A Health Transformation in 2014

Last year, I made the bold and daring decision to not set any weight loss goals on New Year's Day. Nearly 18 years of unsuccessful resolutions had left me feeling like a failure as my weight continued to climb. It started with a goal of losing 20 lbs, then 30 lbs, and eventually, I needed to lose more than 100 lbs before I could be considered healthy weight.

I had no energy. I went to work each day and returned home to make dinner and sit on the couch. My life consisted largely of work, television, and more work. I'd force some motivation at times - to throw a fantastic birthday party for one of my beautiful sons or put together a fantastic event at work - but then I'd spend days drained and worn out while I recuperated.

My body was fueled by junk and I felt it. Head aches, body aches, and indigestion were a daily occurrence. I had started to accept them as the norm.

My closet was filled with clothing I hated. My inner fashionista was buried. The days of loving clothes shopping and fun fashion had disappeared. I dressed to hide. I dressed to blend in.

I was forgetting how to dream. I accepted my life as it was even though I was unhappy. As I felt incapable of controlling my weight, other things began to fail. I was terrible at managing my money. My dreams of finishing college seemed unattainable. My relationships were less than healthy. I didn't like me.

Photos from the beginning

I knew something had to give and I needed to focus on losing some weight. Mid-year, I started Take Shape for Life with a goal of losing 30 lbs. My first reaction was to my increased energy levels. By day three, I had energy and lots of it. By the end of the first week, I'd lost weight. By the end of the first month, I was amazed. The weight was coming off!

I began to realize just how terrible I'd felt - physically, emotionally, and spiritually. As the pounds dropped, my spirits lifted. I have around 50 lbs left to lose but my life is starting to balance.

Minus 80 lbs

I've now lost 80 lbs and my life is being transformed - physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

I have energy.
I'm spending more time with those that I love and less time with the television.
I'm dreaming.
My finances are back in control.
I started back to school.
I love clothes again.
I'm looking pretty good!

A comparison before and during - 50 lbs left to go!

With this blog, I'll share recipes, tips, and stories of inspiration. Please follow along. And if you want to learn more about the program, just let me know!