2012, the year I kicked myself off the Couch!

For those interested in the picture, skip to the end! (I don't judge, I do that too, then go back up and read the text!)

I debated about posting this as, for one, I am not done. It is also incredibly hard for me to post it, because it's hard for me to see myself and how bad I'd let myself get.

But I think a good year in review (for me) is a good idea. This year, I have learned *so* much and I have come *so* far that, as my husband would have it, why not share and rejoice in the hard work that has come out of 2012. I have lost 35.4 kg / 78 pounds in the last 11 months. I have one more month to go before I hit my big one year mark.

At the start, when I found these forums, I was too shy to really post or comment on anything. I'd look at the success stories (success stories and motivation are the two forums I primarily look at, though sometimes I take a peek at fitness) and wish that they were me. And that I was at the end of the journey already. In addition to slimming down, I've had to fight the internal battles like everyone else.

But I've learned so much.

Things I hoped for:
-- I'd eventually get down into a single digit size.
-- I'd have more energy (this year alone was packed with more fun adventures than any year since I was a child).
-- I was able to fully enjoy my 10 year wedding anniversary trip to Hawaii, where my husband and I hiked all over Maui and the Big Island. We had so many adventures -- we wouldn't have had that if it weren't for getting healthy.

How I did it (common question):
-- I found the right diet plan for me. I don't eat clean, don't pretend to eat clean, don't claim to eat clean. My palette is so picky that I have to pick the foods that will be sustainable for *me*. What I did, won't work for everyone, nor would everyone be interested in what I ate! I started off at 1200 calories, but then found some random post by accident that showed me I didn't have to live in constant food rage (and thus endangering my co-workers lives), and could have more to eat and still lose the weight. I've been at it for 11 months, and I've lost 78 pounds. Seems to work for me! But mostly I lived by: balanced diet, everything in moderation. I don't deprive myself, but I don't spoil myself either. If I really want something, I have it and I make up for it in various ways throughout the week -- more exercise, eat more conservatively later, etc.

-- I exercise, I strength train, I go out in nature and walk and hike and run and play. I couldn't do this if I had to live at the gym. The world's a big stage and there's a LOT of things out there still to find! I've come to love hiking! I've even got me a hiking stick! I plan on doing more of that when the weather warms up again.

-- Perseverance. I had good days, I had bad days, and I've worked mentally to not sweat the small stuff. I still work on this -- some days are easier than others, but I'm getting better!

-- I cut out all my liquid calories unless I treated myself. (I have a Starbucks addiction -- well a coffee addiction entirely)

-- I focused on lowering Body Fat % and not the scale. I weigh myself every day at exactly the same time because it works for me, and because I'm a data trending lover. I love having data! This won't work for everyone, but it works for me.

-- Most importantly, I tried to remember it didn't come on quick, and it surely isn't going to come off quickly! I had to have *patience*.

I didn't grow up overweight. I grew up skinny, and I was skinny in HS, and I was skinny in college until money problems and medical problems did a number on me. For a while I couldn't afford food to eat, so I didn't eat. Then when I could eat, oh boy was it something I DID.

According to my BF% and lean mass, I've got another 25-30 pounds to go until I'm in my goal body fat range (22ish%). Come January, my husband and I are going to be hitting it hard again. We had some family problems, medical issues, and other things that cut into our exercise schedule, but we're now both healthy and plan to hit the ground running after the new year!

I'm healthier, happier, and a much smaller me! I've reclaimed my life and my ability to enjoy it. I am proud of what I've done.

Now onto the picture!

Just a note: This year was the FIRST year in many that I felt comfortable taking pictures Christmas day! In my pajamas! Without trying to hide or pose (other than the OMG it's christmas morning and I've reverted to a 5-year-old faces) or anything! So I had to include it as a last minute picture. I will say that the Christmas morning picture is only edited to cut me out of the picture and put onto this collage. It wasn't sized or skewed or anything.