The Journey Begins Again

Is this my first journey to lose weight?  Nope, not even close.  Will it be my last?  I don't think so.  So, why do it?  Because not doing it is what I've been doing for the last few years, and that just isn't working for me anymore.

Who I was in 2001:

I was teaching kindergarten, and that was my yearbook photo.  When I saw that picture of me, I wanted to cry.  I had battled my weight pretty much forever, but that picture showed me what I had been denying.. man, I had really packed on the pounds! My heaviest recorded weight was 245, I was a size 20-22.  I joined Weight Watchers and I followed the plan.  And I lost weight!  

Who I was in 2006:

That's me in 2006.  I weighed 200.5 lbs (I never did quite break that 200lb barrier) in that picture.  That dress was a size 10.  I only just got rid of that dress from the back of my closet a few months ago when I went "fat clothes shopping" (for the hopefully last time) and needed to make room in the closet.  Weight Watchers really does work, as long as you do the work!  The problem is, I stopped doing the work.  I don't know why, I'm sure I blamed it on being too busy or it costs too much or some other lame excuse. The years from 2006-2010 were not too bad, my weight fluctuated from 210-220 for the most part.  I would diet and workout and lose, then put a few pounds back on.  Each time I gained a little more than I lost.  Two steps forward, three steps back.  It didn't happen all at once, but I was packing on those pounds again.

Who I am now:

That's me.  Another picture that pretty much makes me want to cry.  Another undeniable piece of evidence that I'm not hiding my weight as well as I thought.  Here are some interesting facts about this picture.  I am 255 lbs and wearing size 16.  How is it that I am 10lbs over my previous heaviest weight, and yet I'm 2 dress sizes smaller?  That is a mystery to me for sure.  It is possible the weight is just distributed differently, but it is also possible what we call a 16 these days is not the same as a 16 in 2005.  As we (Americans) get fatter are they messing with the sizes?  Just a thought... a disturbing one for sure!  

I managed to gain 14lbs in 2012.  Meaning that I am 14lbs heavier than I was at this time last year.  One strange thing about that is that I have really worked hard on working out this year.  I think I've worked out more this year than any other year, and yet have gained weight overall.  The likely culprit?  Food.  I love it.  I'm not ashamed to say that, but I obviously have been out of control in that area over the last year(s).  So, it's back to Weight Watchers for me!  I signed up last week, and I vow to stick to the plan for 52 weeks (and hopefully forever).  And I will keep track of my progress and thoughts here.

I think writing about this journey to lose will inspire me to stay on track.  I hope it inspires you too!

My WW Leader, Suzie, shared this with me...
http://manmeetsscale.com/2012/12/17/holiday-gifts-that-matter-the-human-spirit-on-display/
The 20 minute talk by Jennie is definitely worth listening to... wow, if she can do what she has done... surely I can reach my goals!