Retrospective

Ahh...it's the time of the turning of the year. A time to look ahead, but also a time to take stock.

I decided this time to take a look not just over the past year, but over my entire weight loss journey to date.

Why? Well, to re-motivate myself during the cold winter months ahead...this journey is not over yet; well, we all know it never will be, but what I mean, really, is that I am still not at my goal weight. I've slipped up and down throughout 2007 and I'd like to finally make it happen in 2008. Taking a look at my past successes should help inspire me. To remind myself of how far I've come and how I managed to do it.

So, here we go:

I started by joining Weight Watchers in May 2006. They day I joined Weight Watchers, I weighed in at 217.2 pounds. In my first post I was pleased and proud to report that I had lost 4.2 pounds in my first week.

By Week 8, I had made it to onederland, weighing in at under 200 pounds. It was a huge milestone for me - a place I hadn't been since before my children were born.

By July 2006, I had lost 10% of my bodyweight. That's enough to begin seeing significant health benefits. It's also the week you get your first real swag at Weight Watchers. The coveted 10% keychain (I still carry it to this day).

After 14 weeks, I had lost exactly 30 pounds and I posted this before and after pic:

September brought with it a candid admission - the Salt & Vinegar diet!

I weighted 175 pounds in November 2006. It was a major milestone for me, and I was thrilled to be wearing new size 12 jeans and a medium sized turtleneck - both from the Gap - a store I had been looking forward to shopping at.

I scraped in under 170 pounds and had my best week EVAH (six pounds down) a few weeks later, and mused on how much weight I actually wanted to lose. I had already lost more weight than I ever thought possible, and felt unstoppable. Did I want to go below 150? I thought so!

And my big milestone...the pinnacle of my success...the day I could say I have lost fifty pounds! And then my fab new dress - size SMALL.

And then I bottomed out (in a good way) at 163 pounds. Wow. I'd lost 55 pounds. I was only 8 pounds away from my Weight Watchers goal (Yeah. Decided after all not to go below 150).

So, that takes us to April 2007. And now, in January 2008, where am I? Well, as my husband rightly pointed out last week after we had pigged out and were comiserating over our guilty consciences, I have lost well over 10% of my total body weight and maintained that loss for nearly 18 months. That's a significant accomplishment and certainly nothing to be sneezed at.

But more to the point, I've gained some weight back, and find myself hovering again around 175. I do still want to get to the elusive 155 - my Weight Watchers goal. To that end, I'm tracking my food again (per Weight Watchers), going to the gym (30 minutes on the treadmill this morning), resuming my weekly yoga classes again and - most importantly - going back to Weight Watchers meetings.

So...it's back to the Weight Loss Journal here in Losing It. Starting this week, join me as I strive to lose 20 more pounds!

Comments

[ali]

i cannot believe that first photo, Kath! it doesn't even look like you. you have done AMAZING things for yourself and you are most certainly a HOT mama!!

[Jen Maier]

Tears in my eyes...you are a total inspiration. Even if you don't feel like one today you absolutely need to focus on what you have done. I am there with you in January! I will come here and use the comments to let you know how I am doing. I have gained 10lbs in the last 4 weeks - ENOUGH!

We're all in this together!!!

[Maria]

Wow, you look so different from the first photo to the last one!!! Because of you I re-joined WW in November, after originally joining in 2002. I lost 8 lbs in my 1st month but then Christmas came & you know the rest of that story. I can't wait to go back to the meetings next week after this very LONG 3 week break! I am with you on this journey also. My goal is 20 lbs to go...