Time to Brag

I began my weight loss adventure in April, 2014. My weekly weigh-in yesterday registered a 30 pound [well OK 29.9] loss! I am so very happy with this slow but steady loss. Although I'm amazed at folks who report they lose this same amount of weight in a much shorter time frame I'm satisfied with my rate. I owe my success to a number of factors:

- first & most important ---finding this incredible site - following a walking programme to get me to the point that I can comfortably walk 5+ miles [in fact I've registered for a half-marathon walk in May] - having a very supportive husband who is never judgemental if I have an off day - knowing that I can do this! I'm sure that I [& perhaps a lot of MFPers] thought I needed a regimented plan like Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Herbal Magic, etc to take off my weight with very minimal effort of my part. Although I did have great success with Weight Watchers many, many years ago I found it too restrictive & I got to the point that I was constantly thinking about food. I felt I couldn't trust myself any more. It's a different story now ....I use my fitness pal.com not only to log in my food consumption & exercise achievements but also to get helpful tips from others who are also endeavouring to lose weight. I feel much more in control of what goes in my mouth now! Realistically, I don't expect to maintain the same exercise level during the upcoming week or so; however, I will watch my food intake but not to the point that on Jan 1 I feel I've denied myself some Christmas-time food treats. Since I've dropped my 30 pounds I have noticed a few small things:

• it's easier to get up quickly from a seating position [my big tummy has shrunk a bit]
• I feel much more confident shopping for clothes
• it's easier to get out of the tub
• I don't take up as much room on a plane [I'm sure my seat-mate is happy about this!]
• I now scout out "healthy" recipes [but I still love to scan my favourite baking blogs!]

All in all this has been a great 8 months - even with significant life changes happening to me as my husband & I moved 2500 miles away from family & friends. Christmas will be extra special as we will soon reconnect with these folks [3 more big sleeps].

KEEP ON KEEPING ON