The biggest part of this has been the physical part. I started in January with a Biggest Loser challenge. It was 12 weeks long. The first week I lost 6 pounds. Which as exciting as that was just really showed me how truly crappy I was eating and how I wasn't moving at all! It was a great way to start this off. It really helped me get focused. I began tracking all my food and exercise on MyFitnessPal (aka BEST website ever). I also started with Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. When I started it I thought I might die. It was so hard. But by the end of that 30 days I was flying through the workouts, doing double workout days and ENJOYING it. I lost 20 pounds in 12 weeks which brought me right through the month of March.
I lost an additional 6 pounds in April. I was working out (30 Day Slimdown which uses Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred, Banish Fat Boost Metabolism and No More Trouble Zones-Yes, I'm a bit in love with her.) and still watching what I was eating. I had all my MFP friends cheering me on and two of my best girlfriends working at it with me. The support from my friends and family has been absolutely amazing. I couldn't have even got started without them. Especially Becky and Shari. They kept me accountable and kept me going.
I don't know what has actually made it stick this time other than I was just really, really tired of me. I was tired of being tired. Tired of being uncomfortable in my own skin. I hated the way I looked, hated the clothes I wore (and there were very, very few) and I never, ever looked in the mirror if I could avoid it. I just felt like a big blog of yuck and I knew that I had to make a change. I also knew that I wanted to keep up with the Boy and that kid has more energy than a barrel of monkeys. I couldn't keep up with him in the state that I was. I had to make a change. So I did.
This hasn't been an easy journey but honestly it hasn't been as hard as I thought. And I don't know if that is because I just haven't given myself any other options then to just do it or what. Or maybe I was really ready for it. But everyday I wake up and plan my day from the workout on. And everything I eat is accounted for. And I feel good. I feel GREAT.
I went to a family wedding 2 weeks ago. Most of the family hadn't seen me since the beginning of March. That weekend I felt like a rockstar. Everyone had something sweet and encouraging to say. I think nearly every single person said when they saw me, "You look amazing!" I was flying high. And I FELT amazing. It was the first time since January that I took some pictures and just stepped back from them and really saw what I had done.
I still have a ways to go. My journey isn't over. But this is a lifestyle for me now. I can't imagine being any other way. Food is fuel and while I enjoy it I don't ever want to use it as a crutch again. And moving my body and stretching it is a must. I want to stay strong and youthful as long as I can and this is the way to do it!
I have some really embarrassing photos I'm taking along the way that I'm not quite ready to share with you but here is just a sneak peak of what 28 lighter looks like from the waist up (Forgive the crappy phone photos!) Hello SINGLE chin!