Happy Goalaversary To Me!

One year ago today I made my Weight Watchers weight loss goal of 92 pounds.

A month later I made my personal goal of -102 pounds. Today I am -107 from where I was on February 2, 2002, maintaining at 115 pounds.

I have gone from a size 22/24 to a 2/4.

I have gone from a couch potato to an athlete. I exercise every day, usually about 2 hours a day.

I have gone from choosing not to take control over my food to choosing to have complete control over my food.

I am confident.

I am fit.

I am proud of my accomplishments.

For those who think it can't be done, or it's too hard, or it isn't worth it.

It can.

It isn't.

It is.

For those who think they could do it, if only their life were easier, their health was better, or things settled down a bit...don't put it off. You are never going to be in the perfect place. Do it now. Don't wait.

Challenges have seemed insurmountable this year, but with the support of people in my life; fellow weight-watchers, my wonderful and amazing husband, my family, my friends I made it through the hardest year of my life AND I managed to never let my hardships become an excuse to stop building on the good habits I had built during my weight loss.

December 14 2002 I hit goal, a week later I had kidney stones...yeah, they suck, but they're not THAT big of a deal...unless a CT scan reveals stones AND a pancreatic tumor.

January was surgery number one, which was unsuccessful.

April 1 was surgery number two, a Whipple Procedure which is one of the most complicated and extensive surgeries they do.

April 18 was surgery number three to repair my small intestine.

Between January and May I had 33 days in the hospital, three blood transfusions, two surgeries, nearly died twice, horrific hair days (I mean have you ever had hospital head? It is NOT pretty), lost a frightening amount of weight (lowest was 96 pounds), and spent a lot of time praying.

By August I was back! I gained weight back to a reasonable level, was back in the gym within one week of getting out of the hospital each time. I had my stamina back, was ready to take on a new school year...and then we went on strike. I can't explain how much being on strike sucks when your heart is in the classroom.

So these challenges have thrown a great deal of obstacles into my course, but with the support of great and wonderful people, and most of all God, I've stayed the course and come out victorious. I hope to remain in control of my weight and exercise for the rest of my life and I feel like if I could make it through this year, I can make it through ANYTHING!

Thank you so much everyone for your ongoing support. It has meant a LOT to me this year.