7 minutes and 98 lbs

I just ran a half mile.

Those of you who know me may be asking me why.

Simple....to celebrate 98 lbs and 7 minutes.

Travel back with me to Easter 2013 and keep reading - this is my life-changer.

Easter 2013 - My sister was here with her kids. I had a great time visiting but I was truly weary from listening to her weight loss story and if she said Take Shape for Life one more time, I was afraid I might hit her.

At nearly 300 lbs, I wanted to roll my eyes. My sister was already thin and I couldn't fathom why she'd want to lose weight. As she spoke, I wanted to slap her and tell her I would give my right leg to be her size.

I was frustrated and I didn't tell her but as the weekend wore on, I felt worse and worse about myself. It wasn't her fault but by Easter Sunday I'd be taking it out on her - mad, angry, irritated, and over-sensitive.

As if Tara wasn't bad enough, my mom had just started Take Shape for Life. When she arrived, the two of them were high on "TSFL" and I felt fat, out of shape, unattractive, stupid, and like I'd messed up my life. Dramatic? Yes, but that's how I felt.

I was miserable but I just wanted everyone to believe I was ok. More than anything I wanted myself to believe I was ok.

Of course, my weight issues didn't start a year ago. It was an accumulation of over 15 years of fast food or other poor eating choices, inactivity, and trying to convince myself I was ok.

I decided to give Take Shape for Life a chance. I figured I'd give it one month and that would get me "kick-started" and then I'd do my own thing.

My food arrived and I started the program one year ago today! 

It only took 3 days for me to realize how much better I could feel when I fueled my body with nutrients instead of crap. I had energy. I was sleeping better.

At a week, I stepped on the scale and was amazed with the progress.

At a month, I figured out a way to afford the second month.

At two months, the cost of the food felt like an investment in a healthier, happier Heather.

To say I feel amazing would be an understatement!

Today marks my one year anniversary of the program. I woke up this morning wondering what outfit I should wear for my one year comparison photo. What outfit would make me look the thinnest? Which one would make my readers say wow? Pictures are worth a thousand words and trust me....later this week when I post a photo, you'll probably say wow.

But today I celebrate something bigger than the way I look. . .today I celebrate the way I feel!

Energetic. Healthy. Confident. Able. Strong. Capable. In control. Beautiful. 

Crater Lake Today

So to celebrate, I decided to do something active.

It started with a trip to Crater Lake. A high elevation, a bit of hiking.








Something a year ago I wouldn't have considered. I would have come up with every excuse under the sun as to why I couldn't go.

And if I did decide to go, I would have packed some chips, chocolate, probably a soda or two for the drive. And when I returned, I would have rewarded myself with McDonalds.

Eat every 2.5 - 3 hours. Today's choices -
S'more Crunch, Peanut Butter Chewy Bar,
Honey Mustard Pretzel Sticks, and a big giant
bottle of water.

This time, I packed my five "meals" and plenty of water. I didn't miss the chips, the chocolate or the McDonalds. In fact, I was excited that my five meals were so convenient and easy to carry.

I traipsed around, enjoying the fact that I could breathe easier. Marveling at how my joints didn't ache. I didn't feel sluggish. I didn't feel like all the other "fit" people were looking at me.

A slimmer, happier, healthier me. 

I felt great - so thankful for the decisions I've made over the last year.



So when I returned home I decided I wasn't done. My dogs were driving me crazy, ready for a walk. So we headed out for a walk.

I walked a block, then two. And all of a sudden, I wanted to run. I can honestly say I've never had that feeling (that I can remember, maybe when I was a kid??). I decided to run to the next intersection. And then I ran a little longer.

And then I decided to see what I could do.

A half mile it turns out. Not bad for no training, right?

I ran. And as I ran, I filled with pride.

My dog ran with me today. 

I celebrated the dozens of donuts over the past year that I've said no to.
I celebrated all the times I didn't hit the drive through.
I celebrated all the french fries (my previous weakness) I didn't eat.

I celebrated a healthier life.
I celebrated a better me.

I celebrated 98 lbs lost.

Each step while I was running felt like victory.

Every step felt amazing. I could do it!

And when the .5 miles were done, I walked another 1.07 just because I could.

And when I finished, I celebrated again....this time I celebrated 7 minutes.

7 GLORIOUS MINUTES!

A year ago, my fastest pace for a mile was 19.57 minutes and that was if I pushed myself as fast as I possibly could. My legs ached. My shins hurt. My thighs were jello. My fingers were swollen. I pushed for that 19.57 minute mile.

Today I beat that by 7 minutes. I came in at 12.06 minutes per mile.

I don't even care that I ran at a turtle's pace.

I ran.

I celebrate. . .

7 beautiful minutes and 98 lbs! 

I'm so thankful a year ago I made the investment in me.

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!