24 down...76 to go

So I went to the doctor this morning to discuss a concern of mine. I keep feeling this lump (sort of like a big marble) in my jaw. It moves around and sometimes feels bigger...other times it's small enough I can't find it. Long story short, said a little prayer before the doctor came in and "thank you God" it's just a lymph node!! Didn't know lymph nodes just kind of float around and they can get swollen when you have a lot of drainage or an infection...just like your glands would! So they took some blood to see if I have an infection, but it could also be because my allergies are sooooo terrible right now, so I have a lot of drainage.

But the true point of this entry is some exciting news. The last time I met with Dr Abler was July 10th. In exactly one month I lost another 10 pounds, so I'm up to 24 pounds lost!!!! I'm so excited that I'm seeing this type of success this time around.

You know, in past times I've started this same journey, I had in my head that I should lose a lot of weight quickly because that's what happens when you're as overweight as I am. You see a lot of initial weight loss. Those times I didn't see results like that, so I got frustrated and decided it wasn't worth spending the money each month if I wasn't losing weight!!!

Reality check: I'm 10 years older than I was the first time I ever did Weight Watchers, during which I lost over 70 pounds. Increased age = decreased metabolism = increased difficulty in burning calories. The first time I joined the program I didn't truly exercise for the first 4-5 months!!!! I plateaued, joined the YMCA (it was a free membership through my work at the time), and less than a year later I was 70 pounds lighter.

This time around everything is different. First of all, exercise is my friend...it has to be one of my best friends, because this time around I'm not going to be able to accomplish my goals without it! But I don't hate it. In fact, the days I don't get to spend time with my new best friend, I actually kind of feel like crap! Whoa, hold the show...who is this person inside my body having an actual desire to be physically fit???!!! :)

My goal isn't to lose the weight yesterday. After all, it took 2 babies (who I wouldn't trade for the world) and 8 years of bad health decisions to put the weight on. It's not going to come off over night. I want a lifetime of change filled with good decisions regarding diet and exercise. I want this to be a true lifestyle change for my entire family. I want to become educated about health, and I want to be able to teach my kids the benefits of being healthy. I want to be a GOOD example to my children, not one who says, "Do as I say, not as I do".

So as of today I'm 24 pounds closer to my goal...that which is 100 pounds lost, at least to begin with! Once I hit that goal I may reevaluate and decide I want more, but oh what a day that is going to be. There will be a party...a big party. Think about it. Let's just say 100 pounds is the weight of your average freshman. I will have lost an entire CHILD!!!!!! I'm excited for that day. That excitement and anticipation is going to keep me going on this journey.

24 down...76 to go