365 Days and counting…PICS!

Well, Its here. It’s been 1 year since I made a choice to lose weight (to put it mildly) and not find it again. Lots of things have changed along the way. My Weight, my pants size…. but more than that, my heart, my goals, the way I see people, the way people see me. I’m not sure I will ever get use to that. The look on someone’s face that hasn’t seen you in awhile, It’s a pretty amazing feeling. I have ran a few 5K’s, 2 10K’s, dropped 4 pant sizes…heck some of my shoes don’t even fit anymore. All that is really great and I thought that was the point of this journey I find myself on, but the best part, the part I didn’t expect, is the effect I’ve had on other people. For someone to say because of the changes they see in me and my determination, makes them want to change. WHAT!! You saw something in me that has motivated you to change for the better. That is something I didn’t see coming. When I tried on a dress and Blake is noticeably shocked and says with emotion “mom you look so little”. When Haylee hugs me, smiles and says, “I can wrap my arms all the way around you”. That is something I didn’t see coming. I didn’t realize that changing myself would be a good thing for them. They are proud of their mom. Haylee goes to Zumba with her mom, Blake runs with his mom. I didn’t see that coming. Okay so now I’m going to brag a little. I started on Dec 3, 2012 at 240 lbs with a goal to get under 200. Now you have to understand the most I had ever lost was 20 lbs. so at the time this was an unrealistic goal. On April 22, 2013 199.2! Happy Day, I hit my goal, was I done?…no! Changed my Goal to 180. (Again I was dreaming). On October 16, 2013. 180!! Am I done? No! Changed my goal to 160. As of today I have lost 66lbs, and a total of 34 inches but I have gained so much more…strength (Physical and Mental) confidence (that’s a biggie), I can take a compliment without fighting it. May sound stupid but it was hard for me (still is sometimes) to just say thank you instead of trying to argue or down play a compliment. I have new goals. I wanna be strong, I wanna run, I wanna dance. I wanna encourage. It’s not so much about the number on the scale anymore. Even though a good day on the scale always helps!! The last thing I want to say is THANK YOU! Thank you for every kind word. Thank you for that unexpected text, Thank you for exercising with me, Thank you for running with me, Thank you for going to Zumba with me, Thank you for listening to me. This applies to so many people, you know who you are. Now lets see what the next 365 days have in store.
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PS if the pics don't work…someone please fix! Thanks! xoxox