My turning point. . . . .

I mentioned in my first post that some things had happened to let me know it's time to get my life in gear.  One of those "things" was that after carrying around quite a bit of extra weight since my last child (2001), I lost it this summer!  (the weight, not the child)  Now, this wasn't just some easy challenge.  I have struggled with my weight my entire life.  Of course, now I can look back and realize I have been just fine all along (except for the last 10 years.)  That extra 25 pounds weighed on me like a bad dream, day after day after day.  No matter what I was doing and when I was doing it, how fat I was, was always in the fore-front of my mind.  No, my husband never said anything nor did my kids.  But I just knew that my clothes felt uncomfortable.  Nothing I ever did to lose the weight seemed to work for me.  I figured it was because I'm older and my metabolism is slowing down and blah, blah, blah . . . . .  I had a million reasons.  In August 2011, something "snapped" (maybe my underwear elastic!) and I finally found a diet I was willing to stick with.  It was a strange thought process though, because it became more about actually "sticking with this" rather than the pounds I lost.  I felt like if I could see this diet through for the recommended amount of time, that I could do anything.  And guess what?!  I did it!  I never cheated once . . . . okay, once I licked my daughter's rolled taco, but I had to stay strong through two family birthdays, my anniversary, a wedding-party breakfast, and just life!  It was the hardest thing I can honestly say I've ever done and since August I lost 28 pounds and kept it off.  I feel amazing, normal, like my old self again but most important, I feel like I can do anything.  Here are some pictures of before and after.  I must warn you, these photos may not be suitable for all audiences!

I am NOT the one with the blonde ponytail.  Attractive, huh . . . .

Below, I am the girl, not the handsome boy . . . .

Baggy clothes and loose jeans can hide a lot. . . 

Here are the after.  As you can see, I'm not very photogenic; that's why it was difficult for me to find any pictures to post.

Please disregard the "ripped-up-chicken" hair-do!  Oh, and I am the one "without" the stick up my butt."

 

The point is, clearly I am not naturally thin but I knew I could be a better "me" than I was being.  Because I had the determination and the grit to stick with this, I feel like I can do anything, hence, the commitment to keep moving forward and being the best person I can possibly be.  Every day I try hard to remember how empowered I felt by finally taking control of my health, and I work to put that attitude and "stick-to-it-ness" towards all things positive in my life.  You can, too!  Meet me on the other side. . . . . . .

First Post!

Wow, here goes my first post!  My sister, who set up this blog for me, says I have to post a lot of pictures.  Did you notice the picture in my profile?  Well, my sister made that bag for me for Christmas so it doesn't surprise me that she wanted that picture posted.  (She has an awesome blog, by the way:  http://hyperactivelaziness.blogspot.com).  She was lucky enough to get all of the creativity in the family, as you'll soon see.

This last year has been an incredibly difficult year.  We lost a family member to cancer; she was my age.  It was a life altering experience for me because I tend to live my life in my head -- I am definitely a dreamer.  But, I really like to accomplish goals and move forward so I am frequently stuck somewhere in the middle.  No more!  This blog is my call to the carpet!  I vow to myself to pursue all of the ideas and dreams I have floating around in my head.  What am I waiting for?  I have quite a few goals so for the sake of staying focused (not my strong point), I will choose one or two things at a time.  (This reminds me of the show, "Herman's Head.")  If you're old enough to remember it, then I know you're as old as I am!

Graduation 1984

I have been a part of a company for ten years, a company that pays me to refer customers.  Though I haven't been terribly successful, or as successful as I'd like to be, they have continued to pay me my small monthly check that, in the last ten years, has resulted in a total of about $22,500.00; that's not bad for doing very little.  I see average, ordinary people every day smart enough to see the opportunity where I, for some reason, can't even seem to open my mouth about it.  My brain and my self assurance have been stripped away in these last ten years while I stayed home with my kids.  I'm thankful that I could do that, but now it's time to climb out from under Disney shows, play dates, crafts, mediation (constant bickering!), and simply being an "entertainment director."

By putting this all "out there," I am challenging myself, in front of the world, to do what I know I can do.  I do not get to put it off any more; I quit waiting as of right now!  My goal this week, before my next post, is to set two appointments (I'm sweating and my heart is pounding just by typing this!)  I am definitely out of my comfort zone.  I love to help people, and this is my way to do so.  For me, it's really not as much about the money as it is about knowing I have something valuable to share and I'm not sharing it.  So here goes. . . . . . .

It's my birthday and I'm celebrating with my family.  Thank goodness my brother-in-law has so much family -- he let me borrow some of his for my birthday!

Birthday 2012

My mom was so busy treating me like a queen that this is the only picture we have of us together on my birthday......in our jammies at the end of the day! (I don't think she's going to be too happy when she sees this!)