. I did eat good breakfast & lunch b/c I was breastfeeding so that's how I rationalized fast food 4-5 times a week! I went to my 6 week check up and lost 15 pounds so that was a relief (by the way, Perri was 9 lbs. even- so another big girl!). But when I went for my yearly in July- just 5 months later- I had gained 10 pounds. That's when I knew it was go time... after all, I was turning 30 Jan. 08 and couldn't be getting older & fatter!! My total weight loss goal is 40 pounds! That will put me 3 pounds less than than when I got pregnant with Katy.

I joined Curves in July 2007 and had lost 8 pounds up until January 2008... that's all I did. Work out 2-3 times a week and did nothing in changing my diet. At my church, they were starting a Weight Watchers group on March 4 so I talked to Kevin about joining it. We had just let our bi-monthly housekeeper go (because I was no longer wore out from my newborn & keeping up with my 2 y.o.... my "baby" was 14 months old and had been sleeping through the night for 10 months!) The cost for the 10 week program was the same as 1 month of cleaning so he said go for it... no change in what we spent for another month! I was skeptical- more about me than the program! Then came the first week weigh in... I LOST 6 POUNDS!!!

This was the motivator that I needed! I became a "Point hoarder"! It became a game- how many points can I have at the end of the day??!?!? Only 1 rule to it: I'm not allowed to feel hungry at the end of the day. Week 2- lost 1.8 pounds... Week 3 [this week] lost 2 pounds! HELL YEAH!

Let me tell you a little bit about week 2... Easter was in there. I decided that I was "getting off the wagon" for that day. Let me rephrase that- I was jumping off the wagon and not looking back! I ate that day without any worries of "how many points is this worth?!?" Let me tell you- I felt great. I ate what I wanted but instead of 2 huge spoonfuls of food I took 1 small one & allowed myself another, if I truly wanted it & was still hungry (which I did with the baked beans b/c Kevin's aunt makes the best!). I still enjoyed some of the girls' candy & Grandma Fisher's trifle but I didn't stuff myself like I have for so many other holidays & family get togethers. Then Monday morning, I caught up with the wagon & got back on with my head held high. Eating breakfast (a piece of cinnamon toast & milk) that's when it hit me... I've made a lifestyle change! This is might actually work & work for good! I worked out this morning & kicked butt! I felt great and want to do more. I think I even got that "high" I hear runners' talk about b/c when I finished my second circuit, I didn't want to stop. Another perk- I bought new jeans for our family pic & had to get a size smaller!! DOUBLE BONUS!

Kevin started running 1/2 marathons last year. He's doing his third next month. In December, he's doing his first marathon & I said I'd do my first 1/2 marathon with him. FYI... a half is 13.1 miles & full is 26.2 miles! Up until now, I didn't know what I was thinking & thought I was just talk. I can't do that. Now I know I can do it and start training.

People keep telling me I look smaller but of course I don't see it (I only see the imperfections anyways!). Kevin hugged me 2 nights ago, and said "wow, you are really losing weight!" It was innocent, but so sincere.

I've got a lot I want to work through & this is the outlet I'm choosing... maybe someday I'll tell close friends & family that this page exists! Right now it's just me (& whoever happens to stumble upon it!)

Love & skinny hugs...