Thursday, January 3, 2013

Reaching the Century Mark!

Left:  Me at 288 lbs                   Right: Me at 186 lbs.
Now that I am a full 100 lbs. lighter than when I started this journey, it's time for another photo comparison.

I know I've said this before, but back when I started this journey I had a lot of skepticism.  I didn't think this kind of weight loss was possible ... especially in the short time I've been able to accomplish the task.

I still have a ways to go before I am where I want to be, but the end is in sight.  I feel fantastic!

I feel younger, more vibrant, happier, alive, and proud!  I am so different in personality and attitude from who I was 100 lbs. ago I don't even recognize myself.

  If I hadn't dropped all the unnecessary baggage I was carrying around in the "old days" I wouldn't have been able to come this far.  I still have a lot of work to do, but I am a lot better to myself than I used to be - and I am enjoying getting to know who I really am.

Candid photos are the most shocking, aren't they?
Recenly, my boss sent me the photo on the right of this page.  It was taken at a seminar back in April of last year.  My boss said she found this picture on the internet and wasn't sure this was me because I don't look anything like this anymore.  I cringed when I saw this photo.  I remember this day vividly.  I had seen an old friend that I hadn't seen in years as I was walking into the building.  He was working for the hotel where the seminar was held and I happened to park my car near where he was.  I remember sitting in the car, not wanting my old friend to see me. I considered moving my car to another area but I eventually took a deep breath and stepped out of the car.  I waved when he looked up and saw me and then made a beeline for the seminar.

Because I was so horrified with myself and how I looked, I missed an opportunity to catch up with an old, valued friend.  I never want to go back to living like that.  The woman in that photo is not a happy person. She's miserable and it wasn't just about the pounds she was carrying around.  It was about how she felt about herself, too.  The woman in the photo above is an illustration of the damage a lifetime of self-hate can do. 

No diet in the world would have helped me if I hadn't made a conscious effort to change the way I felt about myself and started to appreciate who I am.  I am a beautiful divine child of God, regardless of my size. When the time was right and I had my attitudes in the right place, I was able to stick with the Ideal Protein program and shed 100 lbs. in seven months.

People ask me the secret to my weight loss.  The best advice I can give anyone is to stop talking down about yourself and your weight  (for example, stop calling yourself a fat ass and never call yourself ugly).  Treat yourself with respect and learn to appreciate who you are right now.  Fall in love with yourself. 

After that, find a program you feel will realistically fit into your lifestyle and commit to it.  Once you're on the diet, become the biggest fan of the diet - don't whine about the foods you can't eat or restrictions you have to endure.  Approach the program with enthusiasm and get the job done.  Whining only wastes time and distracts you from progress. 

When you feel good about who you are and what you're doing, the rest falls into place!

16 comments:

  1. You are amazing! I am now using you for my motivation - of course, I am the motivation I need most, but an extra boost once in awhile doesn't hurt. I am back on program now, along with my husband. We have to take off those Europe pounds so we can enjoy another trip in the fall. Way to go!

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    1. Well, you're the lady who inspired me to pay it forward! I know you are more than up to the challenge and ready rocking Europe in no time!

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  2. You are AWESOME! It's time to turn the tables - Now that I have grown up... I want to be JUST LIKE YOU!!!!

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    1. I still want to grow up to be JUST LIKE YOU! So, with two of us running around, it's going to creep out our families.... but think of the fun we'll have!

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  3. I am proud of you. I'm sure it hasn't been easy. Way to go!

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    1. Thank you, Joe! My friends and their support have helped me on this journey in more ways than they'll ever know.

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  4. Congrats! I read your blog every week. It helps me stay motivated. Thank you.

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    1. I am so glad you're still here and still motivated! I wanted to start this blog to help others and show them what was possible. It means a lot to know you are here! I'm wishing you all the success in the world.

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    2. I am doing great thanks to Ideal Protein. I am down 45 pounds, I haven't been at this weight for about 20 years. Still a long ways to go, but I will get there.

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    3. 45 is awesome progress.... and that's about where I was when people FINALLY started noticing the change in my shape. I'm glad you're doing well - it won't be long before you reach your 100 lb. milestone (if that's how far you want to go.)

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  5. I am SO freaking PROUD of YOU!!!!!!

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