I decided to document my weight loss journey and have finally finished the First Fifty album. Took me a while to get it finished, but I finally completed it a couple of weeks ago. I measure my success in many different ways and not just by the scale number. I have to! There are so many times that I get very frustrated because the scale is just not moving. So by measuring my success in other ways, it helps to keep me motivated.
I measure my success by the way I feel every day and by the way my body moves more freely and lighter. I measure my success by all of the new activity I’ve added into my life which include biking, snow-shoeing, walking, yoga (soon I hope), and even zumba! I measure my success by the way my clothes fit and yes even by all the compliments I get from people in my life who notice how successful I’ve been. I do also measure my success by the scale but it is not my only tool. I know I need to use all of these tools in my journey because the scale isn’t always the kindest on a week to week basis.
Here’s my album. I’ve added inspirational quotes and the like to the album just to give me something to look back on when I need a little motivation to get me to my goal.
I was having a difficult time with my scanner last week, so I had to photograph the pages instead. A peek at the pages. Just click on any photo if you want to see it pull up in its own window to read the print.
Opening page - A face shot of me back in April of 2010
Left side – photos of me in June of 2010 along with some inspirational words. “Be Happy – It’s one way of being wise.” and “Most dreams unfold one step at a time. Take that first step.”
Right side – “Tools for Success”. Photos of some of my “tools” – stocked fruit bowl, my Flatout bread, a food scale, and of course my WW Smoothie mix and yogurts.
Left side – 58 days – that’s how many days to that point that I had packed a healthy lunch for work. I never had packed lunches before then, but packing my own not only let me shed 17 pounds in 3 months, but saved me tons of money too! This photo is dated back in July 2010. As I write today, I continue to bring a healthy lunch every day! That’s quite a streak for me!
Right side – my 25 pound loss page! Love it!!! Simple – photo of my 25 pound charm and journaled the dates.
Left side – My Happiness – yummy, healthy food!
Right side – an inspirational quote and a plaque I bought for myself.
Left side – a page about my bookshelf that contained a LOT of diet books and about how most of them don’t work. Only sensible eating and moving more will work.
Right side – Just a quick photo of me at my 5 month mark….looking thinner…..smaller clothes!
Left side – just a reminder to myself that I can succeed in this journey! Loved the way I looked in the mirror that particular morning and thought I’d capture the moment and what was going through my head – ‘Oh yes I can!’
Right side – snapshots of a pair of my favorite pants. Finally fit back into them after many years, but only to wear them once or twice and have to donate them to Goodwill because they now are too big!
Left side – “celebrate little successes” – cooking healthier, new clothes, crossing my legs, and in control!
Right side – another inspirational quote
Left side – now up to 134 days of bringing a healthy packed lunch to work (10/22/2010).
Right side – These jammies haven’t fit since the day I received them as a gift. I was so caught off guard this particular morning when I walked past the mirror and realized how much thinner I looked. I remember saying to myself – “seriously?” – hence the page title!
Left side – quick photo to document that I am getting closer to my goals every day!
Right side – another inspirational quote!
Whole page spread – My First 5k! – Thanksgiving 2010
Whole page spread – “Enjoying the Journey” – snapshots of me from 6/2010 through today. Love this spread – really shows how far I’ve come! Not only in weight, but in other areas as well. I was NEVER an exercise person, but wanted to document on this page that I now enjoy finding new ways to move my body and exercise. I tried and loved snow-shoeing last winter, and currently am loving my new bike, and have even taken up Zumba! Loving it all!
50 pounds! 6/7/2011 YEAH ME!!!
Photo with Rosemary, the leader at the meetings I attend. She is awesome! She is so knowledgeable about the program and always there to offer support and guidance.
I hope you enjoyed looking at my album! I am so psyched for the rest of my journey. I have another 38 or so pounds to lose before I hit my goal and lifetime. I cannot wait to hit lifetime! It will be the first time ever in my adult life that I have been even close to goal weight. I have not been at the weight I currently am at for at least 26 years, if not longer and I am loving every minute of it. It’s been a long journey so far, but so worth it! Thank you Weight Watchers!
