Today marks the third year I have traveled down this life changing path. Three years ago I walked out of Ann's office with my diet in my hands and the knowledge that I must change my life. I knew I must get my husband to help me or I would not succeed because I wasn't that strong willed. That night I sat down and told him everything Ann and I had gone over. He asked me what he could do for me. I told him I needed him to eat what I would be eating and to get the junk food out of the house. That would include his junk food ! He agreed and the rest is history. We made this journey together. I had managed to lose 12 pounds the year before on my first visit with Ann and was now finally really determined to commit myself to the program. I figured I could do better than 12 pounds than the year before if I would stop sabotaging myself. Somehow, with the Lords strength and my families help I managed to over the year before and in the next year lose 88.5 pounds as of today. I have been lighter 4 pounds lighter, but we know that story.


Today I can tell you I have successfully kept the majority of that weight off and am now committed to working off the last 25 pounds after taking my rest from dieting. There have been so many good things to come from this life style change that I have taken this day to reflect upon what this year has meant to me.

1) I can now walk around the stores and at conventions without the use of a scooter. I used to need a scooter when ever I went to a convention hall. This year at my husband's OTC I walked the convention center with him for the first time.

2) I can now walk my dogs and get out and meet my neighbors in the evenings. Three years ago I was confined to an easy chair.

3) My husband and I are now going to church since I now enjoy getting out again. I can physically get out an emotionally want to as well.

4) My house is getting cleaner as I am getting stronger and am more able to take care of it now.

These are just some of the highlights for this year. Those of you who have followed my blog last year know the medicines I have gotten off and the ability to cook now. I wanted to make this part of my blog short when in actuality I could write pages on how I have changed over the past three years.

Today during my work out I realize just how much I lost with a four month lay off. I still was able to walk a mile at 3.0 speed which is pretty good for my SI joint and hip ! The exercise bike was a little more difficult as those muscles didn't like the lay off. When I went to do my core exercises, they let me know I hadn't been doing them. Ugh. I always had a weak stomach !!!!! Still, it felt good to go back to the gym and I am glad my husband is making me keep my membership, bankruptcy or not. He said I need this and he is right.

After work out I realized I forgot my water bottle and only had a soda I was going to drink at lunch but didn't. ( because I drank my water instead ! ). So, I drank the soda. YUCK ! My body did protest ! I am either getting used to water now, or what. I am down to only 2 sodas a day and may be soon cutting that down sooner than I think after this experience today. I don't know why my body protested. I used to be able to drink soda all the time, but not lately. It seems the more I drink water, the more my body likes it. Go figure. I have never been a water drinker so this is something strange to me. I never thought I would ever be saying I like water, ever.

Well, I have to go prepare for my Bible study now. You'all have a nice evening.