45

On June 1, 2009 I made a goal to lose 45 pounds. I was in no rush, because I knew that crash diets and quick weight loss often fail. To help myself meet my goal I made a poster with the number 45 in the middle of it and wrote all the reasons I wanted to accomplish my goal. I hung it on my wall in front of my bed. I really had no idea how long it would take and how I would get there.

With the help of weight watchers, exercise, a wonderful friend, a lot of self reflection, and perseverance I met my goal last Tuesday.

March 2009

August 2010

I have never been happier and I have never believed in myself more. Goals are powerful things. The funny thing is that I never really used to believe in setting goals. I never believed that by just by putting your mind to something you could accomplish it. But as each month went by and each pound fell off (and stayed off) I started to believe.

I like to think of what I did as dieting in the real world. I didn't deprive myself of treats, or eat nothing but salads for 14 months. I changed the way I ate, I changed the amount I ate, but mostly I changed the way I thought about food. I found other ways to manage and cope with my stress and fear. I tried Yoga, I rewarded myself with new clothes, I cuddled with my dogs, I talked a lot about my feelings and I still ate plenty of ice cream and cookies.