A Year Today

July 11, 2012 was the first time I ever hit "Publish" on a post in Blogger.

I really had no gameplan set for this blog and my weight loss.
All I knew was that I came across Mama Laughlin's blog through Pinterest and it affected me to my core.

I was at a point in my life where I was constantly yo-yo-ing between 190 and 198 pounds and I needed to get serious about losing weight.
I was unhappy with myself and hated what I saw in the mirror.
But I was also unmotivated.
I wanted an easy, fast, and painless effort to melt the pounds off.
I was lazy.

May 13, 2012 - My first Mother's Day

I am a huge believer, in that, in order to really lose the weight and get healthy, YOU are the only one that can do it for YOU.
You have to want it bad it enough.
When it clicks, it just clicks.

After the constant back and forth in the 190's and not really getting anywhere, Mama Laughlin's posts came at the perfect time.
I stayed up way too late one night pouring over each post and bawling.
This post, in particular, resonated in my soul and it just clicked for me.

After 9 long post pregnancy months, I decided I was sick of this weight and needed to make a change.
A real change.

June 22, 2012 - My son, Royce was officially 9 months old!

ML talked about how some days she didn't want to work out or eat right or just blow it, and it was the people that read her blog that motivated her, held her accountable, and complimented her.
I knew I needed that.
I needed accountability.

So, to show how serious I was, I started this blog!
Thus starting on my healthier journey.

I started out walking in the mornings and the evenings.
Which then turned into downloading the Couch to 5k app.
Which then turned into running 3 miles straight without stopping.
Which then turned into training for and completing a Half Marathon...

 
I started out doing the occasional jumping jacks, pushups, crunches, lunges...
Which then turned into turning on Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred.
Which then turned into the occasional lifting weights.
Which then turned into strength training 4 times a week...

I started out cleaning up my eating.
Which then turned into downloading My Fitness Pal.
Which then turned into learning about all the healthier options out there.
Which then turned into making healthy eating a lifestyle...

And with all of these combined, it turned into me losing 45 pounds in this past year!!!

As I look back over this past year, I can remember starting out and feeling like I'd never get to where I am today.
With each slow pound lost and each plateau, I could only dream one day I would start to feel comfortable in my own skin.
I would get down that my progress was slow...
But I would NOT get defeated!!

This was my mantra for a loooooong time.
It helped me to keep on keeping on.
It made me realize that I couldn't just quit because I didn't lose 45 pounds in one month.
If I just said "Screw it" after each week of only 1 pond lost or plateauing for weeks at a time you know where I'd be today?!?
Still at 190-198 pounds.

That's truth, people!!
Don't stop when you don't see results.
PUSH HARDER!!

I'm not where I want to be in terms of what the scale tells me.
I'm 5'3 and weigh in anywhere from 145 - 150 these days.
BUT I feel really good about how my clothes fit, how I look and how I feel.
That, to me, is what defines my journey, not a number on the scale.
I took my measurements this morning and compared them to a year ago.
I lost 30 1/2 inches overall!!!
That is just craziness to me!!
So I'm VERY pleased with where I am at today.

Take a walk down memory lane with me, if you will, over this past year...

July 12, 2012 - 190 pounds

August 2012

September 2012

October 2012

November 2012

December 2012

January 2013

February 2013

March 2013

April 2013

May 2013

June 2013

Today, July 11, 2013

And just because we all love some B&A's...

Not only have I accomplished (and still accomplishing) what I set out to do with this blog...
I have met some amazing people and friends.
Something I had not planned on doing.

Sure, I wanted people to read and help hold my chubby self accountable.
But I hadn't anticipated meeting some pretty spectacular friends while doing so.
For that, I am truly grateful!
I really cherish YOU for your words of encouragement, your strong advice, your constant challenges and your inspiring efforts!
I have honestly enjoyed getting to know some of you on a more personal level.
And it is my honor to call you a FRIEND! (Even if it is labeled as a BBF...we'll all meet one day, I'm sure of it!)

My, what a year it has been!!

And here's to the next year of being Stronger, Faster, Farther...

(and the next, and the next, and....)