Geronimo!

Way back at the beginning of the year, one of my resolutions was to complete an obstacle course in the trees. The weather finally cooperated and I was able to achieve my goal over the weekend.

Before I go too much farther, let's dive back in time. In 2006, I went to the obstacle course park but didn't particpate. The truth was, I had the athletic prowess of a potato. I also didn't want to face the embarrassment of not being able to haul my large bum around in the trees. So all that really remains of that trip is this photo of me at the park, trying to look happy about not participating.



Fast forward two years and 70 lbs later, I came back to the park on Saturday and completed the entire course, all the way up to and including the black level. My body has changed, there's no doubt. But my mind's changed, too. I could've done that course at any weight. I wasn't too heavy; my belief in myself was too light.

At any rate, here are the pics of my adventure. My apologies to dial-up users :)


You want me to go where?



Soon enough, I was swinging through the trees. Literally.



DontlookdowndontlookdownDONTlookdown!



Hey, I can see light through my thighs!



If you look carefully, you can see the white-knuckled holy-crap grip I have on the rope. Swinging logs = not my friend.



Just to give you an idea of how high up I was...



Zip lines are so freaking fun!



Climbing down towards the end.



Finally, me on the same bridge as in 2006. This time, 70 lbs lighter and 100% geekier in a climbing harness.

Sixty-nineth Weigh-in :)

A picture is worth a thousand words...



I lost 3.2 lbs this week, putting me past my goal of 135 lbs and then some.

Goal goal goal goal goal goal omigosh I MADE GOAL!!!!!!!!!



That's me, my goal charm, and a big goofy smile on my face. When I received it at the meeting I couldn't wipe the grin off my face. I thought it likely that I'd cry, but surprisingly, I didn't. I had practiced my speech for a month and I managed to deliver it without nary a sniffle.

After the meeting, I had a nice heart-to-heart with my leader. She has been my rock throughout the whole thing. She's kind, funny, supportive, and personable. She's the kind of leader I wish everyone had. I'm not a huggy person and go out of my way to avoid it, but I freely gave her one. It felt so good to acknowledge the energy and strength she gave me through that one embrace.

When I got out of the meeting, I was so gosh-darned proud you couldn't drag me off the cloud. I called my husband immediately to let him know the good news. He congratulated me and told me to look in the trunk of the car. When I got to the car, I found a bouquet of flowers and a card telling me how proud he was of me. For the first time that day, I started to cry. And then I noticed that he was parked behind me on the scooter. He'd come out to be with me on my special day.

This leads me to my special accolades section. I'll be posting my before and after pics, but I really need to thank a whole lot of people first.

First and foremost, to my husband. I really couldn't have had a better partner in all of this. He has loved me no matter what my size was. He never pushed, never belittled, never suggested that he didn't love me one ounce less. During all my past diet attempts, he always supported me, no matter how crazy the diet I'd chosen was. And when I decided to go on Weight Watchers again, he was by my side. He made me breakfast, he'd hide his treats, if he wanted fast-food he'd have it outside of the house. When I wanted to start exercising, he started, too. I never asked him to do these things. He just did them. Every step of the way he's been with me. Words cannot describe how much I love you, my dear. You are the best friend I've ever had.

Next, to Weight Watchers, my leader, the receptionists, and the meeting members. For just about every Saturday morning for the last year, I've been up bright and early to the meetings. The support, smiles, and inspiration I've received during the weekly meetings are a cornerstone of my success. Weight Watchers has made this whole thing possible.

Last, to my blog readers and to all the gals and guys on the WeightWatchers.ca forums. I love each and every one of you. For reading my blog, giving me props when I was down, supporting me through tough times, cheering me on and even suffering through some of my more long-winded posts. Let's not forget the kicks in the bum. I've received those, too, and though it smarted at the time, it was what I needed most.

Okay, so now that I'm crying like a baby, how about some before and after shots?





Holy fricken wow. I look at those pictures and it's hard to imagine that's what I used to be - 211 lbs at my highest. There was a time when I couldn't remember what it was like to be thin. And now look at me.

It has been one year and four months since I started this journey. To say that it changed my life is an understatement. I am a new person inside and out. As the layers melted away, I found someone worthwhile inside.

Thank you, Weight Watchers. You gave me the tools to take back my life.

Progress Pictures: 60lbs

I thought it was about time to crawl out from under my shy rock and post some progress pics. I even screwed up the courage to go digging for old unflattering shots. I found a doozy, too.



On the left is me wearing a shirt that I shouldn't have ever tried on. Mr. Trim, bless him, had bought it for me in the largest babydoll size he could get. I put it on because it was a Christmas present and bravely let it all hang out. Literally. It was one of my more embarrassing "overweight" moments.

On the right...that's me today, 60 lbs lighter. Wearing the same shirt I swore I'd never wear again after that fateful Christmas. I'm looking pretty hot in it, too. I have neck things!!!

And the cookbook I'm holding? I received it the same day as the shirt. I found it this evening while I was clearing out some clutter and tossed it on the donation pile. Then I found that old picture of me and I knew it was a sign.

After Mr. Trim took my picture tonight, the cookbook went back into the donation box. The shirt and my new look...well those I'm keeping :)

Progress Pictures: One year later

Though I'm not much further down since the last time I posted a progress picture, I felt like I needed the boost just to see just how far I've come in a year. And how far I've come!

The one on the left is me at around 204lbs, a month before I joined Weight Watchers. The one on the right is me today.



I didn't know I had a double chin. Fortunately, I lost it and gained something else...a jawbone. Ha!

Progress pictures: 50 lbs

As promised, a photo from my fancy night out in my new duds. After all my protestations, I wound up getting an almost sleeveless shirt, haha.



Anyways, the one on the left is me at my heaviest (sorry it's a repeat; there's not many of me when I was heavy) and the one on the right is after 50 lbs gone.

Oh, and thanks again everyone for your fashion help. I'm sorry I wasn't able to order the winning dress. Next year I need to start earlier!

Six months

Today is a special day. Six months ago, I plucked up the courage and walked through the door of my local Weight Watchers. Shortly thereafter I picked up the March/April issue of the Weight Watchers magazine. In the issue was an article about how to make changes stick. I read it, and re-read it, and never forgot one of the "secrets" the article revealed: patience.

It said the average amount of time people would stick with something before going back to their previous habits was 3 to 6 months. But, after 6 months, they were more apt to stick with it. I did as the article suggested and promised to myself that I'd make it to 6 months.

I kept that promise and today I hardly recognize myself. I feel fitter, I look better, and I'm prouder. It was a hard promise to keep and I often had my doubts, but it got easier and more of a habit as time went on. Which is what, I suppose, the article was saying. Stick with it long enough and you'll do it by rote.

Though I was going to post a generic inspirational image to mark this day, I thought it more fitting to post another set of progress pics to illustrated just how far 6 months can take you. Here's to another six months. I've stuck to it until now, and I'll stick to it through to goal.

Left: Christmas 2006, 204 lbs
Right: August 2007, 173 lbs
(and yes, that's a Wii controller in my hand)

Progress pictures of my 10%

I did promise that I'd post some before and after pics as soon as I achieved my 10%. So here they are! My "before" picture was taken late last summer on a camping trip. My 10% picture was taken yesterday. I wore the same ol' clothes and tried to strike the same pose. In fact, I don't wear those clothes anymore because they're way too baggy! I really must get a nicer picture up here. Maybe after I've gone shopping? :)