December 15, 2008 The Sweet Taste Of Success

I am officially down 100 pounds!   WOOOHOOO!!!
I stepped on the scale today and saw 185.8 and just about screamed for joy!!! (but the kids were still sleeping...) I did it!! I really did it!! Thank you God!
So, off to the gym for my workout, and then home to change and put on my UGG boots!!! It felt so cool to put them on, tuck my jeans inside, and tromp down the hall. They are very comfy and I really love them. But more than that is the meaning behind them. When I look at them, I know how hard I worked for them. I imagine I'll be wearing them ALOT this winter!
So, I was thinking about what it means to have lost 100 pounds. That's ALOT of pounds! 5 Thanksgiving turkeys. My daughter, fully dressed in snow boots, parka,, snow pants, and all the underlying layers. 20 bags of sugar.
Then I remembered that Token Fat Guy would always post a list of things that weigh as much as he has lost. So I decided to check it out.
I have lost:

A large male deer

A Hellfire missle

A Barrett M-99 Benchrest rifle

A Newfoundland dog

A hawkbill sea turtle

4 bags of dog food

3 1/3 propane tanks--FULL

2 1/2 5-gallon water bottles
Now, I can NOT imagine lifting any of these things. (heck, I struggle with ONE of those water jugs!) But that's exactly what I did, day in and day out, just a year ago. No wonder I always looked for the closest parking spot, the shortest route, the easiest way. Self preserrvation, no doubt!
How things have changed! I park whereever there's a spot. Sometimes that means a good long walk, but I don't mind. I can do it! I carry stuff all the time that I couldn't have done before. And, rather than needing an ECV like a year ago, I'm sure that I could walk all over Disneyworld with no problem!
Some other things have gotten alot easier too:

Getting up out of a chair (and for that matter, I've noticed that chairs have gotten MUCH bigger in the past year!)

Buying clothes

Tying my shoes

Putting on socks

Cooking that involves standing for a long time

Grocery shopping

Playing with the dog
Even just my everyday activities are easier, faster, and more automatic. I barely notice that I'm even walking, where it used to be a struggle. Taking a shower doesn't leave me feeling winded. Heck, putting up Chrismtas decoractions was even easier this year!
Next week I will go for my annual physical. No doubt there have been HUGE changes there as well. Eating the way I do, and exercising regularly, can only have a positive impact on my lab work, my EKG, my blood pressure.
I'm finally getting used to the compliments. In fact, I rather enjoy them! Quite an ego boost, really. But I know I didn't do this for the compliments. I did this for ME. For my health. For my future.
10.8 pounds to go and then I'll hit maintenance. I figure it will probably take me until April to lose it, since I hope to just maintain for the month after surgery. (recovering from major surgery does not go along well with weight loss!) Then the fun begins, the real challenge, of maintenance.
The difference this time is that it hasn't been about a diet--it's truly a lifestyle change. And I exercise now, which I never did before. A whole different way of life. By God's grace, I have come this far, and by His strength I will finish the job and continue on in my new life as a thin person.
I have to be honest and say that I did not do this myself. Not even close. Without God, without SparkPeople, without my family and friends, without my trainers, without Canyon Ranch, without Scotland, this would not have happened. But all of those things and people came together to make this a success, one that could not have happened on my power alone.
So thank you to everyone who has encouraged me, supported me, held my hand when I cried, cheered me on, listened to me when I needed to vent, and most of all, believed in me when I wasn't sure I could believe in myself. I may have lost 100 pounds, but I've gained infinitely more of what's really important in life.
And, as if this day wasn't already wonderful, I decided to nite to try on my grey suit. The one I bought 17 years ago that's been hanging in my closet waiting for "someday". Well, "someday" is TODAY! It fits! And it looks great!
I'll be going to bed with a smile on my face tonite!