Changes (Part 1)

Who knew at the close of 2008 the changes that would take place in our little family. On December 1st, Lucas and I made a resolution (we didn't wait till the New Year.) We decided to get in shape and become more active and fit. I have always been someone who has struggled with their weight. What can I say, I love food. But, I have to admit that I use food to combat depression, anxiety, boredom. When I had my daughter, Niamh, something in me clicked and I decided that I wanted all my children, especially Niamh to have high self esteem and confidence in themselves and most of all to love themselves from the inside out. I have to admit that I have let my feelings of inadequacy hold me back in certain things throughout my life because of being overweight. Lucas and I did not have a gym membership when we started losing weight, but started running together at a park close to our house. We also purchased a Biggest Loser workout video. After a few months, we joined the gym and started working out 4-5 days a week. Along with working out at least an hour everyday, we changed our eating habits. We were conscious of portions and cut out sweets. We drank more water, cut out soda. We didn't snack while watching T.V (my downfall.) Our goal was to meet our weight goal by Memorial Day (May 25, 2009.) Well, we were at our half way mark by then, but not close to finishing. For all of you out there who have struggled with weightloss, you know that it is not easy to keep dropping the "lbs." You have a bad week and you gain 5 lbs. You work your butt off everyday and eat like a bird and lose only 1lb. It's not fair sometimes. Lucas buoyed me up when I wanted to give up and I pushed him when he wanted to quit. We had weeks when I would eat a pan of brownies in one sitting and Lucas would drink gallons of Coke (maybe not gallons.) Everyone knows that when you fall, you just have to get right back up and keep going. So, here we are heading for the close of 2009. I hoped to be posting that we have reached our weight goal but we still have a little bit to go. We can see the finish line, the end is always the hardest part. We are proud of ourselves and our lives have changed so much for the better.
Lucas has lost 70lbs and I have lost 44lbs.

Before (Christmas 2008)

After (August 2009)