Bonus Post - Getting Slimmer

On January 16 of this year, I decided to make a final stab at losing weight. I was at my all time heaviest and had just had a family Christmas celebration where I could not participate in many of the festivities because I simply did not feel well.  My joints hurt, my body ached, and I tired very easily. 

Christmas Day, 2018.

In January, I joined Tara Oliver's thirty day challenge on Facebook.  Tara is a long time horsey friend who is also a health coach. She suggested that participants take some photos of themselves to use for comparison as their weight began to come off. I'm glad I followed her recommendation - I look at these two photos and they really do show how far I have come. And no wonder I did not feel well!

As I participated in the challenge, I learned about Optavia, a program that grew out of the old Medi-Fast diet, and after consulting with Craig about the costs, decided to take the plunge. 

I'm now down 80 lbs and feeling so much better. Lisa and I recently went shopping so that I could try on clothes as none of mine fit any more. To my surprise and delight, plus sizes were way too big and I had to try on regular women's sizes.

This is a size Small sweater!! I had grabbed the wrong size and put it on, thinking it was a Large. It was too small for me, but not uncomfortable. I bought it in a Medium.

Lisa insisted that I try on these size 12 jeans. They are skinny jeans and supposed to fit close. The 14 fit better, but I was pleased that I could get a 12 on!

I came home with three tops, two pairs of jeans, and a dress. (I love that you can see Lisa in the mirror!)

Me wearing my new clothes at the October GLC show.

At my heaviest, I wore a 22/24 plus size and a 2x and an occasional 3x depending on the cut of the item. To be out of plus sizes and wearing size 12-14, M, and L was a thrilling experience. It was also a sobering one - I had never thought that I would lose weight. I'd been trying for years, only to lose twenty pounds or so and then regain them. I repeated that loss/regain cycle again and again and again.

Wearing that sized M sweater and my new jeans yesterday while I meet Pepper, a dog we may adopt.

Last week I saw my doctor for a check up and asked her what she felt my target weight should be. Having had pancreatic surgery in August, I have been in recovery and was not able to diet for about three months. I was ready to resume Optavia (and very pleased that I had maintained my weight loss by eating healthily while in recovery. I had not backslid!)

Wearing a twenty-five year old sweatshirt from my University of Illinois days. I'd kept it for sentimental value, never expecting to wear it again!

Dr. Knutson looked at my BMI, bone structure, age and other things for a few minutes and then gave me her recommendation of the weight she felt would be healthiest for me. I was stunned that I was only 25 lbs. away from that goal. I've already lost 80 lbs. Losing 25 lbs. is very, very doable. I left her office feeling light hearted and motivated.

My new goal is to have lost those last 25 lbs by January 16, 2020, a year from the date that I began my health journey. I suspect that I will hit that goal well before that.

I can do this! And this Christmas, my family will see a mom/grandmother who can fully participate in the festivities.

Ho! Ho! Ho!