Weight Update 10/20/11

This was the only recent picture of myself I had...this was taken at my sister-in-law Vivian (isn't she beautiful!?) baby shower this past weekend. It has been 18 weeks since I started this weight loss journey...and it has truly been a life-changing event. My entire mindset has changed. Food doesn't rule me anymore...it fuels me. I know that sounds so cliche but it is who I am now, you know? I still enjoy eating food and cooking for my family, but now my focus is on nutrition and how I can get the most 'bang for my buck' out of my meals. Yes I still enjoy a fun bite here and yummy taste there. :) But I have control now. Our Challenge declaration- "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels!"

So weight loss update...drum roll again please...I have lost 21.5 pounds!!!!

I am going to be real with my numbers on this blog so if you don't want to know the nitty gritty details, then you can stop here and then look below at my pics. :)

In true Biggest Loser fashion (one of my most favorite shows)...
My starting weight was 172.6 pounds. Remember, I am only 5'2".
My measurements were as below.
Right thigh (below my butt)- 24.5 inches
Hips (widest part)- 42.5 inches
Waist (1 inch below my belly button)- 41.5 inches

I now weigh 151.2 pounds. Current measurements below.
Right thigh- 21.75 inches {lost almost 3 inches!!}
Hips- 37.5 inches {lost 5 inches!!}
Waist- 34 inches {lost 7.5 inches!!}

This is a total of 21.5 pounds and 15.25 inches lost!!!

I got this verse courtesy of Kelly's Korner blog and it truly touched my heart...especially after years of being so unhappy with my body and with having two girls. I know I must have and declare positive self image to my girls so that they can be happy in their own skin.

Psalm 45:11 Let the King be enthralled by your beauty; honor Him, for He is your Lord.

When I am feeling yucky or down on myself, I must remember that I am made in His image and He is ENTHRALLED by my beauty...the Lord of the world knows every single hair on my head, every pound on my butt and hips and is still ENTHRALLED by my beauty. Doesn't that just make you smile!? It truly warms my heart and makes me want to just run up to heaven with my arms open wide, tears on my face and a huge 'Thank You' on my lips!

Justin has loved watching my confidence in myself come back...he has always thought I was hot but he says he loves that my confidence and love for myself has come back in full!

I wanted to show you some pictures that have been such a blessing for me to see. They are a scrapbook of my running pictures ranging from January 2010, my first 5K race to October 2011, my recent 10K race. I did not put all my races (there has been 10!) but I showed a few.

January 2010- Madilyn was only 7 months old. Lots of baby weight here as you can see.
April 2010- starting to gain some shape but still overweight. Food habits weren't changing even though I was running about 2-3 times a week.

November 2010- Big time jump here. Starting to gain leg definition but still overweight.

February 2011- First 10K race. Really starting to be bothered by my lack of weight loss but heavy in my Master's thesis work and was waiting to graduate in May to start to get 'serious'.

October 2011- Second 10K race. Improved my time by almost 9 minutes! I say this is probably the loss of 25-30 pounds so it was much easier to get this butt moving! LOL!
Justin and I love this picture because to us it symbolizes my success over my weight...I am so happy and feel so great at where I am now. I know the rest of the weight will come off and I know that our family has changed forever. We will be a healthy family who eats nutritiously, who exercises and who is pleasing the Lord with our good choices.