I know that many of you who read my blog or follow me on FB didn't know me 5 years ago, so this will probably come as a shock to many of you! After my kids were born and Haley started getting sick, I just completely turned all of my focus on them and didn't take care of myself in any way!! I didn't realize what was happening over the period of time and I truly was happy with my life (so I thought) and I just continued to gain weight!! It wasn't so much that I was an over eater...I just simply did NOT make any type of healthy choices when it came to eating.
A little over 6 years ago, I decided enough was enough and I started attending Weight Watchers!! That had to be one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. I realized that there was NO diet that was ever going to work for me...it was ALL about a life style change!! So, nearly 15 months after I started going...I met my goal weight and became a "Lifetime" member of WW and lost a total of 78 pounds!!!!
Yep!! That is me...78 pounds ago...(can I crawl under the table now??) The picture on the top left, I ALWAYS carry around with me a a quick reminder to "just say NO"!!!
So I have recently celebrated 5 years of keeping off the weight and I have to tell you....IT FEELS PRETTY GOOD!!!!
I have never been much on exercise, so although WW encourages you to work that into their program...I did not. I simply changed my entire way of eating and experimented with new foods that I didn't even know existed...and I was lucky enough to drop the weight.
Now, if you remember back to the post about Zumba....I told you all that it was very important to me to find an exercise program that "worked" for me. I am going on 3 months of Zumba...and my new favorite gym, Fit For Her, and it absolutely kills me now to miss classes if I have something going on. Although I have been able to keep my weight off (with the exception of a few pounds up and down), I have never been able to tone this darn "after baby" body or build muscle.
So as I slowly....cough...approach 40, this has been my new goal!! Not only to keep the weight off, but to finally work on toning up and finding new ways to stay fit and healthy!!
I had a lot of reservation about posting this blog, because I am embarrassed of where I was 6 years ago....but hopefully ONE person who reads this might just be inspired that "You can do it too"!!!
One last thing I would like to add is that, I am very glad Haley got to see her mom meet this challenge before she passed away. I spent every waking moment taking care of her....and she finally got to see me take care of myself for a bit. As for Brenna...I can tell she has her "momma's" genes and she might too struggle with weight a bit, but for anybody who is ever around her, you know she is ALWAYS making good food choices. I keep telling her she will hit that growth spurt and it will all pay off, and I hope that my lifestyle change has helped her as well!!
I have never been much on exercise, so although WW encourages you to work that into their program...I did not. I simply changed my entire way of eating and experimented with new foods that I didn't even know existed...and I was lucky enough to drop the weight.
Now, if you remember back to the post about Zumba....I told you all that it was very important to me to find an exercise program that "worked" for me. I am going on 3 months of Zumba...and my new favorite gym, Fit For Her, and it absolutely kills me now to miss classes if I have something going on. Although I have been able to keep my weight off (with the exception of a few pounds up and down), I have never been able to tone this darn "after baby" body or build muscle.
So as I slowly....cough...approach 40, this has been my new goal!! Not only to keep the weight off, but to finally work on toning up and finding new ways to stay fit and healthy!!
I had a lot of reservation about posting this blog, because I am embarrassed of where I was 6 years ago....but hopefully ONE person who reads this might just be inspired that "You can do it too"!!!
One last thing I would like to add is that, I am very glad Haley got to see her mom meet this challenge before she passed away. I spent every waking moment taking care of her....and she finally got to see me take care of myself for a bit. As for Brenna...I can tell she has her "momma's" genes and she might too struggle with weight a bit, but for anybody who is ever around her, you know she is ALWAYS making good food choices. I keep telling her she will hit that growth spurt and it will all pay off, and I hope that my lifestyle change has helped her as well!!
(The NEW me!!)
I will try and post some of my favorite food changes with you over the next few weeks!!!
Go for your goal!!!!
Go for your goal!!!!
Jenn~
Way to go girl!!! You are doing amazing! I am definitely inspired by you and your story! I too am often guilty of focusing all my attention on taking care of Brady and forgetting to take care of myself, but I've really been trying to get better about it! I am hoping to get more involved in Zumba once we get moved to Owasso, it really is alot of fun! Love this new blog post, thanks so much for sharing! I look forward to hearing about your food changes!
ReplyDeleteSo proud of you Jenn!! And you are again an inspiration to us all that it can be done!! You look great!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this and being so honest. That's what I love about you is your openness and honesty. Wow you are inspiring girly! I still remember meeting you that day you made lifetime and you couldn't stick around to celebrate. I was so sad you couldn't stay because I was so happy for you making lifetime. THANK you for inspiring me in so many ways. Keep on dancin' friend!
ReplyDeleteYea, Jenn! What an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI am so proud of you girl! THat is awesome! I was always the fat kid growing up and still fight it every day. Making good food choices is so important! I would love for you to post some of your recipes! :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your weight loss and even better keeping it off!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Know how hard it is to lose that kind of weight! I had lost 70 lbs at one point but am inching back up a bit again. I keep hearing the statistic that only 5% of people who lose the weight actually keep it off...that's very scary! I'm doing great with the exercising (2 hours of treading while watching Biggest Loser last night at 10% incline), but the eating is becoming more of a problem. I HAVE to get back on track! I WILL be among that 5%! You keep up the fantastic work!
ReplyDeleteKnow that you're always in my thoughts and prayers!
Psalm 32:6-8 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found : surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go : I will guide thee with mine eye.
Prayer Bears
My email address
Can I just say how cute your blog is and how happy I am that you shared this awesome milestone with the world? You continue to inspire me and seeing before and after pics, even though I did know you then (just not as well) is very motivating to me. It's one thing to see someone in an ad on tv but knowing the person and how they lost the weight is far better. I am definitely looking forward to your sharing your favorite recipes and tips for getting there and keeping it off. Keep up the awesome work!
ReplyDeleteWow, I have always struggeld with my weight. I have lost weight with weight watchers ten years ago. I have gotten off track and have gained it all back. I need to read your post and see the pics just to know that I can do this!!! I have to do this for my children!! Thanks so much!!!
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous!! I hope this blog can help you in some way. It truly brings tears to my eyes to read this because I remember exactly how you feel!! YOU know it can be done, because you have done it before!!
ReplyDeleteKeep an eye on the blog because I plan to post pics of some of my favorite healthy food choices!! ((hugs))
YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!!
Jennifer~
Wow, Jenn I'm so proud of you! It's such a stuggle to get it off and keep it off and you look FANTASTIC, I got a little teary eyed reading the post about how you finally were taking care of yourself, I finally started taking care of myself and not just my kiddos and the weight is slowly coming off but it's so slow...I can't wait to be thin like you!!! What an inspiration you are!
ReplyDelete