My Weight Loss Story

For years, I had promised myself that I would not be fat at 40. That I would be fine at 40 and fit for life. I want to grow older gracefully and healthily. I want to look and feel good.

Turning 38 was time to start to make this a reality. So my journey must begin now, January 2007. I had thought many times, “I want to look good enough to be featured in Essence Magazine’s Ageless Issue.” I can do this. I will do this.

So tired of huffing and puffing and carrying this extra weight. Sick of indigestion, tired of bellyaches. It’s time to take action. It’s time to wake up feeling good each day. Looking good is the bonus.

The other day, I was watching Oprah After the Show...I never watch Oprah or After the Show, but for some reason the tv was on Oxygen and dh and I were sitting there and they were talking about taking better care of yourself.

This show just made me so sad. DH and I had a really great conversation afterwards. Basically, they were saying that when you are doing something that is not good for you, you are not truly loving yourself. It centered around different things eating, smoking, drinking etc. anything that could lead to health issues.

They mentioned that life is always trying to give you messages...first in a whisper, then it talks to you, then it yells and then it smacks you in the face! No one wants the smack in the face...cause that's usually the diagnosis of an illness/disease etc. It just made me really think and question why weight loss has been so tough for me. At that moment, I thought I've got to practice my healthier lifestyle each day, it may mean small steps, but small steps make for big changes. I don't know about you but I feel like, I've already had my whisper and my talk....I might be creeping up on being yelled at...so there is no time like the present.

We all sometimes get wrapped up in other things, taking care of others, doing other things and we just feel like there is not enough time in the day. However, there is always time to make a good decision when it comes to our health.

Fast Forward 75lbs Gone and I Don't Want to Find It (SEPTEMBER 2009)

Confession Tuesday! So it's been a little over a year since I lost 75lbs. Whew! Maintaining that loss has proven to be somewhat of a mystery! OK...not really...but a little bit daunting at times.
For months, I have been playing the yo-yo game and going around in circles with my commitment to me. I've thought about the changes I've made and what I have not done since reaching this first goal. Statistics show that when you get lax about your new habits you fall off the wagon. Even though you have reached your goal it's a lifelong commitment to continue the habits that got you to your goal.

Here are a few things that got me to my goal and my confessions to were I am with them today:
•Keeping all of my "red light" foods out of the house - still good with this one! Whole foods. No white flour or sugar items here! YES!
•Exercise - Still working out and have added more days and variety to my routine! YES!
•Sharing my journey with others and my results - NOPE, NOPE, NOPE! Dropped off the face of the earth on this one. I need this one. It keeps me honest. Getting back to this.
•Journaling and sharing my journal of what is on the menu - NOPE, NOPE, NOPE! Dropped off the face of the earth on this...not sharing it with you or myself! I need to see what I am truly eating each day. Lately, I've had a good dose of the munchies! YIKES!
•No snacking and watching tv - ummmmm...trail mix, Kashi cookies, fruit...whatever sure is good while watching my favorite programs! YIKES!
•No eating while working! - Why oh why does a snack or two find it's way next to my laptop? Hmmmm? Perhaps it's because I find myself working in the breakfast area each day instead of in my office. The view is wonderful and I cannot help myself....see...

I can look right out into our back yard or just sit out on the porch. However, it makes getting food too easy and a terrible habit. I am currently typing this from my office! Moved myself back upstairs. Now to stay put. The kitchen is for cooking and eating, not for working!

•Rewards! Gotta have rewards. Well, I haven't rewarded myself with anything lately...so we are going back to the old reward system of $1 per pound for 1-10 pounds, $2 per pound for 11-20 pounds, $3 per pound for 21-30 pounds, $4 per pound for 31-40 pounds and $5 per pound for anything over 40. Dh will match me all the way! I have been playing with 7-10 pounds up/down. The reality is there is more to lose...so I need the reward system and no Lisa Renee...I will not look like a crackhead when I reach my goal! LOL! Or a bobblehead doll! I don't want to be thin...I want to be beautifully "thick" with everything in all the right places...nice TNA! Ya heard me!

Well, those are my confessions! Feels good to admit. Now hopefully, this is cleansing for myself and will set me on the right track.

I'm starting fresh and recommitting to me starting today! I'll even share todays menu:

•Breakfast - Organic oatmeal
•Lunch - Salad (mixed greens, chicken, mandarin oranges, almonds and raisins and natural poppyseed dressing) an apple and a piece of dark chocolate.
•Snack - homemade, natural mangolicious smoothie.
•Dinner - salmon, green beans and couscous.
•Dessert - Kashi Oatmeal Dark Chocolate Cookie

That's the plan! That's my journey. That's my commitment.

Where are you on your journey? What do you need to do to reach your goals? Eat less, exercise more, cleanse your life of toxic people, take time for yourself? It all comes down to loving yourself a bit more.

I Did It! 100lbs Down! JANUARY 24, 2010!

Ok...so I've been totally obsessed with weighing myself this week. I know I'm getting close to the 100lbs down mark. So I have been weighing every other day or so. Well, today...I woke up feeling extra skinny, extra light! So...you know I decided to weigh myself. The scale read 184.8! Hmmmm? Could this be correct? Try again....184.8! Woohoo! 285-184.8=100.2 lbs down! Yippppeeeeee! Yahooooeeeeyy! Woot! Woot! Happy, Happy! Joy! Joy!!!!!!! And now the tears are beginning to flow! Thank You! Thank You! Thank YOU! I cannot believe it. I am completely overwhelmed with emotion and joy. What a great feeling. What else can I say.

Thanks for letting me share. I'm overwhelmed this morning.

Tiare.

PS. I cannot let this day go by without saying, “Thank YOU,” to all of the wonderful women who have joined me in the ScrapnFIT/FITBOOKING Workshop to date. They are a wonderful encouraging bunch and we are getting healthy and happy TOGETHER!!! YOU ROCK!

LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN - MARCH 22, 2010

10, 9...pounds away from my weight loss goal of 120lbs down!!!!

I’m counting! I’m almost there! Woohoo!

Be healthy and happy...

Until next week,
Tiare.

GOOOOAAAALLLLLLL!  APRIL 16, 2010

Today is THE DAY!!!!  120lbs down!  Woohoo!  I set out to lose it and it's gone!  YAY!!!!  I started out at 285 and today 164.5!!! Yes!  120lbs gone!  Never to be found!  I'm happy!  I'm dancing.  I'm celebrating.

Now let's get this party started.....

Next...sign my shirt @ the health club.

Then...Dragonfly Tattoo...

After that...photo shoot!  Woohoo!  I'm CELEBRATING!

And for the inquiring minds who want to know...The secret is...there is NO secret, just healthy eating and exercise, planning my days and sticking to the plan!

Thanks for letting me share,

Tiare