It’s official!  I’ve now lost another 100 pounds!  That’s right, this is the second (and final) time that I’ve lost that much weight.  Back in 2003 I accomplished the same goal.  It was a victory that I only enjoyed for a few days because I immediately put it back on. Why?  Because I really hadn’t changed any of my behavioral habits that would sustain the weight loss.

This time is much different.  I have changed in so many ways!  I think the most important change has been in the way I view myself.  Before it was all about how I “looked”.  Since that was not a pretty picture, it tainted my whole life.  All the other “good” stuff that I had going on in my life didn’t seem to matter.  It all came back around to hating the way I looked. 

Don’t get me wrong, I still want to look good.  J  However, I’m not 20, 30 or 40 years old anymore.  I am a middle-age grandmother (I plan to live until I’m at least 100) who is so much more than a number on the scale.  I have a purpose in life.  God has great plans for me and created me for His good pleasure if for nothing more.

Another change is in my relationship with food which I’ve already addressed in one of my past blogs.  I have made a lifetime adjustment in my eating habits.  Whoever penned the quote “nothing tastes as good as being healthy feels” was absolutely right.  I think about the lasting results of anything that I put in my body.

I think it’s quite fitting that I would reach my goal during the same month as the Olympics.  I realize that I’m not an athlete and certainly am not trying to put myself in the same category.  I had the opportunity to read the backgrounds of some of these inspiring athletes and realized that most of them have had setbacks in their own journeys to being successful.  Disappointments, failures, injuries, discouragement, depression, it hits all of us.  The difference is they didn’t quit.  They pushed through, started over, kept training and it paid off.

Guess what?  I’ve done some of those same things.  Even though I lost 100 pounds before and gained it back (plus more), I started over.  I rejoined Weight Watchers for the umpteen time, renewed my membership at the gym, stopped eating junk food, and started taking care of myself.  It was harder and it took longer this time around, (I’m sure that being 9 years older had something to do with it) but I’m pressing on.  I feel like I’m still going for the gold.  I am a Champion in my own journey.  I weighed over 350 pounds at one time and now I’m almost in the 100’s.  Yeehaw!!!

My next challenge:  Going on vacation.  Make sure and read my blog next month to see how I did.  I assure you the outcome will be better than our last vacation because I’m going fully prepared to succeed.