A picture speaks a thousand words

Three years ago to this very day I walked into my weight watchers meeting. Stepping on those scales at 16st 12.5 was absolutely mortifying.
I was 18, a first year university student and should have been having the time of my life, don't get me wrong I was, but my weight was holding my back.

3 years on I weight 10st 10lbs, have a heaps more confidence and I'm learning to love who I am.

These three years have taught me it's not all about the number on the scale, it's about the psychological aspect, getting fit, changing your life style habits, surrounding yourself with amazing friends and family.

It hasn't been easy, if I said it had I'd be lying. There's been times I've wanted to throw in the towel, not track my food and just wish I was naturally healthy. But we all know if you want something you've got to work for it. And it's times like these where my fabulous friends and family have been there to remind me just how far I've come. Plus I'm to stubborn to give up! So a massive thank you to everyone, you really are amazing to me and don't know how much I appreciate your support <3 p="">
I think it's safe to say I'm a completely different person to who walked into that school hall 3 years ago.  One of the main things I'm coming to terms with if loving my body, I've worked damn hard for this and yes so I may have loose skin but I can change that. Yes I may have stretch marks, but there a part of who I was, they remind me of where I've come from & where I'm never, ever going back to.

                                                         (cannot believe I've just posted this online: but love your body. You earnt it!)

 I can't believe these photo's are the same person.

 It's hard and it's a struggle, but it's worth it. And to anyone out there who's embarking on their own weight loss journey. Remember to do it for you because you deserve it & you are worth it.

Love as always
xxxx

Life's to short to spend another day at war with yourself.

I haven't blogged in a while, and maybe that's directly related to the fact I haven't lost any weight lately either. I haven't put any on either which must be a good thing. But I just feel like a totally crappy weight watcher sometimes.

This all came to a head yesterday, and thanks to my wonderful friends, family and twitter followers I am now back focused, somewhat a little more proud of where I've come from and ready to face the week and get closer to goal. Again.

Next week, 17th May, will mark my 3 year anniversary with Weight Watchers. I can't believe it's almost 3 years ago I walked into that school hall and stepped on the scales for the very first time. I could not imagine how much my life has changed since that day. I remember it like it was yesterday, walking into my flat mates room and telling her I would be home late from work because I was joining weight watchers, no explanation, probably because I was shitting it about telling people. But I got back and all of my friends were amazingly supportive.

Since then I've lost 6 stone 1 lbs. But the number on the scales isn't everything. And this is something I struggle getting my head around, and I'm sure a lot of you can relate to. When we start this journey along with getting healthy, and losing weight the main aim is to see that goal number on the scales. And for most of the journey that is what we work for. That number.

Along the way, we realise that, that isn't the end moment, we need to enjoy the journey along the way, appreciate what we have achieved, and continue to achieve before we see that number on the scale.

There may be moments where you just want to give up, and to be honest I think the closer to goal I get the more often they become. I sometimes think getting to goal is a just a dream; but one day ; it will happen.

I'm 11 lbs from goal, and it may take me another 6 months or so to get there but the things I have achieved in the last 3 years out weigh the length of time it's taken me to get there.

I've gone from a size 22 to a size 10-12
I've run 2 half marathons, the 2nd one knocking 9 minutes off my first time
I've run a sub 1 hour 10K
I've been featured in a magazine for my
weight loss
I've been posted on the Weight Watchers Facebook page getting over 1800 likes
I've met some wonderful people I'm proud to call my friends along the way thanks to twitter & Facebook
I've graduated from university
I've applied to run a marathon in 2014

And the happiness of these achievements sure as hell outweighs the fact that the scales don't read my goal weight. But they sure as hell don't read 16st 12.5 which they did 3 years ago.

I've changed so much as a person not only physically, I like to think I've grown up (sometimes) become more aware of others and who I am.

A good friend said to me yesterday " One day at a time, but not necessarily every day in a row" And it could  not be more true. We are all human, we are all going to slip up, life gets in the way, but getting back up and trying again is what makes us strong. It's also so easy to focus on the negative stuff (another friend pointed this out to me) and sometimes we need to stop, and take account of what we've actually achieved.

The fact that people see me as an inspiration is amazing, and I will continue on this journey, not only for myself, but to continue inspiring those around me.

The support from everyone that I get is incredible, and I cannot thank you enough. You probably don't realise just how much it means.

Lots of love
xxxx