Sunday, July 4, 2010

Weightloss Goal Day is Here!

Happy 4th of July to all of you!  When I chose this date as my "goal line", it was just a good day on the calendar, and it seemed so far away.  Now it's here, and I'm so very proud of myself, even though I didn't reach the goal that I set.  I came darn close though, and reaped other benefits that mean far more to me than the numbers on the scale.

I started this journey in the middle of March, weighing 170 pounds.  I had never run, not even a mile.  My clothes were tight, and I was really needing a size larger.  The patterns I was cutting looked enormous to my eyes having never been that large before, and I felt terrible about myself.  I've always been "big boned" or "healthy" as my Mom would say, but I'd never reached weight or size before.

Losing weight before always lasted about 3 weeks, and was never met with any real success, so this 4 month marathon has been very, very different from all the other attempts.  Using the Spark People website, I tracked my food and exercise, staying within the recommended amounts (1200 - 1500 calories) set by my height, weight, and goal.  I used the treadmill in the basement, DH bought me a new bike for Mother's Day, and started running outside (thank God for Spring!).

When the weight started coming off, DH joined me in the journey and it became so much easier as we worked together to find our old, healthier selves.  Support at home is essential to finding success (in any part of life), so we would take turns staying home with the kids so the other could exercise or run.  We kept each other in check on our food, and tried new recipes (turkey burgers are so delicious, who knew?), and started/finished each week with a Sunday morning weigh-in.  Our yellow construction paper list slowly filled with numbers as the weeks went on, and new goals were reached.  Men lose weight so differently than women, that was frustrating at times when he'd consistently lose and my numbers were going up and down with certain times of the month (ahem).  But the baby steps forward added up and we found ourselves changing for the better.

So, here I am today on my goal day.  I didn't lose 25 pounds, but that's okay.  I lost 17 pounds and am down 2 clothing sizes.  I can hardly believe that I can run without feeling like my lungs are going to explode.  I love my new measurements (38-32-41).  I love that I have set a goal and worked toward it, and didn't give up.  My self-confidence is renewed, and I really love how I feel (sexy, tough, determined, healthy, powerful).  If you are one of the people that read my blog and commented that I was "inspiring" thank you so much, that really kept me moving forward in the tough times.  Inspirational is not a word I would choose to describe myself, but it makes me feel wonderful to think that I encouraged you to make some healthy changes for yourself, too.  And, I'm not quite finished.  DH is still working towards his goal, so I will continue to exercise and make healthy food choices right along with him!

Here's the "before" shot.  The last outfit I made myself before this started.  Guess I'll be learning some alteration skills, since I love that skirt too much to scrap it!  The "after" dress is one I've had for some time... I last wore it at my bridal shower, 11 years ago!
Thanks again to all of you for your kindness and friendship along the way.  When I decided to blog about my intended weightloss, it was with the intention of it keeping me honest and accountable to all of my readers.  But, I didn't expect it to be so amazingly supportive and to find so many wonderful "cheerleaders" out there.  The internet sewing community has again exceeded my expectations and made me thankful to have you in my life.

45 comments:

JoanneM said...

You look amazing. New body, new habits. Now celebrate with some new fabric and a new outfit!

Michelle said...

Congratulations!!! You look fantastic, and you should be incredibly proud of yourself for all the healthy changes you have made to your lifestyle.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! You look great and thanks for all your inspiration. It helps to hear someone else's journey!

angie.a said...

You're so awesome!! :D And very inspirational, don't even think otherwise. I hope you'll keep blogging about your successes (and turkey burger recipe would be good too. did I miss that?)

a little sewing said...

congratulations! I have been on a similar path and you expressed everything very accurately. Getting healthier and stronger has improved my confidence and outlook on life. I also started with an idea of what my weight "should be" and I am not there- I am still above that weight. But I like my measurements so now I don't care as much about the scale. Thanks for sharing your journey and your enthusiasm.
And I know it's not about how you look as much as it is about how you feel. Nevertheless, you look amazing in that dress (the shoes are fab).

lsaspacey said...

Congrats! You look amazing! Almost like a Robert Palmer girl from that video years ago. Remember?

sonoemi said...

Congratulations on a wonderful success!
It will be a very big motivation for me ;-)!

Marsha said...

You look amazing and should be very proud of your accomplishment! Keep up the healthy lifestyle!

Rose said...

You go, girl! Congratulations! What a great sense of accomplishment and you look wonderful!

Rose in SV

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!!! You looked beautiful before, but you look so healthy and happy now. How great that you are able to fit into a dress that you wore 10 years ago. I'm so happy for you!

Erica Bunker said...

You look fabulous! You should celebrate with a new wardrobe of course! Congrats!

onix said...

felicidades

Marybeth said...

Congratulations! Reading about your weight loss has been very inspirational... Now go enjoy hanging out in a sexy swimsuit! Have fun!!!

Rose said...

Congratulations! The proof of your success shows in the picture. You look great! Happy July 4th!

gMarie said...

Congrats! What a great job. I would love if you continued the WLW series and posted new recipes you've found that work. Thanks so much for sharing - makes me want to pull me bike out! g

gwensews said...

Congratulations! What an accomplishment!

Gorgeous Things said...

Yayayayayayayayayayayayayay!!!!
Congratulations to you! You look mahvelous, darling. Stay well and healthy. Mmmwah!

becki-c said...

You look Maahvelous!
You are truly inspirational!

Bunny said...

You look fabulous! Congratulations on this major accomplishment and lifestyle change. May you and hubby keep up the good work.

Julia said...

Inspirational you are! Thanks. You look fantastic and I know you must feel better. I've gotten a little depressed about my weight, size, lack of energy lately. You are inspiring.

Mariela Alethia said...

Congratulations! you looked beautiful, now go buy more fabric and make a whole new wardrobe!

Heather said...

Congratulations! Like so many others have said, you are inspiring and here's a big *high five* for spreading the "Spark"!! I've been using Spark People too and I love it! I'm down 10 lbs and I feel so much better already. You look beautiful and the fact that you feel better really shows. You're just glowing!

Patty said...

You look fabulous, and the confidence you must feel can be seen in the glow on your face :-) I've been thinking about getting my butt out there to prepare for the Romeo-to-Richmond 5K in Sept, but I need to go from thinking to doing!!! Your journey is an inspiration.

Jana said...

You look fantastic - and it's even better because you feel fantastic too!

Vicki said...

Congratulations! You should be very proud of yourself :)

AllisonC said...

Congratulations, you look fantastic!

Rebecca said...

Congrats on your weight loss!

Lori said...

Congratulations.

AnaJan said...

Wow, Kristine, you're lookin' great! Congratulations on your strength, it was worth the trouble!

Sue said...

Congratulations on your great successes!

Cissie said...

Kristine -- Congratulations. You look fabulous in your new body! It fits you perfectly. I've been down the same path before (almost 2 years ago) and can promise you that after a few more weeks, the weight will just continue to drop! Keep up the good work.

Gail said...

congratulations. you do look fabulous and will feel much better. That dress is gorgeous.

Penny said...

Congratulations! You look great, and I'll bet your everyday movements are more graceful and lovely. As a teacher to teenage girls, as well as to your daughter, you are a wonderful example! -Susan from Lansing

Jenny said...

You look great, congratulations!

Angela said...

Yay!! Congratulations! You look awesome!

Christiana said...

Awesome job! Congrats on your hard work and embracing an active lifestyle.

Christiana
sewamusing.blogspot.com

Bonnie O. said...

Congratulations! You looked great before and now you look fantastic! But even more importantly, the lifestyle change is wonderful. I follow your blog but rarely comment so I thought I would take the opportunity to poke my head out and say hello. You are an inspiration to me!

Kerrie said...

Great Work. I am in the stage of almost losing my way with my weight loss, but seeing your success has spurned me on. Congratulations!

AuntieAllyn said...

Hurray for you!!! You look so fabulous and, even better, I bet you feel fabulous!!!!

Annette said...

Congratulations. You look amazing in that blue dress and you should feel very proud.

KID, MD said...

Congratulations!! You look amazing, and it sounds like you've begun a lifetime of healthful habits. You go!!

Omega said...

Congratulations, you look great! Thanks to you I'm going to check out the site "Spark People" and it just might be a new beginning for me. Thanks!

meredithp said...

You are such an inspiration! I've also started that journey and you reminded me to do it. Thanks!

amber said...

Girl, you look AMAZING!!! You should be so proud of yourself as I know all of your readers are very proud of you. Congratulations on making happy and healthy changes to your lifestyle. Enjoy the summer!!

Making Changes said...

Congratulations on your weight loss. You look great. Are you still going to loss the last eight pounds?

I've been struggling to lose weight as well and belong to sparkpeople. Your post was really inspiring.