Aha!!!!!!

I love-LoVe-LOVE how I am feeling lately!

I had my "aha moment," finally! The last time I posted was 8 months ago and I've since lost 66 LBS!!! Even more exciting news...last time I went shopping I bought a shirt and a matching hoodie, I bought 2 sizes smaller than I wore at the time...I tried it on today and the shirt is baggy and the hoodie is HUGE on me! They are 100% cotton...time to throw them in a hot dryer. YES, life is good!!!! :)

Lets Go Back.

As I mentioned before, I was in the Biggest Loser program at the YMCA, but for me it was unrealistic to continue that intense exercise program and diet on a daily bases, little own for life. I think deprivation was a BIG part of my reason for not succeeding. For 4 months I ate exactly what I was told, and never wavered, so after the competition I decided to 'treat' myself and eat what I wanted... but then I felt so guilty and I craved so many of those foods I had totally deprived myself of that I went crazy. To top it off, I had the attitude that I know how to take the weight off fast, so when I gained the first 10lbs back I told myself “oh I can take it off in a week with hard work, 10lbs?, no problem!" But that never happened, I didn't do that work, and I kept gaining and gaining...by then I was soooo depressed that I had let myself go back to old habits that I gave up completely. Don't get me wrong...I learned a lot while I was in the contest, and I appreciate the people that tried to help, but I also learned a lot about myself and what works for me and what doesn't.

It's Finally MY Time.

This time around I have a totally new mind set! I CAN eat what I want and crave in moderation, and still lose the weight! It's not a race to the finish line this time...I don't have someone to beat, or a prize to win. I have learned it has to be a life style change “I” can live with. I also realize that if I splurge its “OK!” I can eat those things that were deemed taboo and not feel guilty, and most importantly, not give up when I do indulge! In a word, “planned splurges,” this has been key for me this time around. I started at 335 lbs and I am currently 269 lbs, that's a 66 lb loss so far...it has taken me almost a yr to lose the weight, but I'm not going to pressure myself to lose it by a certain time frame either, so if it takes me years to reach my goal, that’s ok!

Changes.
I started out making small changes that I could live with...I bought "light" everything, light mayo, light salad dressing, etc.,...I went back to buying healthy bread...bought sugar free ice cream and cut down on having it nightly, now its a 1 or 2 times a week treat I look forward too. Then once I did that I started losing without even realizing it! That motivated me to make even more healthy choices; I started working on cutting the carbs in at least one meal, then 2, etc. I switched to ground turkey instead of hamb...these are all things that were easy to do, even with the rest of my family, a lot of times they didn't even notice! Eventually I started walking, first around the block, then I worked up to 2 miles a day, and currently I am walking 6 miles at least 5 times a week. Making small changes slowly has really helped me, and they are all things I can live with for the rest of my life.

I'm Always Willing to Learn.

I'm no expert and it's still a learning process for me, but if this blog can encourage any of you not to give up, and to just start making small changes...I will keep posting what I learn as I go. Support is also a big part of staying on track and accountable too...I have the support of my husband, and the rest of my family! I'm so blessed! :)