My Weight Loss Journey

As anyone who knows me knows...I have struggled with weight all of my adult life. It is a constant battle with me, one that I continue to fight even now. Seems like I am either gaining or losing. I have never been successful at finding the "sweet spot" of weight maintenance. I would like to say that it is hereditary, or that I have a slow metabolism...but even if there is just a shred of truth to that, I have come to realize that the biggest reason I am overweight is because I eat too much! Plain and simple. I love food, and love sweets of most any kind. Self control may be a virtue, but it is not one I can claim success at attaining. Will I ever?

Back in 1985 I joined Weight Watchers for the very first time, and lost a whopping 93 pounds in just 14 months. I stayed at my goal weight for about 10 minutes :-), and then slowly started putting it back on. Five years later, I was back where I started. How could I have let that happen??? I worked so hard!

Several times since then I have made repeated attempts to get back to my goal weight. I tried aversion therapy, Weight Watchers (again), Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers (again), etc. I always managed to lose 10, 20, even 30 pounds, and then BOOM, right back I would go. In October of 2007, I hit my highest weight ever. I also developed (at 50 years old) high blood pressure, which scared me. I hung my head and put my tail between my legs as I went back, AGAIN, to my old standby. It DID work...so long as I followed the program. I also knew that it was healthy and fairly easy way to lose. Here I am when I rejoined in October of 2007:

I made up my mind that I was going to lose it this time. I had grandbabies now! I wanted to be a healthy grandma, one that would (hopefully) be around a while. Pound by pound, it began to come off. I'd gain a few, lose a few more, and yet, at the end of each month, I was less than the month before. Well most of the time, anyway! Thanksgiving and Christmas were a major stumbling block, and I had to lose the 13 pounds I gained, ALL OVER AGAIN!

You know, I am not sure I even care about getting down to my original goal weight of 147. I am older, and my skin is sure not what it used to be. It is already getting pretty floppy. I think I could maintain a higher weight fairly easily (Famous last words! We'll see!), and still enjoy the kinds of food we like to eat. So, I am now setting my goal about 25 pounds higher. Not thin, but comfortable. Will the doctor be happy? Probably not...but hey, it's an improvement. I joined a gym, and have been exercising 5 days a week. He had better not complain with THAT thrown in the pot!

Here is a pic of me this Mother's Day, after losing 50 pounds. I was happy when I compared it next to the other one. I have taken a long time to lose this 50 pounds, and tend to get discouraged and forget that I HAVE made progress. There's a few more wrinkles there...but I guess I'd rather have the wrinkles than the fluff.

I know that a lot of you out there struggle with weight too, and completely understand what I am talking about here. We need to stick together!! A good support system means a lot to those walking this road. I sure hope I can keep this off, and lose the rest. It sure is a struggle!

In Praise of Motherhood (warning: a mushy post!)

I am so grateful to be a mother. Although I became a mother at a very young age, it was something I had always wanted, and something that defines my very being. My children make me so proud! From the time they were little, I have been proud of them. Not just of their accomplishments, but of everything else that makes them who they are. Their sensitivity, their devotion to God, their thoughtfulness, the honor they show, the steadfastness to which they hold to their beliefs...I could go on and on. They have grown up to be incredible adults, and wonderful parents. As I watch my children nuture their children, I realize even more how very blessed I am. They are such good parents, and I am grateful to know that my grandchildren have parents that are so loving, responsible, and patient. Mike and I were parents at a very young age, and made a lot of mistakes. I am so thankful that God redeemed our efforts. Despite all of our shortcomings, our children have grown up to be amazing people.

Please enjoy, with me, a few of my favorite pictures. Then, scroll down a little further to see some pictures of MY mom!

I could not leave this post without a couple of my favorite pictures of my brother and I with our mom...hope you enjoy them, too. Happy Mother's Day, Mom!