A Year In Review

I'm not sure how much time I'll have to wrap up this year's blog before the end of the week.

But, wow.

I'm not sure I really thought I could do it.  I did lose some good weight a little while before getting pregnant with P but I'm not sure I thought I could REALLY do it. 

For those of you who don't know I've been working out for YEARS in vain (I'm talking like 7 years here people).  Trying to do small diet modifications, but also working out daily in hopes it would do something, and it did nada.  So, what worked this year.  Let me narrow it down.

1.  Weight watchers.  This was huge.  I'm a a busy mom with 3 kids, and a part time job.  I really take both of those areas quite seriously which takes up a TON of time.  Weight watchers was something I could rely on to help me know what I could/couldn't eat.  The first month of this year I gained like 5 pounds just trying to do it on my own.  I, honestly, was too busy to listen to my system.  I'd get caught up in feeding them or feeling so down trodden I'd just eat a whole horse.  Ok, maybe not.  But weight watchers helped me realize proper portioning.  Wasn't a big fan of the meetings, but the point system helped a lot.

2.  Eat healthy.  During the middle of the year (as you can see on my delightful graph to the right) I got caught-up eating nutrasweet fiber filled foods that aren't good for you, but have very low point values.  This isn't a way to lose weight, and it sounds like weight watchers figured that out too.  I read Dr. Oz's book and I am now really focusing on foods that are good for me.  Whole grains, avocados, fruits and veggies.  Yum.  It's a good life full of delicious food.  Different foods then maybe I was eating before (but I don't rule those all out I still have some mac n' cheese every now and then, and that's important to both me and my family).  I have truly found how to eat DELICIOUSLY without all the things I used to think were delicious before (aka, frying and cheese).

3.  You've gotta have friieeends....  and I do.  It's been so nice to have Drew, and my good friends to rely on as I walk down this path.  I've really liked reading other weight loss blogs and reveling in other people's successes.  If you want to lose weight, tell your close friends, and tell them you want their help.  If they're really friends they'll help you out.  Also, this blog has been a big motivator.  It's SO nice to get helpful feedback, or props from friends.  I loved posting when I had good losses, it made me feel good.

4.  Continue working out.  It's not really a weight loss tool, but I think that I have some quality muscle underneath those ugly layers of fat.  I think I may also be slowly building my metabolism, and of course working out has so many other benefits.  Also, changing my workouts to three 45 minute or more sessions/week I think was also helpful, instead of four 30 minute sessions. 

My goal at the beginning of the year was to lose a pound a week.  I didn't do that, but I did lose 32 pounds this year.  I also had that amazing realization in the middle of the year about eating healthy and that was worth not shedding those other 20 pounds. 

I also realize that there's no timeline for this.  I am so happy that I have lost the weight that I have.  I'm going to continue this next year.  I hope to maybe attend a weight watchers meeting, learn about the new system and implement that.  I'm mulling over really counting points the first week of each month.  I think it's just a good reminder of portions, and what eating should be.  I tend to sort of count points in my head all the time anyway, but the motions of really writing it down is helpful.  I've also mulled over doing P90X, but I don't think that will be in the works until my BMI is a regular weight.  I need to be healthy before I do that.  I'm not quite there yet (I Think it's only like 10 more pounds though....)

And lastly... you can do it.  If losing weight is a goal you want you can do it.  But don't fool yourself into thinking that it won't take over your life.  Like most good things you get out of it what you put into it.  But it's SO great to shop at regular stores and actually find clothes that are too BIG for you.  It's worth it. 

Oh, and I am under 170, at last check I was 168 which is good considering our family has been passing around this cold for oh, like 3 weeks now.  I'm hoping to head out on a walk with Drew this morning and get some fresh air into these lungs.

Happy New Year everyone, you can do it!