Week 53 - Enjoy the moment, there’s always time to get to the “next BIG thing”

The natural tendency we all have inside of us is to focus on the next big thing, rather than enjoying what we have, and what we have accomplished. This is by no means an excuse to rest on your laurels and live in the past, but it can be beneficial to occasionally stop and take stock of what you have accomplished. I needed this post today, because this past week I have been so focused on losing two friggin pounds to get to 80 pounds down for my "1 year anniversary or whatever", and ended driving myself a little nuts. In the end, I lost only 1 pound and ended the year at 79. I was bummed out, and feeling sorry for myself, until I realized that 79 is still awesome, and I should be celebrating how great this year has been.

The number on the scale is important, but it’s just a number. It doesn’t always truly reflect the progress that you have made. So I started thinking about non scale improvements I have made in the last year, and this is what I came up with:

Then: BMI was 47.1
Now: BMI is 33.9

Then: Clothing size was a snug 22, and I was only able to shop @ plus size stores
Now: Clothing size is 12/14, and I have WAY more options!! Shopping is fun again!! And I can always find a t-shirt with a slightly funny off beat saying on it!!!

Then: I was eating fast food several times a week, and consuming around 2500 to 3000 calories a day! (Whoa!!)
Now: I still eat out, but lean meats, fruits and veggies are part of each meal And I eat around 1500 calories a day. (Healthier choices are available everywhere; you just have to be creative!)

Then: I started exercising and was struggling to walk a brisk 2 miles
Now: I exercise 5 to 6 days a week, and I run 2 miles at the beginning of my workouts to get my HR up so I can do the elliptical for 45 minutes!!

Then: I was couldn’t run for more than 2 minutes @ 4.5 mph
Now: I have completed 5 separate 5K races, improving my time in each race.

As I typed out this "Then & Now" list it really hit home for me that, I shouldn't give the scale as much power as I do. I'm healthier, more active and these are things that the scale can't tell you.

79 pounds GONE! That is awesome! I'm proud of myself!