1 Year Anniversary, 85lbs and Counting =)

Today marks the one year anniversary of the beginning of a new lifestyle and a new me, at least on the outside. To date I've lost about 85lbs, I say about because it fluctuates 3lbs in either direction and I'm fine with that.

I'm thankful that my motivation to make a change in my life was a woman and not diabetes, heart attack or some other disease. While things didn't work out as I wanted them to, they worked out as they needed to, she was the catalyst and instrumental in helping me by being out there with me hiking and living life not just watching it on TV...for that I'll be forever grateful, thank you!!

In this year I've learned so much about nutrition (I won't say diet because that's a negative for so many people) and how it affects our bodies which I never really understood before. I knew that a steady diet of cheeseburgers & fries would end up killing me but not that 1,600 calories of healthy balanced eating was different from 1,600 worth of Snickers bars. The My Fitness Pal app has done wonders in teaching this point. My culinary skills are limited (to put it nicely.lol) at best but I do what I can and am pleased with the results.

I've learned that this is a lifestyle change that I know I have to keep up with and pray that God continues to give me strength because He knows how much I love desserts and junk food. I've resigned myself to the fact that I'll have to log 90% of what I eat for the rest of my life so I can see the calories and macro nutrients (that's new to my vocabulary too.LOL) I'm eating, not just tasting the food so I can do my part to stay in control. At times eating really seems like an addiction, one that I'll have to beat.

At first I had a goal weight, a number on a scale that I wanted to hit, that in time would no longer matter to me because as I was losing weight and learning the number was irrelevant. My goal was to lose 75lbs and seemed ambitious at the time, even then though I'd still be considered fat for my height by clinical charts which I understood and accepted. As I was approaching my goal weight I decided to change my goal and keep going. Now my goal isn't measured by a scale, it's by a percentage of body fat, a more true measurement of my body. Now the challenge to myself is to transform and be athletic and fit, not just not fat anymore.

Thank you all for the support, we may not have directly interacted but I've read your success stories and used those gave me strength when I'm to tired to exercise or having cravings.

Please feel free to send a friend request, I love sharing things I've learned and would love to help and to also learn more.