continued....

Now that I had set my mind to this task of changing my life, it was amazing. Those first few days I experienced a shift in energy, such as I'd never felt before. I actually HAD energy. Ryan felt it too. My migraines practically disappeared...went from having at least 3 a week, to nothing. It was craziness. The pounds started to melt off and clothes fit looser. Something was actually working. I lost as much weight in my first two weeks as I had in the last 3 months doing WW! Wow.

Once I started having more energy, I actually wanted to work out and help my progress along. Again, someone who could hardly walk the dog because of a lack of energy (and motivation) was actually craving an outlet for all the "extra" energy. Ryan wanted to get fit too and we decided to take the plunge and sign up for Farrell's Extreme Bodyshaping. I have friends at work that have done the program and they looked amazing, so it seemed only logical that would be my next step. We loved it and completed our 10 weeks on October 30, 2010. I can't believe the results I got and how much stronger I was...and just how much more fit I felt. I lost another 15 pounds; cut my mile run from 14 minutes and 50 seconds to 12 minutes and 9 seconds; sit ups went from 6 to 22; push ups went from 6 to 46; body fat dropped nearly 4 percent; and I lost over 10 inches overall.

My clothes...what a change! I resorted to digging out clothes I hadn't worn since high school and could never fit into since. Why had I even saved them for nearly 10 years? I don't know...but I'm glad I did! It postponed some much needed shopping, and I didn't want to spend a bunch of money since I wasn't even close to hitting my goal weight yet. Those clothes started to become too big also...so I went to Goodwill and bought some threads to get me by (who can beat $4 for a pair of Columbia jeans!? thankyouverymuch).

We've continued with the FIT program for maintenance and to keep working towards my goal weight. It's become a part of our routine and couldn't be happier. Exercising used to be a chore, but now it's fun and we've made some friends along the way, which helps. We keep each other motivated and accountable...huge plus. We also continue to watch carbohydrate intake and I've realized it's going to be a way of life for me. I will never return to the old way of eating...our typical American diet, if you will. I can't...I've come too far and worked too hard to lose it all.

So - the big news...last week I weighed in and had hit the 50 pounds lost mark!!! I only have about 30 or so more pounds until I reach my goal weight. I used to think that losing 80 pounds would be impossible. Negative thinking like that has become a thing of the past for me. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. I have a lot of hard work ahead of me still, but now I enjoy it, look forward to it, and crave it.

Before...at my heaviest in 2009

 

 

 

At Christmas 2010

~A