I just wanted to give a weight loss update since my last one oh-so-long-ago. I'm pretty much just a pound away from my goal, though I do have a goal size in mind as well which I can fit into depending on the brand and how much I value breathing. (That's non-essential, right??)
I started January 6th, so it's been 9 months. I still log calories every day, but I only work out 3-5 times a week now as opposed to the must-have 6 days a week I was doing before. We bought a weight bench to use at home a few months ago, so Dan and I have been heavy lifting together a couple nights a week since then with the exception of the last few weeks because of things with his dad. We've lost some of our progress but we'll work our way back to were we were soon enough. Weight lifting has slowed down the weight-loss significantly but gaining muscle and the definition it gives you has been well worth the trade off. Not to mention muscle burns more calories so we get to eat more. :) By the way, this is no starvation or deprivation diet. It's eating healthy most of the time in appropriate portions, but I still eat chocolate EVERY DAY! (In fact, I'm eating some dark chocolate m&m's right now which will be logged in my calorie counting app when I'm done here.)
I've lost more than 40 lbs now, feel stronger, and finally believe my husband when he tells me I'm beautiful.
So here's some updated pictures. The last is a month ago, but I haven't changed much since then. Just a couple pounds more lost and muscle gained you can't see in these pictures anyway.
Momma muscles coming along!
For a long time I was mostly just dealing with my clothes being too big when it finally frustrated me enough feeling so frumpy that I recently when through my whole closet and got rid of almost all of my "fat" clothes.
When I went to give this gray shirt away, I remembered it was the one I wore for my "before" pictures in February so I decided to wear it for one last picture. It was hard for my mind to believe how baggy it was now when it used to barely fit!
December, just before beginning,
double chin and all.
May, about halfway to goal, 20 lbs down,
feeling good about it.
At my father-in-law's funeral recently, 41 lbs down
(Dan's lost just a tad, too!)
Thanks for everyone who's given me encouragement, kind words, noticed a difference, shared your struggles, and any other type of support! It's all appreciated! I share my progress not only to share the changes I've made that I'm proud of but to encourage anyone else who is making excuses of why they can't change. Make up your mind and DO IT!! It's hard, it sucks some days, but it's ABSOLUTELY worth it! The health I've gained, the positive example I'm trying to set for our children, and my new self-esteem are all worth it!
