The Results Are In!!!

Most of you already know because of my Facebook post, but for a few of you that might not be on Facebook...

I DID IT!!! I can't believe it. I am still in disbelief. I have never set such a huge goal in my life and then actually come through to the other end and accomplished everything I set out to do. I am so proud of myself for sticking to my calorie limits and exercising 6 days a week even through 3 vacations, 4 events, and 3 family birthdays.

I will admit there were times it was hard physically, but I think most times mentally was much harder. There were days when I battled with myself to make good eating and exercise decisions even when I didn't want to. There were weeks when I worked out so hard and ate so good and then it would be a 1 measly pound weight loss. I just didn't know if all my hard work would be enough and I would feel like why keep trying when the results weren't what "I" wanted because I expected my body to do more. I'm so glad that I kept trying and kept going (I am still going) even through the tough times.

I am waiting for official pictures from Tuesday's announcement and then I'll post the whole story of how it all went down and how I was feeling, etc. Thanks for all of your encouragement and support. Some things have happened recently at work (co-worker wise) where I don't always feel supported, but having all of you tell me I can do it week in and week out helped me build belief in myself and to pull me up when it was hard. I knew so many people were rooting for me and that really made a difference.

It was hard at the beginning to really admit where I was body/weight wise and seemed like a long road to get to the results I wanted. Now that I'm almost there it seems unbelievable where I started. Like I put in my essay - these months were going to pass regardless and I could choose to change or stay the same. I chose change every day, week, and month. I'm still choosing change, I'm still on this journey and I am NEVER going back!! Thanks for going through this life changing journey with me!

First Day of School, First Day of School!

Matthew started back to Preschool on Tuesday. What a difference 1 year makes. His teacher said he is doing really great about obeying all the rules and helping the other kids. He even got stickers (only a few kids did) this week on his papers for being so good. He loves school and is 1 smart cookie (in my estimation of course!). He was so excited to go back to Miss Heidi's. When I told him Monday night that he was going to school the next day, his eyes lit up and he said "yes!".

I can't believe next year he will be in Kindergarten.


I forgot to take a picture of his first day of school last year, but remembered this year. I love his long plaid shorts and his cute giraffe backpack.


Matthew made this his first day of school. It was a little clothes pin of himself. He thought it was so awesome! I love it.



They are practicing writing their names this year. Matthew did this all by himself. He has come a long way since last years writing.

See his sticker for being good-only 3 kids got them. He did this glitter writing all by himself. He was so excited to show me this and tell me the colors when I got home from work.

Green gold, blue, red gold, gold gold, blue blue, silver. I am so glad he is back in school. It's something he really needs.

p.s. We have been fighting illness in this household the past two weeks. Matthew was talking funny (like something was in his throat) and then had fevers for 2 days. I took him to the Dr. and he had a severe strep throat and double ear infections. The Dr. said you could see the puss on his tonsils. I went home and looked in this throat with a flashlight and sure enough huge coatings - no wonder he was talking funny. I had asked him if his throat or ear hurt and he said no. He had been complaining of a headache though so I wonder if that was from his ear infections.

Isabelle started getting fevers this week so I took her in and sure enough she had 1 ear infected and the other half-full of fluid.

Matthew is done with his round of medicine and Isabelle has a week to go. She is teething too so there have been a lot of interrupted sleep, early mornings and crankiness around here. Can't wait until they both are clear of sickness. You take good health for granted sometimes.

Official Before & After Pics

I really can't believe the pictures, but here they are! The last two weeks I haven't seen any weight loss, but finally lost another 2 this week, so I'm at 46 total. Hoping for 4 more lbs. before convention to be at an even 50 lb. weight loss. I have a lot of work to do in the next 2 weeks.

BTW-I haven't been given the digital pics yet, so these are scanned from the hard copies I was given. Not the greatest quality, but it's what I have.

Obviously not too pleased with getting my picture taken here. I remember thinking I couldn't wait to get to the gym after work so I could start on this journey. I need to take a picture with these same before clothes on so you can see how baggy they are now.

Much better!