Tuesday, December 13, 2011

single digits baby

sunday night was monumental for me. i left the gym after running 3.3 miles, headed to my local kohls, confidently grabbed a pair of size 8 levi's jeans and dashed into the dressing room quickly before someone caught a whiff of me. as i slipped on those single-digit pants i held my breath... i put one leg in... then the second leg in... pulled them up... secured the button... zipped the fly and... VICTORY! they fit! even after i released that breath.

so i did what any normal social-networking-crazed-woman would do- i snapped a photo with my iPhone and quickly took to twitter to share my joy!


within seconds the replies to my tweet came flying in and that's when i lost it. yes, i had a breakdown in the dressing room at kohls. i apologize to the other customers who had to hear my muffled sobs. i promise they were happy tears.

i sat down out of shock.

and then i stood up just to check myself out again.

just 11 short months ago i could barely fit in my size 16 jeans. i never thought single digit pants would be on my radar. i never thought i would run but yet i completed three 5k's in just two months and now i'm starting to train for a 10k. i never thought that i would be able to inspire people through my journey to health but somehow i find people telling me that i have and i am humbled.

and every single time i've taken to this blog or to facebook or instagram or twitter to share an accomplishment or milestone i am met by an overwhelming show of support. the tears that i shed in that dressing room weren't just for how far i've come but it was also for those of you that have come with me. that have cheered for me. that have congratulated me. that have motivated me to get off my butt and go run when i didn't feel like it. you can't place a value on that. to know that there are people out there rooting for your success... people you have never and maybe never will actually "meet?" it's incredible and so much of what i have been able to accomplish would not have been possible without YOU!

this year has been hard in so many ways but i know that i'm coming out of it a stronger, more confident, more beautiful woman. there were so many days where i felt alone and abandoned and after reflecting today i am reminded of how untrue that is.

i can and will set out to finish what i started and i hope you'll stick around to see it.

much love today,

30 comments:

Noe said...

This is AWESOME Susan! I am so HAPPY for you! forgive me if it sounds cheesy but I am so PROUD of you...
and I hope I can follow your lead next year, because I am currently there..at a size 16... hiding in my house not going anywhere, not attending to my class '10 years after' reunion. I pretend everything is OK but it's not OK... I feel it..I can actually feel the pain not just in my soul but also in my pants and lately my knees... So... thank you for sharing this and showing us that it is possible... that it takes A LOT, but it is possible...

Shannon Dew said...

Girl, do you realize that is HALF the size you used to be? THAT is incredible!! You are so inspiring, not just in your weight loss but in your every day life. You deserve to be as happy as you look in those size 8s! Now rock it girl!

Jocelyn said...

That is AWESOME!!!! You and your sister are such an encouragement for me to continue working out!!! Thank you for sharing all the way with us!!!

Laura said...

Wow! You look amazing! You truly are an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your story.

~Laura

Jessica said...

WOOHOO!!!!

Jo-Anne said...

That is so awesome. Not only the amazing new size, but your fantastic new look on life. You look fantastic because of your beautiful new glow. Way to go Susan! You're gonna rock that 10k. =)

jv726 said...

I don't think I have ever commented, but I thought I would now and say how AWESOME it is that you are in a size 8!! It is so inspirational and encouraging to read yours and your sisters stories of weight loss. I am on my own journey, and reading about your success is the kick in the pants I need right now! Congrats on the single digits! :)

Charbelle said...

Congratulations!!! It's truly an awesome feeling!!

Yay for running a 10K!!!

Hailey @ Me and My Boys said...

I am SO PROUD of you. This has been so fun watching you go through this journey. You really are an inspiration (you and a few others are what inspired me to take up running... and I've always HATED running). And after everything you've been through? A happy cry in the dressing room was totally deserved. :) Congrats on those size 8's! That's incredible! You should be so proud of yourself.

Perfectly Jenn said...

So proud for you! Congratulations on single digits!

Cara Linn said...

Susan- holy cow! You look great You are one of my heroes, sweet lady.

Ashley said...

Congratulations on your victory! You have done amazing! Strut those size 8's around and flaunt them with pride, girl! :)

Unknown said...

so so so happy for you Susan! I feel like going for a run now :)

Ashley @ Gratitude and Latitude said...

Susan, I am so happy for you and so proud of you! I feel very fortunate to have you as a motivator and supporter in my life and I can't wait to continue on this journey with you :) Congrats again!

Jenn and Casey said...

Yippee!!!!!

Jenna said...

That really is such an amazing accomplishment! Congratulations, all of your hard work has definitely paid off!! :)

Ruth Witmer said...

Sue, So excited for you!! This is amazing and so are you. You inspire so many people not to give up in whatever is going on in their life! Nothing is impossible for you girl! I can't wait to see what God has for you next!
Love,
Mom

Gina said...

You are a rock star, an inspiration, a strong woman. Congrats on how far you've already come. You amaze me!

Nichole said...

Yes!!! Super awesome!! Congrats!!!

Erin said...

That is so amazing Susan!! I made a goal for myself this weekend to lose 60 pounds by this time next year. I just went back and read several of your posts about losing weight and am so inspired. It looks like I'm starting around the same weight as you did. I hope one day I can have a post proclaiming single digits! You should be SO proud of what you've accomplished!

Quinn said...

YOU GO GIRL!!! Rock out to some S Club 7 in your size 8 jeans!!!

Katie @ Loves of Life said...

Girllll I totally cried reading this. I love you! you are so awesome and have motivated me so much. Look at all the love on this post alone! you rock. xo

Christina said...

SUSAN!!! That is absolutely amazing!! I am so happy for you! You have earned it for sure, you inspire me girl!
xoxo

Lucy Marie said...

You ?? Amazing. Inspiration. Fabulous. Georgeous. Love you girlfriend!

Christina said...

Way to go! So proud of you! Keep up the good work!

Perfectly Imperfect said...

I hope you seriously know how awesome this is!!! You've done this completely healthy and on your own. You are truly an inspiration!!!

Melissa said...

I gain so much support on my weightloss blog - more so than in real life, i think - it's incredible.

LOVE this post! Love the pic! You look amazing! :) :) :)

Kishah said...

Congrats Susan!!! You look great! :)

Aly @ Analyze This said...

Susan, you have kicked 2011's booty ... For real!

I'm sorry that I'm late commenting on this post .. I swore I thought I commented on it earlier, but it appears I didn't!

What I love about you and your spirit is how supportive you are to others. You have a great attitude that definitely shines through to all that come in contact with you! You've certainly given me more motivation!! Heck, both you and your sister!!

Keep it up! 2012 is going to be another awesome year for you! I'm glad I got to "meet you" this year!

Emily said...

Hi Susan,
I found your blog via Aly's blog, and I am so inspired by just this post. I don't know what you did to kick your butt into shape, but I am wanting to follow in your footsteps. I am the girl in the size 16s now and I want to be in single digits too! If you have any tips for me, I'd love to read them. I'll be reading around your blog too. Thanks for the encouragement!