A teeny step is better than none at all to get to your goal

I posted about my weight loss but never mentioned how I did it! So here's my little promotion for weight watchers. It worked for me- so if you're like I was and you don't think it will work listen up:

1) I started at 255 lbs size 22/24, at least that's my last recorded weight before my pregnancy weight gain and I am down to 153lbs size 8.

2) I lost about 40 lbs at first by just switching to slimfast for breakfast with yogurt or fruit and a slimfast for lunch with a yogurt or other small extra. This got old after a while and I started to think about how easy it would be to gain it all back if I stopped drinking Slimfast. I didn't want to be stuck drinking this sludge forever. I wanted to learn how to eat so I quit drinking it and started to try to just eat better. I struggled with portion control and didn't know where to start-I needed convenience foods that were good for me-is that even possible?

3) My beautiful and lovely friend, Kelsey, had been mentioning how she wanted an accomplice at her weight watchers meetings. I would smile and nod and say maybe,but I had decided long ago that Weight Watchers was something to be ashamed of being part of because the world would know that you couldn't figure out how to eat for yourself. It seemed all too embarrassing that I simply couldn't figure out something as fundamental as eating right.

4) I realize now that it's more than just having the knowledge to choose a carrot over a cookie. It's having in the forefront of my mind at all times when emotions get the best of me that my body, my health, my family, and my Self are worth the effort.

5) Now, I find myself training for a 5K race, walking instead of driving, and keeping a green happy kitchen that puts the environment and whole foods over waste and convenience! Baby steps really help.

Good Things--When your toddler can craft too!

Now that Izzie is 3 years old she's able to follow some basic directions on gluing and cutting and, with a little guidance on the location of things, assembled this adorable piggie bank! She's very much into counting her pennies and finding change here and there as we go for walks which she claims are from the Tooth Fairy! She's saving up for a Charlie and Lola doll and a Crane for her train set. I walked to the craft supply store to buy Izzie more paints but instead spent the money on this issue of Good Things for Kids: Fun Stuff to Make with Simple

Supplies. We set Izzie up for painting and coloring daily but these sort of constructive, useful projects are right up my alley and get me more involved with Izzie! So today after the routine Sunday trips to the grocery store and library, we're coming home to make the sail boats out of straws, paper, and plastic yoghurt lids and perhaps we'll use some fabric glue to make some catnip and felt fish toys for the kitties! I'll be posting more pics as we make things from this issue! I've now got a partner in craft!

It All Adds Up, You Know!?

When I downloaded the digital photos I took of myself two years and two months ago I labeled the file, "Don't look at me!" (that's the old me in the middle!) It's been an empowering journey of weight loss! I've gone from 255 lbs (my last recorded weight before even my pregnancy weight gain) size 22/24 (2xl) to 158lbs size 8/10!! I'm working on whittling away the last 20 pounds this spring and summer. I suppose after I reach that final weight loss goal I'll have to move on to fitness goals--Mike's going to help me train for a half marathon in December. Gulp! I don't know if running is for me-I'd rather go hiking or speedwalk to get a cup of coffee! I'm up to running 2 miles in 23 minutes. Slow progress, but, one thing I've learned through this is that some progress is better than no progress and in the end it does add up. Tada!