Week: 13
Pounds Lost: 28.2
Wow. Another four pounds last week and I am within one pound of being half-way to my final goal weight. I’m also now under 190 pounds (at 5’8″) – a weight I haven’t seen since I began dating my husband over ten years ago. At this rate (I’m averaging a respectable 2 pound loss per week) I’ll be at my goal by the end of November. Yesss!!!
Now, my last two weeks have been remarkable – 4.4 pounds followed by 4 pounds. This past week my leader wanted to know what my big secret was, and I felt a bit ashamed to tell her that I’ve simply been busy looking after my own two children plus three others for the last two weeks. There are days that I find myself wondering why I’m so hungry at 3:00 in the afternoon only to realize that I haven’t eaten anything yet. Between feeding and caring for (and cleaning up after!) five kids, it simply didn’t even occur to me to sit down and eat something. I’ve become one of those people I always scoffed at – those who lose weight when things get busy and stressful; ’cause I was always the one who ate myself through those times, gaining 10 pounds after a rough month at work or home.
Well, this week I vowed things would change. I’ve been going to bed early and waking up early – the rewards are twofold: I get a half-hour to myself in the morning (well, actually, I work on the computer during that time, but at least it’s uninterrupted!) and I get a chance to eat breakfast. Plus, I chucked the Kraft Dinner (and other kids’ insta-meals) and have started to make a meal fit for myself at lunchtime. This way, the kids get a really healthy option, I only have to prepare one meal andI get the benefit of sitting down to eat with them. I’ve also been trying to integrate exercise into my daily activities with the kids – if I don’t, I just don’t have the energy at the end of the day!
I’ve also stopped to take stock of myself physically and emotionally at this half-way point in my journey. I’m crossing ground I’ve never (or not in a long time, anyway) crossed before. I’m wearing a size of pants I haven’t worn since I was a teenager. I’ve lost nearly 30 pounds, and I’m not stopping any time soon! I’m amazed every day at my own positive attitude and tenacity – at how my successes and failures can inspire others to take the journey towards healthy living alongside me and also be successful. I’m inspired by others who have gone before me and those who have taken the first (and hardest!) courageous step by saying, “I’m doing it, too!”
In the midst of a record-breaking busy, stressful month, I’ve found a quiet spot in the preparation of this post and the contemplation of my happy journey towards health. Here’s hoping you’ll find yours, as well.
Kath is a Calgary mom of two, half-way to her goal of losing 60 pounds! Join her here each week for the latest instalment in her story. Please share your comments, thoughts, questions and success stories below, in comments.