My Weight Loss Journey

I was always the "big girl" out of my group of friends. Sure, some may have called me "pretty" and I was popular, but I just didn't fit. I stuck out like a sore thumb, surrounded by the beautiful, tiny sorority girls who were my best friends. And that's just the way it was, for a long time, at least--until one day, I decided that it was time to break out of the stereotype that I created for myself. It was time for a change--a HUGE change. 

My whole "weight loss" journey started almost 2 years ago. It was May of 2010, just weeks after I graduated with my Bachelor's degree in nursing--my biggest accomplishment thus far. I should've been happy, right? Well, I was far from it. Distraught over the lack of jobs falling in my lap, I became lazier and lazier as the days went by. Thankfully, my mom saw me slipping into this rut that I was in and pulled me out. She may have had to use some harsh words and I may have had to shed a few tears, but I looked in the mirror that day and realized how unhappy I was with who I had become. And just like that, something clicked in my head, and I realized what I had to do. 

I know what it's like to walk into a store, looking for cute outfit to wear out with your friends, but only leaving empty handed because they don't make clothes in your size. I know what it's like to so desperately want to fit into a bikini so you're not the only girl on Spring Break wearing a one piece. I know what it's like to look in the mirror and be ashamed at what you see, because those pounds just keep adding on. I know what it's like to eat because you're stressed, eat because your feelings are hurt, and to just eat for no reason at all. And I definitely know what it's like to look at a closet full of clothes, not knowing what you're going to wear that day because not a bit of them fit you anymore. I know. 

But I also know what it's like to lose 80 pounds. I know what it's like to drop 5 dress sizes. I know what it's like to go from a size 16 on a skinny day to a size 8. I know what it's like to wear a bikini at the beach (and still be a little self conscious, but rock it anyway.) I know what it's like to watch those numbers on the scale drop, and drop, and drop. I finally know what it's like to be able to share clothes with my sister and my friends. I know what it's like to have people not recognize you because you've essentially lost an entire elementary sized kid. I know what it's like to cry when you reach your goal weight, because you have worked so hard for that moment. 

More than anything else I write on this blog, I want people to be encouraged by my story. I don't post it for the glory of it all, I post it to reach out to that girl who was in my shoes...the one who needs that little push to start her own journey. It's possible. If I can do it without an extreme diet or surgery, you can do it. 

How I did it (and am still doing it) and what worked for me...counting calories. Download MyFitnessPal and use it religiously. Join a gym. Make a ballin' playlist that keeps you motivated while working out. Make friends to keep you accountable when working out. Make friends who want to run/train/etc with you. Set goals for yourself, but also set rewards for yourself. For each pound lost or each workout completed, put a dollar in a jar and treat yourself to a new pair of shoes or a massage at each milestone. Don't ever give up.

I'm going to share a few links of my favorite posts regarding my weight loss...from diet tips, to my story, to work out music. 

The first time I posted by whole story for the whole world to read: click here. 

My diet and workout tips, per request from my readers: click here.

The post where I got on my soap box about weight loss: click here. 

My every day struggles through weight loss: click here. 

I'm currently in the process of losing 15 more pounds, so join me on this journey! We can do this together. It all starts with a decision to change your life--are you willing to?

My before pictures:

My weight was around 235-245 lbs in these pictures. 

I fluctuated back and forth but stayed around that range. 

These pictures span from freshman year of college to senior year, 2006-2010. 

And a few of my "After" pictures...

maybe I should call these the "During" pictures:

These pictures are within the past year, from about May 2011 up until the present.

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well."

Psalm 139:14

This is My Weight Loss Journey