Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Photo Update - 60 Pounds GONE!!

Left: My Starting Weight.       Center: 45 lbs. lighter.       Right: Taken today, 60 lbs. down!!

The scales at home are showing a new, smaller number today, so I am officially celebrating reaching the 60 lb. mark!  I told myself when I reached the big 6-0, I'd do another photo update.

Initially, you might not see much difference between the 45 lb. photo and the one I took this morning, until I tell you that the t-shirts I am wearing are the exact same style, brand and size.  I bought them on the same day.  The only difference between the two shirts is the color.  Look how snug the shirt was in the middle photo and check out the fit in today's photo!

There was a reception at work last weekend and people were finally commenting on my new shape.  Instead of perceiving a change and thinking it was a flattering outfit or my makeup, people are finally seeing the actual change.  I had to drop close to 60 lbs. for anyone to really notice - which is a testament to how huge I really was. 

Yesterday as I was walking across the galleries, one of the center's volunteers asked me about my knees.  She noticed I wasn't limping anymore and that I was walking without any trouble.  As a matter of fact, I was practically sprinting across the building to deliver a message.  She asked me what I did to cure my knees and I told her I took 60 lbs. worth of stress off them.  Her eyebrows shot up in amazement. I think she expected me to tell her about a knee surgery or pain pill I was taking.

I just can't get over how much my life has changed in the past 14 weeks.  I've gone from sedentary to active, from depressed to happy, from crippled to dancing, from just getting through the day to greeting each day with enthusiasm  .... I am a calorie burning machine!!

I still have a long way to go and several layers of fat to shed but I'm up and ready for the challenge!  I haven't felt this good since I was 19! 

If you are reading this and thinking to yourself that there's something special or unusual about me or that you could never do what I am doing, think again.  Anyone - ANYONE - can claim a healthier lifestyle or change their life for the better.  As I've said before the difference between success and stagnation is mindset.  To change your life, all you have to do is change the way you think.  The rest just falls into place.

14 comments:

  1. Keep on going wonder woman!! YAY YOU!

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  2. YAAAAY!! Way to go sis! You are an inspiration! Proud of you!

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  3. I'm so happy for you, Lanza. - Andrea

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  4. You realize that you have lost a 5th grader, right?

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  5. I've gone down from 285 to 265. Had lost a total of 35 this spring/summer but gained 15 back. Feeling discouraged and wonder if I can do it again. You are a good inspiration for me! Schatzie

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    1. You can do it. Just don't let yourself get defeated and go for it - you've already proved that you can do it.

      For me, the hardest part of this journey was changing the way I thought about myself and the (unkind) internal dialogue I was carrying on. Once I saw that self-defeating BS for what it was I was able to undo decades of dysfunction.

      You are a beautiful, amazing woman who has already overcome so much in life - you can conquer this, too!

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  6. You are an inspiration! I have my own 60lb goal (one fifth grader) and I just started a few days ago. Thanks for showing us all that with hard work, discipline, and dedication, we really can do it!

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  7. Thanks, everyone for the wonderful encouragement and support! The biggest blessings in my life are the amazing people I am privileged to call friends. Y'all rock!

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  8. Great! That is really awesome.

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  9. Congrats! You look great... you are inspiring!

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