2 Year Anniversary!

I cannot believe it has been 2 years since my first weight loss surgery. I have gone from a size 22/24 to a size 6, lost 105 lbs, and I have had my plastic surgeries. I still want to lose 20 more lbs, but it just does NOT want to come off! I have been slacking lately, but I am back on track. I never dreamed I could go on a run, but I actually ran (well most of it) 1.5 miles yesterday. I also walked another 2.5 miles pushing the stroller as well, so I had a great cardio day! I am eating 500-1000 calories a day and low card to try and get this last 20 off. I have to say that it is really frustrating because the scale just isn't moving!!! I am used to the weight pretty much falling off of me, but that doesn't happen anymore. Honeymoon is definitely over!

I am also 6 months post op from my plastics and STILL have a ton of swelling in my tummy and back. It can range from 2 to 6 lbs per day depending on what I do and the level of activity. I am so ready for that to go away as well!

I had a friend take pictures of my recently, and we had so much fun! I wanted to dress up like a 1940's pin-up girl, so I could make a calendar for Chief to take with him when he deploys to Iraq late this fall. Thank you http://chelseamckinleyphotography.blogspot.com/ and http://www.kaciowensphotography.com/! Love you both! Here are some of my favorite pictures! FYI~ I was really swollen during this shoot!  Also, everything is covered, but these pictures are definitely flirty!

Breaking down the walls...

Back in April, I had my 1 year anniversary of my weight loss surgery. On that day, I wrote a little something that I would like to share with you all. My family and very close friends have already seen it, and I am now ready to share it with everyone else. See, I used to be embarrassed that I had to have surgery because I couldn't lose this on my own. I have finally decided that letting that wall fall was so much easier than keeping it up! My surgeries were a tool that helped me lose weight, but I STILL had to put in a lot of hard work. ALOT! I was in the gym at least 6 days a week for hours at a time, still had to count and track my calories, had to resist the head hunger and tell myself that I was not hungry, and still be a mom, a wife, a bank manager, and all the other stuff life threw at me. Why in the heck should I be embarrassed about that???? I have accomplished so many things in the last 18 months! I have finally given myself permission to be PROUD of myself! After I finally have all of my plastic surgery, I think I will finally be able to breathe a little bit. I can really enjoy my new found life and body!

So, I hope this little note I wrote on my 1 year surgerversary will touch you and inspire you to change things in your life that you do not like.

One year ago today, I was the girl that was told she had pretty hair and eyes.

One year ago today, my legs and knees rubbed together when I walked.

One year ago today, I had a hard time trying to tie my shoes.

One year ago today, I couldn’t cross my legs.

One year ago today, I waddled when I walked.

One year ago today, I had to struggle to get myself off the floor.

One year ago today, I pretended I wasn't the biggest person in the room.

One year ago today, I couldn’t carry my kids to bed without becoming out of breath.

One year ago today, I was the person that everyone pitied when I came in to the room.

One year ago today, I weighed much more than my husband.

One year ago today, I couldn’t go up stairs without my knees hurting and becoming out of breath.

One year ago today, I had to wear big clothes to cover my fat.

One year ago today, I shopped in only 1 store.

One year ago today, I would never even consider living in Hawaii because of the way I looked.

One year ago today, I got overheated just getting ready to go to work.

One year ago today, I worried if I would drop food on my shirt because my belly and chest were in the way.

One year ago today, I could eat a large fast food value meal and still not be satisfied.

One year ago today, my kids could not get their arms around me to hug me.

One year ago today, I worried if I was too heavy to lay down with my kids in their beds.

One year ago today, my Dr. cared enough about me to save my life.

One year ago today, I was excited, scared, anxious, and ready to start my new journey.

One year ago today, I took the leap of faith to change my life forever.

One year ago today, I had hopes and dreams that are now a reality

Even though my journey is not over, I will never be the person I was, one year ago today