9 months and 56lbs gone forever!!!
 

I have been dreaming of the day that I could say I finally made it!
9 months ago I was 216lbs, I was unhappy with myself, my life and I knew I had to change it.
This has been a journey of self discovery. Not only did I shed the pounds but as they came off, I started finding me. For 20 years I had devoted myself to being a mother and a wife but I forgot about taking care of myself and at 41 years old (then) it was time to find me.
9 months later, I am still working on me but I am so much happier with how I look and feel about myself.
When I started I could not look at how far I needed to go, I could only look at losing 5lbs at a time. I made a commitment to myself that this time was for me and I was going to do it.
I choose calorie counting because it was free, easy and allowed me to eat pretty much what I wanted as long as it fit in my calories. After many broken promises to myself to begin exercising, at the end of July, I decided I was worth the effort and began getting up 5 days a week at 5:30 to get my exercise in. It was not easy but so worth it.
I started weighing myself once a week but now I weigh once a day to hold myself accountable and remind myself daily what my goal for the day is.
According to the BMI charts I am still overweight, however, I have new goals and they are to get fit and buff at 42. This summer when I wear shorts, I want the jiggle in my legs and arms to be replaced with muscle.
It has not been easy but I am so proud of myself for hanging in there. I cannot express my gratitude to 3fatchicks. Without all the love and support on this site I would not be doing the happy dance today.
I plan to continue on with my current food plan through the holidays to keep my eating in check.
I do not have many pictures of myself before so this one is from my daughters graduation in May 2010.
To all the newbies just starting, I want you to know, if I can do it, you can too!!!

WTG awesome job!!

Congratulations! That's quite an accomplishment!

Great job! Congrats on all your hard work, it has really paid off :)

Big difference NEMom! You're looking really good!!! :broc: And I totally agree, 3FC makes a world of difference for me too :)

congrats!

you look so incredibly happy in the latest picture!! that must be an amazing feeling!! way to go :-)

Well done :)

AMAZING job!!!! <3 you look good!!!

NEmomni have to share with you that every time I see someone respond to this thread, I think "wow, she just had a baby and she lost baby weight, placenta weight, extra water weight.... And so on...". And then I think, "man.... That's a lot of baby weight! Even I didn't lose that much when I had a baby." (I lost 38 pounds with mine both times within a week or two of giving birth.)

Then I realize, "oh, she was able to lose the 56 pounds in 9 months! I get it now!".

Weird me...


Anyway, congrats to you! You've done great! And you look great!

You've done amazing and looking great! :congrat:

great job!! you should be very proud of yourself!

Congratulations!! You look great!

Yay! Awesome job!

You are doing an amazing job. You look great!