LibbySis

I had given up on this a while ago. Then, I was sick recently and realized that I’m only 5 pounds away from my goal weight. What a shock!! I quit focusing on losing weight and started focusing on living a life that made me happy and the weight came off. I stopped eating when I was full. I chose healthier foods that made me feel better afterwards. I got enough sleep. I started days with yoga. Chose to walk or take stairs instead of waiting on elevators. None of it was with the idea of losing weight—just moving. Friends and I go for walks or work out or watch TV together instead of meeting at the bar. I’m losing weight and saving money.

Then in August, a friend and I started rock climbing and discovered it is a BLAST. Finally—a workout that I really love and look forward to doing—not something I force myself to do.

I just threw away some pants that are now THREE SIZES too big. I’m fitting into my goal size—a 12—while I still enjoy life.

I’m 90% through. Ben-Hur was a rough road. I can’t believe I’d never seen Giant before. I’m sure I’ll see it many more times in my life.

Now, I’m only weighing myself at the doctor. I picked up some pretty horrible behaviors when I weighed myself, even just weekly. I found that I was afraid to eat and I never enjoyed food—even healthy things—because I’d memorized the caloric intake of EVERYTHING. It was horrible. I stopped enjoying food and exercise because I was just beating myself up. I got to a point where I was so hungry I cried, but would not allow myself to eat because of the calories and that damn weigh-in.

So, I started eating—but now just try to pay attention to what I am eating and when I am full. Turns out—I really DON’T have to clean my plate! And I can eat french fries once in a while—especially if I split the small with a friend.

Plus, I finally found a great sport so I look forward to work-outs. I am totally addicted to rock climbing. Now, when I work out, I think about how these exercises will let me tackle more challenging walls and not about how many calories I burn.

So, I don’t know how much weight I’ve lost. But I am starting to fit into clothes in my goal size now. I’m not totally there yet, but the skirts zip and don’t look obscenely tight!