October 17, 2008 ONEderland!!!!

I did it!!!!!!
This morning, 2 days before my birthday, I stepped on the scale and saw 199.2 looking back at me! This has been my goal for a long time, and I reached it! I am so happy I could just spit!
After my pool class this morning, I went to the jewelers to pick up my ring. It is beautiful! The diamonds just shimmer in the sunlight. I keep looking at it, thinking of what it symbolizes. Sure, the 3 stones represent me and my kids, but the meaning behind the ring is so much deeper.

I set out nearly a year ago to lose some weight and get healthy. I took a sabbatical from my job to focus on ME. I committed to working out, eating right, and doing whatever it took to reach my goal of 210 pounds. And I was going along very nicely with that, until my orthopedist said he'd like me under 200 for my knee replacement in January 2009. Ok, if I can do 210, I can do 200, right?
But that got me thinking, and I decided I wanted to weigh less than my Dad, who is currently the lightest one in the family, at 188. So I chose 186 as my goal. Why 186? Because 1) it's less than Dad, 2) it represents 100 pounds lost since last November when I decided to do something about my weight, and 3) it represents 300 pounds total loss since my gastric bypass in 2001.
So here I am, 13 pounds from that goal. Not much, but probably the hardest 13 pounds I'll ever lose! I hope to do it by New Years, but if not, it's ok. I will simply do my best and accept what my body decides. THIS, ONEderland by my birthday, was the goal that was so important to me.
When I went to the gym, I saw my trainer. I told her and she jumped up and down and hugged me. It felt good to know she was so excited! I texted my BFF, and got a very enthusiastic response from her too. I told my Mom, and she said how proud she is of me. I've had several comments on my SparkPage, and gotten some SparkGoodies, from my SparkFriends who are celebrating right along with me. It feels so good to know that others are supporting me in this, and are happy for my success. But I guess what matters most is how I feel about all of this.
Well, as my Grandpa used to say, "if I was any happier, I'd be twins!" That about sums it up. I'm walking around today, looking at my beautiful ring, and smiling like the cat that swallowed the canary. Only it wasn't a canary I swallowed, it was lots of good, healthy, nutritious food, and lots and lots of WATER!
Why did it work this time? After all the times I've set out to lose weight, why was this time different? I think there were several factors. First, I didn't decide to "go on a diet". I decided to GET HEALTHY. That didn't just mean a change in eating habits, it meant a change in LIFESTYLE. A totally different mindset.
Second, as I've mentioned before, my dear sister talked me into going with her to Canyon Ranch in January. It was a lifechanging experience. Because of it, I gave up dairy and wheat for 3 months, and continue to limit them. And I've not had any egg since then (except the time I ate Carvel soft vanilla and didn't realize there was egg yolk in there!) I've been eating healthy, organic, natural, unprocessed foods. No artifical ANYTHING! And eliminating eggs has eliminated most baked goods, making it that much easier to stay away from them!
Third, for some bizzare reason, I've developed a LOVE for exercise! I was a devout couch potato. I hated exercise. Sure, I'd done some before, a bare minimum, but never committed. Now, I'm at the gym and/or pool 6 days a week! And if I miss a class, I feel like something isn't right.
Fourth, I really, truly, completely did this for ME. Not for my family, my friends, or anyone else. Just for ME. Becuase I wanted to be healthy. For ME.
Finally, and this is actually the #1 reason why I believe this worked, is that _I_ did not do this! I can't claim the credit. Sure, I did the legwork (pardon the pun), but when I started, I sat down and had a talk with God. I told Him, "I can't do this. I've tried so many times and failed. This time, I'm giving it to YOU." And He did it! He has given me the desires of my heart! I could not have done this on my own strength and power. But I can do ALL things through Christ, who strengthens me! So I give HIM the glory. (altho I am sort of basking in that glory just a teeeny bit myself!)
I am blessed. I am healthy. I am happy. I am in ONEderland.
It just doesn't get any better than this!!