An now I will make myself magically disappear...

 

This is my belt...

I've had this belt for a couple of years.

Here are a few of it's characteristics - some momentous.

Bottom hole - never used - there are three more below it that are identical.

The "strained hole" - why I never loosened it just one notch to relieve the stress on the hole, I will never know.  Maybe it was that thought process of - "I am not gaining weight...I cannot...I will not move my belt out just one more notch."

So on Jan 3 I made a major life change - FOR ME.  No special diets or plans or groups or anything like that. Just the plain and simple eat better, eat less, and exercise more.  I had to do this for me and stay that way.  I have milestones and goals but no destination but to be healthier and happier.  It has been an interesting road traveled...healthier has opened more doors of happiness and happiness has opened doors to healthier.

The next two notches above 'strained notch' were days of joy - to move the belt in an inch. Each time I knew I needed to move in the notch on the belt because my pants would drag in the back and hook on my heals.

At the top is the 'new notch' - this week I had to drill a new notch in my belt.  That brought me joy.

Other markers that acknowledge my losses:

* The two pairs of pants Lori gave me for Christmas - the button and the button hole never came close to touching - now they slide off without unbuttoning.

* I bought a sports jacket when I was called to the high council in Oct.  It barely fit (though I could not button it). It now overlaps by 4-5 inches

* My temple suit coat, which was bought a few months into my weight loss journey, also was a "barely fit" and it now has a couple inches of room and looks great buttoned.

 

 

 

TODAY I OFFICIALLY LOST 50 POUNDS.

This was a goal I had set in January.  I wanted to have lost 50 lbs. by my birthday.

 

 

Here are just a few of the changes that have helped my on my reduction.

 

• Less cheese, potatoes, pastas, and bread and more proteins. I make a lot of chicken dishes for dinner - hopefully the family is not getting too sick of chicken.
• I have not removed these items - just reduced them drastically.
• A LOT LESS fast food.  If I want a burger...I cook a burger, if I want a taco...I make a taco. Every once in a while I will go with the office group out for pizza.
• I Don't eat after 8pm...if I am busy and I missed dinner, I may have an orange or a banana and then stay out of the kitchen period.  There has been times that this has been hard and I have gone to bed hungry, but this also has taught me a lesson that I need to prepare and plan, which may mean I need to eat a protein bar around or something around 3p or 4p if it looks like I will be busy in the evening.
• I don't skip meals.  I don't starve myself.  This has taken some extra prep and planning...especially on the days that I have to be at work by 5a.
• I drink a lot of water. I drink half my body weight in water ounces and that is a lot of water.
• Exercise - There is a variety of things I do.
• Weekly church basketball night.
• Walking - not just trips to the bathroom from all the water. 
• Gym - my gym is at my building and is free.
• I remember Dad once telling me - "if someone wants to pay for a gym membership to work out, have them pay me and I will give them a good workout in my gym that I call My Garden."
• Positive attitude.  This is one of the biggest factors and one of the biggest life changes I have noticed in the past six month. 
• On a spiritual note:
• Prayer has helped in all aspects of this journey.  I seek for revelation and comfort and I give thanks for what I have, what I have learned, and for direction and happiness.
• My understanding of the Word of Wisdom in section 89 of the D&C has increased.  I do the do's and don't the don'ts and I have a testimony of the blessings.
• 18 And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;

   19 And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; 

 

 

I am now on a new path called 'The next 50 lbs'...