Six Month Evaluations

I've been waiting to write this post because we had to wait to make anything public until the newspaper printed our story. <click there to read it!>

Here's what I can say:
Month 0-3, the weight came off quicker. I was in school with a rigid schedule which allowed me to really stick to the plan.

Month 3-6, weight loss slowed as I got out of school and don't have such a rigid schedule keeping me on track. 

Needless to say, I still made progress in the right direction. Progress that two years ago or even just one year ago wouldn't have been possible. In fact, a year ago, my numbers were consistently going UP. No matter what I tried, I couldn't seem to stay with something long enough for it to be worth it, and I would quit. So I am really proud of myself for sticking with this for 6 months (really more like 7 at this point) ... and making small, consistent life changes for the better! 

I will now show you in photos: 

My photos for the sixth month evaluation
These are just screen shots, so bear with me... 

My "head shots" ... the first picture doesn't even look or feel like me.

What?! Look at that waist! (measured 33" this time!)
Oh.. and 39.6 pounds lost... that's pretty cool!

Oh and just 48.5 inches lost (measured on 14 parts of the body)

And here's a lovely collage I put together of all of them ^^^ 

Something true we don't always think about.

And I'm taking this to a whole different thought, but what I've learned is that someone has to make the decision to be healthy themselves, for themselves and their family. An outsider (doctor, spouse, friend, etc.) is not going to get very far telling a person they "need to lose weight"

I struggled this past week and the week before just being anxious about things. I've had to let my heart rest and not 'worry' so much. What happens is going to be okay- because it has to be. 

Got dressed up and went to dinner last night with Joe and my dad. I felt good wearing this shirt because even when I bought it three years ago it was a bit snug. Now it fits properly, even a little lose. 

I have a knuckle sandwich waiting for anyone who says teachers "don't work in the summer" ...  in just the last three days I've put in almost 10 hours of work, just in the school building, not counting things I've updated and cut and whatever else from home. 

 But then when you get to create something like this it's worth it (it looks better in real life... this picture was taken in the dark) 

I've had this verse on my heart -- and I've been trying to listen to it. 

This is what I needed about this Journey.
Some days kind of suck.
Some days suck big time.
And some days are amazing.
But that's life, and having the ability to say "we're gonna try this again the next day" is the most important part of any journey... right?

So for the next quarter (months 6-9) we had to come up with new goals.
Mine are:
1. Meal prep and take my meals with me to the fair, only treating myself 2-3 times :)
2. Meal prep during school/softball.
3. Compete in the weight lifting competition at Total Fitness on September 17.
4. Be nice to myself. 

Here's to the next three months!