Betty's Weight Loss Journey...AKA

The Road to 'Thindom' - or - The Search for the Holy Scale :)

There comes a time in everyone's life when they have to assess:

That moment came for me on Labor Day Weekend, 2001.    Here is my before picture (one of the few times when someone could get me to hold still for pics - NOT my favorite hobby, believe me!)    Ahh yes, the ol' drape the large handbag in front of the hips routine...that'll fool 'em, right? 'Please ignore the woman behind the curtain...'   : )

I remember this day so clearly - my husband, son and I made a trip to Multnomah Falls.   It's a beautiful place - great for hiking (something I used to enjoy long ago).    My hubby and son wanted to make a trip about 1/4 mile up the falls -- not a long distance- but All uphill. I wanted to go sooooo bad, but didn't think my knees, back….(just do the inventory) would be able to take the climb.   So, I waved them on and tried to make myself content to stay at the bottom.    But it just wasn't enough…I wanted to be checking the view out on that bridge…...    I'd like to say that I went straight home and joined Weight Watchers after this...nope,uh-uh,noperino- still took me about two more months. -- There also comes a time, I guess, when you're just 'ready' (no epiphany required - sometimes just being tired...of being tired all the time is quite enough).

On November 7, 2001 -- I looked at the Weight Watchers site again (as I had during the weeks before)...This time, however -- I clicked the button to 'JOIN' ...  (Scheduling....And- personal nerves kept me from going to 'meetings', but I refused to let that keep me from getting on with it -- I joined the online Weight Watcher program -- and in the forums, met some of the most inspirational people I've ever known -- kinda like a 24-7 meeting -- someone is Always there when you need them:)    Thanks, guys -  you'll never know what a life-line you have been for me!

   Christmas 2001, I'm down by 28 pounds here...I don't really notice much of a difference yet -- except in attitude, and endurance!    Walking has already gotten much easier!

(I had a hard time wrapping my head around this concept - but even 10, 15, 20+ pounds makes a BIG difference in your comfort level. If you are just starting to lose weight - or have been at it for awhile & think you're not 'accomplishing' your goals as fast as you'd like...try this little experiment: Go to your local grocery store - to the produce section - and locate a bag or bags of potatoes that closely match how much you've lost. Now hold the bag(s) close to your body and walk just around the bin that you're at. Feel the bulk, the weight that those potatoes add. Now stop for a moment....imagine strapping those potatoes on & doing the rest of your shopping trip with them in tow. Finally, set the bag(s) down. Feels COOL doesn't it?! THAT'S what you've Already done for yourself!

Celebrate each and every victory -- increased energy, flexibility, (one of my favorites -- *'closet shopping')

**For the uninitiated - 'closet shopping' is finding a long-lost friend in your closet -- you know what I mean... those jeans that the dryer 'shrunk', a favorite shirt, or sweater that you Used-to-wear... They've been sitting there, waiting for you to visit their hangers again...and some-where in the back of your mind...you Just couldn't give them away... Maybe they held some really great memories, or something that you just felt Good in.
So there you are...late one evening, or a Saturday afternoon... You pass by your old friend in the closet...you pause, put your hand on the hanger...(mentally thinking - 'Nah- NO WAY this fits me!') But you just Have to see...you slip it on...then Suddenly, Out-of-The-Deep-Blue, those buttons and fasteners that used to be separated by the Great Divide....ARE MEETING! ['And the crowd Goes Wild!!]

Ya know...
I'm sure that making a slam-dunk for the winning point is quite a high-- but I think that a successful closet shopping day is Right Up There!   It kinda Sneaks up on you...You keep doing your thing...drinking your water, journaling, following program, making good decisions...but it still all seems rather abstract from the 'progress' viewpoint.   Then suddenly...BAM!... you're fitting into something you haven't worn for YEARS!  YOWZA! Now THAT'S a High! :) 
(Bonus- I've had arthritis in my knees since I was a teenager due to injuries - and a couple of surgical procedures about 10 years ago - much of the related discomfort is already easing!)

    
 Feb 28, 2002 -- remember the clothes from Labor Day 2001?  -- They're quite a bit roomier after losing 40 lbs -- heeee! I LOVED taking this shot :)

Feb 28,2002 -- (slightly better fitting duds)...still a long ways to go...but I'll Totally take the progress!   I started by parking increasingly towards the back of lots...and walking to the stores...moved on to walking first a few, then several, blocks every day -- even stairs are getting better (I don't have to "cough" to cover the Wheezing-- In fact, I can Talk while going up a flight of stairs-- who'duv thunk it!)    For those of you who know what I mean -- this is a Great NSV (Non-Scale-Victory).

**I'll be filling in with a couple of interim pics here....but I just HAD to share the latest....

Remember last year??  Fast-forward to Labor Day 2002...