Weight Loss Program: Announcements, Victories and Stuff

So I have great news on the health front--the report from the biospy looks good, at least no cancer to speak of. I'm still waiting for the myriad of other conditions this could be but it looks like the results will be the same as last year and wind up being inconclusive.  This is neither positive or negative.  It's great that there is no cancer.

I'm also healing pretty well from the biopsy and even went to my Zumba class yesterday.  I felt like a total slacker because I barely worked up a sweat and didn't try to keep up with my instructor like a usually do.  I felt like the energy she was expelling was being wasted on me...lol  But, I felt amazing afterward.  I know I say this a lot but I'm just amazed that I now look to exercise as a release and a way to cope.  I friggin' missed working out and couldn't wait to get back.  If there is anyone out there who doubts whether they can accomplish their goals, change how they live and achieve what seems impossible please listen to me when I tell you thinking like that is bullshit!  Yes!

This was me in July 2008.  I almost cried when I saw this picture today.

This is me today...in my size 14s!  So, don't tell me what's not possible.














When I began my journey, I was a size 30-32 (barely).  Today I am wearing a pair of pants that are size 14, which I got from my sister, who never has been able to give me clothes.  (They're stretchy but they fit comfortably and have a 14 on the tag!)  I'm not claiming this as my Hot 100 Goal accomplished yet though because I want to be able to wear the same cut jean as my 16s.  But I'm almost there.  I'm almost there in a month that was not my best emotionally or with controlling my portions.  I'm almost there with almost 2 weeks of not being able to work out (I came back earlier than advised but only by a few days.) But, I'm almost there because I didn't let those difficult moments snowball.  I continue every day to refocused, adjusted, adapted and pushed harder. 
I wrote on someone's blog yesterday that my greatest achievement during my journey has not been losing weight.  Losing weight is easy really.  My greatest achievement has been taking control of my life and claiming my own power.  There is absolutely nothing that can get in the way of me reaching my goal and maintaining a healthy lifestyle for the rest of my life except me.  There are a million reasons why I can't but I'm the one reason why I won't.  I determine what will stop me.  I determine what challenges are too big to overcome.  I determine how much effort I'll put in to finding my success.  I determine what I am willing to change and what I'm not.  I determine what I put in my mouth.  I determine whether I push myself to lift my leg higher or squat lower.  I determine whether I learn new ways to cope with my emotions, even during TOM.  I determine if I find alternatives to the foods I like when they don't like me.  I determine what things I need to remove from my life altogether and those things that I need to put in place.

There will always be challenges to overcome.  When I allow my challenges to become excuses, that's when I fail.  My own empowerment, taking control of my life is my greatest accomplishment.