When I feel like tapping a nap rather than working out...I need to look at these pictures and remind myself what a difference everyday makes!  Here are some thoughts about my weightloss journey so far...and what I found to work and not work.  Still figuring it out as I go...but at least I'm back to trying again!

When did I hit my “rock bottom”?
My rock bottom moment was on my birthday of 2008. A friend had a Luai party and everyone was planning on wearing their bathing suits and grass skirts. Well being a “bit on the plump” side I decided just to get a lei and that would be my Hawaiian wardrobe.

 So I get to the party, excited to see my friends, yet it was soo depressing to see all these women who were confident in their bodies having fun and there I was sitting with my feet in the pool. I vowed then and there that next year I would wear a bikini to my friends Luai party.

What was my plan for 2009?
So I started watching my calories and dropped 10 lbs by Labor Day...met my first mini goal.  Felt great, was on my way to losing some more...and then my world collapsed when my mom suddenly passed away.  I spent the next 3 months just trying to keep my head above water and not cry at the drop of a hat.  End up gaining almost all of it back.

Did I meet my goals?
I met the first 2 goals, then backslide a bit, missed the birthday goal by 10 lbs and then only lost another 7 lbs thru labor day and then started backsliding to where I ended the year. It seems like I still feel the need to reward myself for meeting a mini-goal by splurging and enjoying all the foods I used to do and not exercising regularly if at all. Sometimes those splurges easily feel all too comfortable and I get back to how I used to be which lead me to my heaviest weight.


Why didn't I meet those goals...what stopped me?
Besides the whole treating myself with food for loosing weight thing?  (now that I write that it sounds awful!)  Basic motivation is the toughest for me. I can be a positive person and often have to pat myself on the back for the little things I do everyday in the right direction, just to keep myself from slipping back to my unhealthy patterns.
What about 2009 did not work?
I tend to have patterns where I go really good, reach a mini-goal I set for myself and then “take a break” and backslide 5-10 lbs in the wrong direction.

What are my weaknesses?
I like really good burgers and fries….and Reeses products: cups, eggs, pieces…anything with chocolate and peanut butter basically.

What are my strengths?
I used to keep a spreadsheet of all my foods, my daily weight, and when I exercised and how many calories I burned. I liked being able to see the relation between what I lost that week and the calories I put in my body. Working out definitely worked. Although I didn’t make my weight goal, I continued to shrink while working out. It IS true! I also started the C25K program, and got up to running 5 minutes at a time, then had some ankle trouble and never got back to it. I know that if I want to see results, whether it’s on the scale or by looser fitting clothes, I have to work at it. Nothing is free...and that holds truer than anything when it comes to losing weight and being healthy.