Leading to the Next Part

As you all know, I've been working on a number of aspects of my life: weight, finishing my education, moving in with the boyfriend, and starting a new career. In order to gain insight to the full picture, I have to share where I am coming from in each of these areas. So, with that in mind, this post begins a four-part series about where I've been, where I am, and where I'm going.

Without further ado, welcome to my life.

My Weight Struggles

In my younger years, weight was not really an issue. I am petite (4'11" (and 3/4)) and was always within a healthy range for my size. And in high school I was fairly active, especially my senior year when I joined the dance team. At my best, I weighed 115 lbs, and wore a size 5 in most clothes.

2003 OSAA State Championship

It wasn't until after high school that I began to find difficulty keeping the weight off. Emotional stress, coupled with poor food/drink choices led to some gain. I don't remember how far it got but I'm sure it leveled off in the 130s. Then, in 2008 after much more emotional turmoil, I got into a relationship with food and an anti-depressant called celexa. I gained 40 more pounds, peaking at 188. Boy was that a shock but it wasn't enough to make me do anything. I moved in La Grande in 2009 and felt like I should do something but wasn't ready yet. Despite picking up some additional physical activity, I lost only 10 lbs from 2009 to 2012.

Las Vegas, June 2011

Spring 2012, Easter

Finally, something had to give. In December 2012, I was given a rare opportunity. Between ending at one job and starting another I had four weeks off. I spent that time working on my MBA thesis paper, painting a room in our new house, and going to the gym. I had always wanted to try Zumba but had an excuse every time I made effort to go. But this time, there were no more excuses. From those classes, I met some really great friends who have been elemental in my weight loss journey so far. Christine and Krista, instructors at my gym, are amazing. And Christine introduced me to my real weight loss catalyst: Weight Watchers.

Believe me when I say I never thought I would do WW. My mom lost 44 lbs on it but I had it engrained in my head that WW is for old people (ha!). On March 9, 2013 I had my first weigh in, 171.6. As of yesterday, May 18, 2013 I have lost 14.2 lbs. While I am on my way, I still have a long way to reach 115. Already I am feeling and seeing the affects of my loss. I am wearing size 12 pants and don't have difficulty reaching my shoes in the morning (winning!). I forgot how good it feels to be thin(ner than my previous incarnation). 

Sorry I don't have any recent photos. I'm still a little camera shy. I will definitely have some to share after Chris' brother and sister in law visit later this week.

So there you go. That's my story. Stay tuned for part 2, finishing my education, later this week. :)

Stronger... 6 years later

So, most people don't know much about me. I say that honestly. I keep my inner me well guarded and separate from the me everyone gets to see. And unfortunately I came by that honestly - a string of bad relationships, mixed with bad decisions, and low self-esteem.

That's the bad news. Life wasn't always pretty for me. But here comes the good part, one that I wish I could share with more people...

IT GETS BETTER.

I don't mean that in the "don't kill yourself" way (though I mean it that way too). I mean that I never thought I would get beyond: beyond the person I was in 2007. Beyond the hurt. Beyond the hate. Beyond the "I can't". Beyond feeling that death was my only option. I never thought I would get to a point where I'd look back on that time grateful I don't feel that way anymore.

But here it is. 2013. I live in a beautiful community, with a wonderful man who has shown me a love I've never known before. With friends who I care for so deeply and I know feel the same about me. No drama. No liars. Just life. AND I LOVE IT.

So by now you're probably wondering what the point of this post is. Here it comes: I love my life. I am finally becoming the person I dreamed of being, without knowing I was dreaming of it. I have a future. I have a quality life. And I feel so lucky to be where I am now.

In short (or long, whatever), I'm just feeling pretty grateful for my life that I almost missed living. Thanks to everyone who helped me get here, good or bad. You know who you are.

70 Degrees and Counting

Today the temperature outside is expected to get to above 70 degrees. It finally feels a little like spring. With the beautiful weather comes the outside chores that HAVE to get done if we don't want our house to look like... trash...

So we've planted some blueberry bushes recently purchased, mowed the backyard, installed a door stop on the shop door, and watered our seedling plants. This year we will have  tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkins, bell and hot peppers, butternut squash, and yellow squash. We've already got our peas in the ground. Good thing we have a large garden space at our new house.

Today was also my 8th weigh in with Weight Watchers. I'm down a total of 9.6 lbs since March 9th, and exceeded my 5% goal weight. I have to admit it feels pretty good to be making such progress. I look forward to next week when I should achieve 10 lbs overall loss. Bring on the beautiful weather and healthy living!

2012 garden

The Beginnings of... Something?

So I have been pondering lately this idea of writing my activities, thoughts, triumphs, failures, and such in a place where people who like me (or don't) can read about said musings. And so today, when I tried to comment on one of my favorite food blogs (skinnytaste.com) and was prompted to log-in to blogger, I figured now is as good a time as any.

I suppose initially it will be weird. I mean, who wants to read what I have to say? But I suppose every person who takes the time to write their life on the internet has those thoughts. Then again, let's be real. I'm pretty funny. And I'm smart. So who wouldn't want to read about my silly life and being.

Without further ado, I bring you... The Musings of a Mary