Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Incredible Shrinking Bree

I've talked about weight a few times on this blog.  It's something I have struggled with my entire life.  I have always had to work at keeping it in a healthy range.  I made a choice at the end of last year that I needed to make 2011 the year of Bree.  The time to work not only my physical self, but my emotional and mental self too.  And I've done it.  I've really focused on what I need to do for myself since January.

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!



18 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't know how or when I started following your blog (blogshare perhaps??), but I just wanted to stop in and say keep up the good work. I can tell how happy you are in your words and in your eyes in the second picture!

Bekah said...

Whoa! Huge difference in just your face! You look beautiful and happy!

Bonny said...

Bree you look fantastic and beautiful!! Proud of you!

Bonny said...

Bree you look fantastic!!!! Beautiful you!

Shannon said...

You look amazing!

Stephanie said...

So VERY proud of you Bree...

Kathy said...

fantastic job, Ms. Bree! You are a beautiful lady with a pretty face, regardless of the rest, but you look great! And I know you feel great, too!:o)

Maribeth said...

Very proud of you! This coming from someone who has also struggled my whole life with weight! Keep it up!

Cindy said...

Keep up the good work! I have been trying to lose 15 pounds forever...Iget close, then get lazy and have to start over. That is where I am now. Ugg! Keep at it and good luck! :)

James said...

Looking great, Bree!

Crystal said...

You look GREAT!!! Amazing job girlfriend!! Love you!!!

Janelle said...

You should be SO proud of all your hard work Bree. It is such a hard yet rewarding thing to do. You look awesome & are doing it the right way! Keep up the amazing work! ♥

Geneva said...

So proud! Keep up the good work!

Karen said...

Yay Bree! You look great! It is hard work trying to stay healthy on top of other life responsibilities. It's easy to just not think about ourselves. I've realized in the past couple of years that I want to be here for my family and not just "be here" but be healthy enough to enjoy life with them in the years to come. You are an inspiration...can't wait to see what the outcome will be for you!

Gina said...

This is fantastic! I have been through this as well.

Shari said...

You look Gorgeous and YOU INSPIRE ME!!

Nancy said...

You're such an inspiration Bree! Many of us sturggle with living a healthy lifestyle in one way or another. Thanks for sharing your journey with us! Your hard work and dedication is paying off! Cheers friend!

Girly Muse said...

You look great!