One year later....

WARNING: LONG POST.

(before and current pics to come later).... I just have to re-read how to post.

One year ago today, I was playing tennis with my kids, and decided to snap some photos to capture the moments. Photography is a huge hobby of mine, so I always have my camera. Later, I reviewed and was disgusted with myself, and the way I looked. Fat, unhealthy, and unhappy. I had an epiphany, a wake up call, a slap in the face. Whatever you want to call it. I decided then and there, I would not turn 40(ouch!), looking like that.

I have lost weight before. I gained back most of it. I was having a tough, REALLY tough time in my life. I found myself eating a bag of chocolate chips, while laying on the couch. Or, not paying attention to what I was eating. Or, worse of all just eating until I was uncomfortably STUFFED! Plus, no exercise. Sure, I would play tennis with my kids, or basketball, but, it didn't matter because I was not in any way eating healthy. Sometimes I would eat veggies, and my kids eat pretty healthy (even though I wasn't...go figure). But, not every day, and certainly not without a high calorie meal to go with it. Interestingly enough, I have always loved to drink water, but it too didn't matter much, seeing as how my meals were so terrible.

Oh boy, has that changed!! Now, some days, I have to REMIND myself to eat. Plenty of days, I go.."oh, you know what, I forgot to eat today." Yes yes I know it's not a good thing for my metabolism and what not, and I don't recommend it. The point is that that is a HUGE change! I was never big on fast food and I have always cooked a lot, but today marks one year since I have had ANY fast food of any kind. Not a french fry has touched my lips, unless you count homemade sweet potato fries. Soda, maybe once a week if I have a coupon, or if we are having a bbq, or something like that, and it's always diet. In fact, it's been about 3 weeks since I have had soda. I still eat chocolate, but now its chocolate that comes in a protein bar, or protein shake. Veggies are now a staple. Plenty of times, I eat meat, veggies and water for dinner. Oh, now, I drink about a gallon of water a day! I jokingly said I need to install a water cooler upstairs, so I don't have to keep refilling my cup at the fridge. Lol

Not to forget...my exercise has DRASTICALLY CHANGED. I exercise roughly 5 days a week. It has become a part of my daily life. Swimming, weights, walking, hiit, running, I've done it all, and then some. I MAKE myself take rest days because it reduces the risk of injury. Know what I did today? Started week 6 of a 5k training program, where I had to run for a total of 21 minutes. At the end of the program, I should be able to run for 30 minutes straight. Then I plan on moving on to a 10k training program. Me! A runner! Blows my mind! I don't necessarily will enter a 5k or a 10k. Right now, it's a weight loss tool, but who knows!

I'm pleased as (diet) punch with myself. It hasn't been easy, but it's been worth it. I wanted to have lost more by now but, plateaus are a pain in the a**. Yep, been there. But, I refuse to give up. That's why I started running. Calorie blaster! I am close to goal, and maybe I will push it back even further. Maybe make my goal weight even less. But for now...I AM PROUD.

Stats:
starting weight: 190 (my BMI put me in the overweight category)
current weight: 157( BMI is right on healthy category) I was hoping for 155 for goal, but I might shoot for 149. We'll see.
Starting size: 14
Current size: 6 (first time EVER at this size)