I Was Suppose to Have Reached My Goal Weigh This Month

About a year ago, I thought this February would be the month that I would reach my goal of 150 pounds. I was losing 8-12 pounds a month back then. I am currently losing 3-5 pounds a month, which is okay with me. My new goal date is around August, but I just want to take a minute and look at what I did accomplish in that time.

First, I am healthy. I have cholesterol readings in the optimal range and my blood pressure is fine. I can pretty much do any physical activity I want, without it feeling too strenuous. I can run, jump, hop, skip, do push-ups, mountain climbers, go hiking, and other various things that I could not do a few years ago. Stairs no longer make me winded. Running feels good. Sometimes I do jumping jacks in my kitchen while making dinner, and waiting for things to cook. I feel strong and that is a great feeling. Fitness is fun.

Second, I am considerably smaller. I started this journey wearing between a 28 and 30 (that is women's sizes not waist size). I was limited to a few plus sized stores. I am currently between a 10 and a 12. That has expanded my choice of clothing so much. Shopping is fun(although I currently have no money). I can also borrow clothes easily because I am in a common size. I also no longer feel uncomfortable at movie theaters, whereas before I was concerned about taking up more than my share of space. I can fit in all seat belts. I can sit in chairs with arms. I fit through turnstiles easily. Being smaller just makes my life so much easier.

I have learned how to manage stress better. Sure, I have had my moment where I still turn to food, but that has not been the normal reaction to stress. I have walked and gone for runs. I have turned to friends. I have learned how to manage things in the Spark People way of breaking things into small manageable units. I used to have many sleepless nights plagued with the "what ifs", and with exercise I sleep, no matter what is going on in my life.

I am a better role model. My kids read nutrition labels. My daughter the other day made her own lunch and then told me how she had all the food groups. We do more healthy family activities.

I feel better about my appearance and this has made me more confident. I feel like I can accomplish anything these days. I also have healthier skin. My hair is healthier. I have muscle tone, and I love those muscles. Putting on make up doesn't feel like a futile task.

I enjoy my life more, now that I am more active.

So, I may not have reached that goal weight yet, but I am so much closer. I am in that overweight range still, but I have accomplished changing many of the things that I did not like about being super morbidly obese. I have lost 157 pounds. If I never lose another pound, as long as I stay active and healthy, that would be fine. I feel great these days. I will get there, but my reasons behind wanting to change have already been checked off. Now, I am off for a bike ride with my family.