From Fat to Fit to Forty

I lost 3.5 pounds this week!

I could really feel it.

I think the whole not-eating-past-9pm-Lent-thing really played a big part in that, especially since that alone helped cut back on a lot of junk eating. I tried to focus on eating a LOT of protein, since I'm doing a pretty hard strength training routine right now.

It all seemed to work!

Today is my two year anniversary of the day I started my weight loss journey.

At first, I was a little bummed out that after two years I still haven't reached my goal weight yet. I mean, after just 13-14 months I had lost 72.5 pounds, and had only 10 pounds to go until my goal weight of 157!

But this second year I spent gaining and losing the same 5-10 pounds over and over, and then almost 15 over the holidays!

After I went to my Weight Watchers meeting this morning, I realized that without a doubt, I should celebrate this anniversary, whole-heartedly!

Never before in my life have I lost weight and *basically* maintained it for this long. I mean, I know I didn't really maintain in the true sense of the word, but I didn't put back on ALL the weight, and then some, like I have done so many times in previous weight loss ventures.

And despite all the ups and downs I have had this past year as far as weight loss is concerned, I have kept up on my fitness level, and am stronger now than I was at my one year anniversary.

Last year when I reached my one year anniversary, I made a "then and now" list that I'd like to re-post, and I have added some things to the "now" portion to reflect positive changes I have made during the second year of my journey.

Two Years Ago:

1. I weighed 240 pounds.
2. I was miserable.
3. I NEVER exercised.
4. I lacked self-confidence.
5. I wore a size 22/24 in clothing.
6. I dreaded walking up or down stairs.
7. I did not eat enough healthy foods.
8. I drank too much diet Coke, 5-6 cans/day.
9. I was lazy.
10. I was moody.
11. I had been paying for a gym membership for three years that I never used.
12. My back hurt.
13. My knees hurt.
14. I'd drive around forever to find a close parking spot.
15. Lane Bryant was one of the only stores I would (or could) buy clothes.
16.  I regularly ate enormous amounts of food in one sitting.
17. I sold my clothes on eBay as they became too small for me.
18. I never wore a swimsuit.
19. I took naps a lot.
20. I couldn't cross my legs.
21. I couldn't sit on the floor and play with my kids.
22. At work, a customer once referred to me as "that heavy-set waitress".
23. At work I'd make the other servers bend down and wipe the low shelves for me because I couldn't do it.
24. My pants always became worn out in the crotch because my thighs rubbed together.

25. My thighs rubbed together so I never wore skirts or dresses.
26. My calves were huge so I never wore skirts or dresses.
27. My BMI (Body Mass Index) was 39, Obese.
28. I was one BMI point away from being classified as Morbidly Obese.
29. I had frequent migraines.
30. The most I could walk on the treadmill was about 3.1 mph for about 25 minutes max.
31. I could not swim a lap without stopping.
32. I had zero muscle definition.
33. My bra size was 40 DD.
34. I couldn't see my belly button when I looked in the mirror.
35. I couldn't see my feet when I looked down.
36. I got lectured about my weight by every Dr. I  visited.
37. I never told anyone how much I weighed.
38. A regular bath towel didn't fit around me.
39. My collar bones were not visible.
40. I couldn't sit up in bed without rolling to the side and using my arms to hoist myself up.
41. My feet were fat.
42. I never looked at nutrition labels on food.
43. I took ibuprofen daily.
44. I have put off painting my kitchen for years because it's too much work.
45. I dreaded planting my garden because it was too much work.
46. I was close to just excepting myself as being overweight for the rest of my life.

Today:

1. I weigh 176.5 pounds.
2. I am a much happier person.
3. I consider myself fit and active.
4. I am as confident as I have ever been.
5. I wear a size 12 in pants, and size 10, large/medium in tops.
6. I can bound up and down stairs, no problem, and no longer dread them.
7. I don't eat nearly the amount of processed/unhealthy foods that I used to.
8. My diet Coke intake is down to 1 or 2 cans per day.
9. I have lots of energy.
10. My moods have improved.
11. I go to the gym 5-6 days/week.
12. My back stopped hurting.
13. My knee pain has greatly decreased.
14. I take whatever parking spot is available.
15. I can buy clothes almost anywhere.
16. I eat much smaller portions.
17. I sell my clothes on eBay as they become too big for me.
18. I own a cute swimsuit.
19. I rarely need a nap.
20. I can cross my legs with ease.
21. My kids were surprised the other day when I sat on the floor with them.
22. At work, my regular customers still comment on my weight loss, and ask for advice on diet/exercise.
23. At work, I can lift, bend, and wipe everything.
24. I own and wear skirts and dresses!
25. My BMI is 26.
26. 15 more pounds and I will be considered "Normal" on the BMI charts.
27. My migraines are few and far between.
28. I can run.
29. I can run a 5K (3.1 miles) non-stop.
30. I can swim 33 laps non-stop.
31. I have arm muscles!
32. My bra size is 36 D-C, closing in on 34's.
33. Hello, belly button!
34. Hello, feet!
35. My Dr. no longer lectures me about my weight.
36. I will tell anyone what I weigh if the subject comes up.
37. Regular bath towels fit around me nicely, with room to spare.
38. I have great collar bones.
39. My hip bones could cut glass.
40. I can sit up in bed without using anything but my abs and back muscles for support.
41. My feet are getting bony.
42. I am always looking at nutrition labels, not so much for fat grams and calories, but more so for nutrition content.
43. The Advil makers are losing money on me.

44. I painted and re-modeled my daughter's room myself, something I would never have had energy for at 240 pounds.

45. I planted my garden last spring, and plan on doing it again this spring.

46. I lift weights with the "big boys" now in the free weights room at the gym, something I was completely intimidated by before.
47. I can do REAL pushups! 15 at a time, in fact.
48. I try to challenge myself with new things all the time, things I would never have done as an overweight person (see my New Years blog entry for an example).
49. I will NOT be overweight for the rest of my life.