Tipping the Scales

I have a huge issue with my weight.

I'm always thinking about it, always checking it, and I randomly measure myself to see how I'm doing on the ol' inches.

I have been overweight off and on my whole life. My weight has flucuated by about 80 pounds since I was 17. And I was a fat kid. So things haven't been very constant for me, ever.

I came home from backpacking in Australia at about 200 pounds. I left here at about 160. It took me a while, a light switch was finally flicked on, and I got myself down to about 155 pounds after months and months of work. I stayed there for about 3 1/2 years, all through college.

Then came real life, the real world-a full time job, which meant full days sitting at a desk. And getting engaged, which meant lots of planning. And I was finishing up my degree. I'm sure I don't have to say it, but I didn't have much time for working out.

It wasn't the working out that got all though, because I did still go 2-3 times a week. It was the constant snacks and treats at the office. BBQs, donuts, popcorn, you name it, my office has it. I didn't even want these things a lot of the time, I was just bored, so I ate, and I ate, and I ate.

I put on 5, 6 pounds, getting me into the realm of the 160s. A dangerous slide, my friends, as this happened in a matter of months.

I put this weight on right around the time of my first dress fitting. I bought my dress at around 153, right after doing a cleanse, so going to a fitting at 160 was a massive shock to my system. I knew it was tight. I knew it was an issue. I subtly tried to sit down and I could barely breath. I got worried, and I got upset. The seamstress made the appropriate alterations so I would fit into it, but it was the wake up call I needed. I needed to make some decisions and make some changes. I only had about 4 1/2 months until the wedding.

First thing I did was swear off all food from the office. I was only allowed to eat the food that I brought in. I got back into packing my breakfast and lunch the night before. I began eating 4 times at work-breakfast, snack, lunch, snack. Breakfast was 2 pieces of fruit or a hard boiled egg and fruit, snack was veggies, lunch was usually a homemade broth soup or a salad, and snack was a piece of fruit, but only if I needed it. I meant business. Dinner was chicken and brown rice and veggies, or fish, or a big salad. Good, healthy food that made me feel good.

Second thing I did was get my butt back to the gym. Twice a day. It might sound extreme but I needed to do it. I did an hour of cardio and abs before work in the morning, and then went back at lunch and did weights and abs. I did this usually 4 days a week. In total I was at the gym on average 7-10 times a week. I was getting my money's worth, that was for sure!!

My last dress fitting came when I was about 145. The seamstress even whispered to me at the end, you've done so good. That meant a lot.

By the time the wedding came around I was about 142 pounds. I lost about 18 pounds from that horrible day at the seamstress. My dress fit amazingly. And it was comfortable. I could move, I could sit, I could breath. And I was proud. I felt so confident, I was so happy with the way I looked. It's the first time in my life I felt like I was really, truly happy with where my body was at.

The honeymoon was relaxing. I only put on about 5 or 6 pounds. Which I think is pretty amazing considering I ate and ate and drank and drank for 3 weeks straight. I think that shows that I'm learning the balance.

I will write more about that balance tomorrow, but I feel like this post has gotten huge!! Stay tuned...

Have a wonderful rest of your day!

Shauna