One Year Today!

One year ago today, I decided to take back my life. I was obese, unhealthy and miserable. I never left my house. In fact I had not ventured outside in 5 years. I was basically just waiting to die. I didn't think it would be much longer until I did. I was sad, afraid and ashamed.

I changed the way I ate, the way I moved and more importantly, the way I think. I cut out all "High Glycemic" white carbs, from my diet. I stopped eating red meat. I stopped eating sugar. I stopped eating processed foods. I started moving, a little at first, a little was all I could do. But, I built up to more, I got stronger and I started gaining my stamina and endurance back.

Life has sure changed in this last 365 days. I have lost 93.6 pounds! I have gone from a BMI of 38.8 to 24.2! I climb mountains, I snowshoe for miles, I hike to some of the most beautiful places in the PNW! I am no longer afraid or ashamed. I am no longer sad. The most awesome thing is...I am no longer waiting to die! I am living my life the way I was meant to live it.

I can do anything that I think I can! I can't do anything that I think I can't! That is seriously the most important lesson I have learned from this. I believe in myself and my abilities! If I didn't, I would still be where I was a year ago. I am so thankful that I'm not.

If you struggle with things in your life, you can take control. You can own it and you can conquer it. At 55 years old, I am doing it. Anybody can!

Last July, I started blogging my progress and a bit more details of my story and how I got where I had been. I did it mostly for myself, but a few family members were given the address, so they could follow along with me. It also contains the return of my love for sewing my own clothes, which I do a lot now! It documents most of my hikes and contains pictures at my worst and best! If you'd care to read more of my story and how I got to where I was, and how I managed to come back to life, you may visit... http://toasl.blog.com/