My weight loss journey...

So, I've been wondering if and where I should share the details of my current weight loss effort...I considered starting a separate blog (but I have issues keeping this one up, so who needs 2???), not sharing at all (for fear of public failure) or sharing here...and as you can tell from the post title, sharing the story here won out...

so over the next bit (hopefully the entire next year), I'll be sharing some stories, some pictures, some low cal personal recipe adaptations....it will be more an electronic file folder for myself, but if you'd like to tag along, offer encouragement or skip these posts over, I'm fine with all of that...

So without further introduction, here's a 'before' picture...spring/summer of 2006...

Since then I had child #2 (lost a few pounds before getting pregnant, then gained most of it back after delivery--I lose weight while pregnant, the ONLY time I have EVER lost weight with out trying...twice!)

Last fall I lost about 15 pounds and kept it off...another 7 this summer and here's a picture at that time...

 

Attractive profile, heh? I can't believe I'm putting this one up here...but it's part of the process, right?

Last fall, I signed up for the work weight loss challenge and lost a BUNCH of weight (took 2nd place in the challenge too!!)...I maintained the weight loss over Christmas and have since added to that total...down 25 pounds as a result and 50 from my heaviest ever...that's the milestone that keeps me going from day to day...I'll post a current pic soon...need my hubby to take one first...but here's my strategy so far...

1. Counting Calories--Count them ALL...with the internet, it's easy to look things up and keep track...I write everything I eat in a mini note pad and add it up as I go...I often plan my dinner calories at breakfas just to make sure I have the day under my limit...

2. Portion control--Eat what I want, just in the correct quantity...if I want a brownie, I eat a 1 inch square piece, and COUNT the calories (see #1)...this way I haven't felt deprived or starving.

3. Switch to diet pop...I was a Pepsi hound, especially when stressed...I switched to Diet and that has helped a TON...lets me still 'cope' with a soda, but a 0 calorie version.

My next steps will be adding exercise and consuming better quality calories (i.e. more veggies, less fat)...but so far, so good...thanks for letting me share my story here...