Mission Accomplished!

A while ago I expressed how much I abhorred shopping for clothes prior to beginning my weight loss journey. I hated the time it takes to shop, the big mirrors, and the countless number of outfits I had to try on to make sure they were not too clingy in the wrong places. I've always been a pretty curvy girl and I do like to show my curves, but in a conservative way that is not too mature for my age. I am grateful that during the week I do not have to worry too much about what I am going to wear because I am required to wear black scrubs everyday at work. Nowadays, scrubs are quite trendy and you can find some that compliment your figure without being unprofessional. Yet on the weekends, I try to make an effort to be extra cute for my spouse, because after all, he has to look at me for the rest of our lives. I have got to keep it interesting. As of late, I have lost a good bit of weight and even the clothes I bought a few months ago have gotten baggy on me. It's really not cute when a girl has sagging jeans! After work a couple weeks ago, I trekked over to one of my favorite stores, CATO, in search of some new gear for my upcoming trip to Atlanta. I picked out a couple of pretty dresses, a nice shirt, and my most dredded but necessary piece of clothing: JEANS!!!. When losing weight, the size of a pair of jeans is the deciding factor on whether you've really made progress, at least in my opinion. As I thumbed through the rack, my fingers brushed across a size 8. I haven't worn a size 8 since freshman year of high school. I thought to myself, "Should I even dare?...Why not?" So I took my selected clothing back to my dressing cubicle. I slowly pulled one pantleg over my thigh, trying to contain my excitement. When the other pantleg went over and I managed to button the jeans, you can just imagine how overjoyed I was! I didn't have to suck anything in. I didn't have any unflattering gaps in the waist. I was actually comfortable. I began to do the happy dance and squealed like a little girl! I am sure the lady in the dressing room beside me thought I was nuts. I didn't care... she didn't know the sacrifices I had to make to get to this sweet moment in my life. A couple of months ago I had hit this wall where my weight would not pass the 158 lb mark. I was at a loss as to what I needed to do to get pass this wall, and I had allowed myself get too comfortable in my routine. The past couple of weeks I have been participating in these fitness and nutrition challenges(via my sisters from Black Girls Run) that I am certain helped me to knock over the wall and ultimately reach my goal. For instance, one week I had to eliminate sweets and cheese from my diet, which just about killed your girl! However, cutting these foods out helped me to become more disciplined and creative with my meals. I also had to do like a million push ups, sit ups, jumping jacks, and lounges, in addition to my runs in one week. I get exhausted just thinking about it! I held myself accountable, sometimes getting up 30 minutes before I actually wake up to get ready for work to get the exercises in. Yes, it may sound crazy, but when you really want something, you do what you have to in order to get it. As long as I was losing weight the right way, with hard work, I was satisfied. I pushed the envelope hard, and it paid off! I feel great! I met my goal, weighing in this morning at 150.4 lbs prior to my 10 mile run (at the end of th run I was 147.8, but I attribute that to water loss, still crazy to see that number) WEIGHT LOSS: It has taken me 1 year and 7 months to reach my goal. From 226 to 150, a total of 76 lbs loss, or a 7 year old. I ask of you all to continue to pray for me, because the hard part is just now beginning: maintenance! Please pray that I continue to be disciplined and stay on the right path. Everyday, I have to make conscience decisions to stay on top of my health, and it isn't easy. But I have adapted and I am grateful!