NYE 2011 – At my heaviest weight
It started with a pair of slacks. A sudden moment that would forever change my life. It sounds cliché but the revelation something had to change wouldn’t be the same otherwise.
Reaching my highest weight involved poor eating habits and a lack of regular exercise. It involved several moves, a divorce, an effed up relationship that took me to California and back half a dozen times, re-marriage.
It was my ignorance and lack of education about nutrition, fitness, and effective weight loss.
At the risk of seeming arrogant I had to stop and ask myself how a smart woman like me could fail so easily with weight loss and getting healthy.
Only one answer came to mind: I wasn’t ready.
In December 2011 my scale read 277 pounds. I didn’t think much of it and had resigned myself to being the “fat girl”. But one trip to a nearby Lane Bryant forced me to change my thinking…and my life.
Around the same time I saw that number I needed to buy a pair of slacks for an event. I grabbed a size 26 and 28 thinking the 26s would fit fine but decided to try on the 28s just in case. I went for the 28s first.
As I pulled those pants on in the dressing room I quickly learned how snug they were. I was barely able to button them. Knowing I needed the pants I paid for the 28s and left angry, depressed.
I knew how I got there but didn’t want to face reality. I had no choice once I tried on those pants. Reality gave me one hell of a bitch slap upside my denial loving head.
Me at 265 pounds
In February 2012, I joined Weight Watchers. I went in scared and worried it would be yet another failure. In my first 10 weeks I lost 15.4 pounds. Since January, I was down 23 pounds and counting.
Also in April I joined the Strength Center Performance with Adam Gentz and his team along with several other ladies to take part in an 8-week fitness challenge.
It’s already been a challenging road but I am eager to see those pounds come off and discover a new me. One who is happy, strong, and confident.
Before my revelation being the big girl was no big deal. I’d sneer at the dirty remarks, the cruel jokes. I’d tell myself I was beautiful no matter what my size. And while that is partially true, I don’t like how I feel as the big girl.
I want to do more, be more, and show the world what I am truly capable of. I have a long journey ahead but I look forward to everything involved, including the plateaus and occasional weight gains.
If you want to learn more and find out ways you can take action towards a healthier, thinner you, stick around and I’ll do my best to inspire, inform, and educate.
UPDATE – July 2012
A couple collages showing progress. Yes; folks, it CAN be done.
From December 2011 to July 2012. Same images but a better perspective over 6-7 months:
Side by side comparison of last year and this year:
12/11 – 277 pounds
12/12 – 235 pounds
Total lost: 42 pounds (+/- 2-3 pounds)
