Weight Loss is more than just about Looks

On our way to the YMCA today I told the kids I wasn't looking forward to BodyPump. They were shocked and wondered why I was going to the class. I told them because it's good for me and sometimes we have to work out even when we do not want to. Colin said, "like when I don't want to go to Tae Kwon Do?" I said, "yes, and how do you feel after Tae Kwon Do?" and he said he felt better. I said, "EXACTLY! I will feel better after the workout!" And I did.

I have been reading my journal entries and realized a lot is about how I feel about my looks BUT weight loss is so much more than that. I compiled a list with my husband about all the things that have changed about me in the past 15 months.

They are not necessarily in order of importance, but rather how they popped into our heads:)

*I am sick less often (I used to get bronchitis whenever the kids had a cold)
*I am off my blood pressure meds
*I can shop in stores and not online for the extended sizes for Gap/Old Navy
*I can fit in regular sized bathroom stalls with the kids
*I have confidence and am no longer ashamed
*I have More energy
*I Can push my body to limits I never thought possible...I can run ten miles!
*I am happy
*I am not afraid of the camera. Now the kids can have photos with their mommy
*I have smaller shoes
*I am no longer short of breath after a flight of stairs
*I am meeting people and things in common with people I never thought possible
*My spirit is back
*I am more cheerful and optimistic (I wrote "more", not ALWAYS!)
*I can fit on the rides at the amusement park
*I can take a day or two off from healthy eating and know that it's okay.
*I enjoy the waterparks with my family
*I am treating myself better (spa day!)

Wowza! That was more things than I thought possible!

Copying my journey journal onto my blog:)

I have been going through my written journal and entering it onto this blog. Take a peek, if you dare, into how I felt when I started this journey in 2008...My journal has been a big part of my life and something I read and reread. It was one of the tools I used to take this journey.

Some AFTER and BEFORE photos:)

January 2010 trying on swimsuits
at 170 pounds

Me at 170 pounds

Me at 170 pounds Christmas 2009

Me at 225 pounds May 2007
one of many times I began to lose
weight before this final time...

November 2008 250 pounds


Size 20

Me at 250 pounds November 2008
Obviously unhappy:(

Happy 41st Birthday to me!

Yeppers, it's my Birthday and I am giving myself a present. I should have done this a long time ago, but I didn't. I should have started a blog:) I have wanted to do this for years. I thought of the name for this blog over a year ago when I started the journey to find me. I lived my first forty years as Andrea. A few people have always called me Annie. When I was 250 pounds and starting the process to find me I dreamed about being Annie B. The dream was alittle blurry and had it been more clear I would have made this journey a LONG time ago. I missed out on sooooooo much before I started losing weight. I am sad to have lost all those years, but as my son says, make lemonaide out of lemons, so I am moving forward and not looking back at the losses of living life unhappy. BUT I am pleading with those of you who are not happy in your current situation to do something about it sooner than later. Find yourself so you can be a better friend, sister, mother, wife, ect.