[solarplant]

Hello,

I am in a huge need of some encouragement! I have finally officially this morning hit 20 pounds lost! It has been hovering around it for the last week but here it is! 177.0 ! It's also my TOM so maybe it will go down a little more.

I am very happy and proud of all my work but it's also scary that there's still almost 40 pounds to go.

For these 20 pounds, I started in August making changes and preparing for my first 5k race. Since that time, I have now ran 7 different 5k races! I am going to run my first 10k race this Saturday! Calorie counting is what I have been doing for nutrition and I even spent a month being mostly vegan just to try it out. I think for the long term, I learned that I can be less dependent on meat and still get in all my protein. I have also learned that calorie counting is the way to go, I won't deny myself of any food if I really want it as long as I compensate for it the rest of the day.

As for the scary part, I mentioned it on another thread but I had the courage this past week to quit my job. My last day is on November 4th. I have a few things lined up and my savings of course to keep me going. It was a huge decision but I was just miserable at my job and it was a major source of my personal unhappiness. I'm proud that I did it but it's also just scary.

Anyway, I am happy to be a third of the way on my journey, I just hope I can keep up my momentum and the changes I have made to my life.

Thanks everyone !

[josey]

Congratulations solar!!! And WOW, 7 races? Good job!

I hope we will see you at Sarge's boot camp again. I am sure we can help with the motivation!

[kidjng]

Do everything that you did to lose 20 pounds two more times and that 40 pounds will be gone in no time. Only two more times. You're much better off than where you started!

Or do half the work that you did (when you lost 10 pounds) four times.

Your signature says it all, "one day at a time."

Running 7 races of ANY kind in a few weeks time is incredible -- don't sell yourself short!

And finally -- I QUIT MY JOB TOO and my last day is Nov. 4. Although I am moving on to bigger and better things, I am still nervous about the next chapter but I am going to keep in mind that I shouldn't sell myself short!

[Emerald Eyes]

that is awesome! 20lbs is a huge deal. Coming from somebody who had to leave a job because it was just tearing me down... You did the right thing. I know it's scary, but you will bounce back! You obviously are a fighter or you wouldn't be down 20lbs!

[Sophillyness]

Well done on the 20 pounds lost!

[cmwelp]

Wow!! That's a crazy amount of races-awesome job!! You're a third of the way there! That's huge!! Congrats :-) I can't wait to be that far along, too!

[NoMoreKnit]

You are doing great, keep up the good work!

[PreciousMissy]

Wow solarplant. Everything that you've done has taken a lot of courage. Kudos to you for being so strong and achieving so much!

[free1]

WOOHOOO.....your hard work and dedication is paying off. CONGRATS on taking control of your life. Cheering you on to goal.

[solarplant]

Thanks everyone, you all made my day.