It's a Christmas Miracle!

I'm down to 197.3. Totally blew through my expected goal of 200 by year end. And, I've had social obligations where eating and drinking occurred. I've been eating really clean between social commitments, being active, everything. This is working for me, and I'm going to keep at it. 

Weight Loss Journey Has Begun

Over the summer, I went to my gyno, because I was having really irregular periods. I was on the doctor's scale for the first time in years. My state of denial of what I really weighed was shattered in an instant. I weighed 224 lbs. That's more than my Dad weighs, and he's 6 feet tall. Then, even more bad news. My gyno tells me that I'm most likely in peri-menopause, brought on by my obesity. This is what every 35 year old wants to hear. My blood pressure is also high. Honestly, I felt like shit walking out there that day.

I had been in denial since my youngest was born in 2007. I didn't gain anything really during that pregnancy, but I started the pregnancy at 193 lbs. I was up to 195 at my heaviest, and actually walked out of the hospital at 193. But, then, I went back to work quickly, had three kids ages four and younger, and a husband who was never home. The older kids were/are picky eaters. It was no surprise that I cooked comfort, carb heavy foods, and the weight started piling on. Fast forward to 2013, and I'm barely able to button a size 18 pair of jeans, and most of my t-shirts don't fit. I feel gross. I hate my body and I hate myself. It's awful.

The first thing I did after leaving the doctor on that day in August was to swear off fast food. Since August, I have not eaten french fries or anything else that I can buy through a drive through window. This means I've been making my lunches and taking them to work. Upside- it saves money. Downside- it's boring, and when I forget, I wind up eating oatmeal. The good news- 13 lbs fell off quickly. But, I plateaued.

Step Two- a month ago, I joined Weight Watchers. The online tools make me aware of what I'm eating and make me make better choices. But, I fall off the wagon during the weekends. Therefore, I'm putting this out there on the internet for everyone to read and keep me honest. During this holiday season- from Thanksgiving week to today, I'm down 7.8 lbs, to 203.6. Today I wore the same pair of size 16 jeans to the meeting that I wore to my first meeting. The first meeting, those jeans hurt they were so tight. Today, they went on and buttoned easily. I'm not down a size yet. I can't claim to be in a size 14 yet, but I'm getting there. My first goal is breaking that 200 lb barrier. I hope to be there soon after the first of the year. According to the BMI chart my highest healthy weight should by 146. I still have a long way to go.