Tuesday, January 3, 2012

a year later

one year.

that's how long i've been on weight watchers. seriously? how is it that a whole year has passed? looking back i am amazed that i managed to stick with this program for so long. and the fact that i still enjoy being on it? total reflection of what an incredible plan weight watchers is. no, i'm not being paid or endorsed to promote weight watchers, but i would like to be! hello people! success story over here! put me on a commercial!

when i started a year ago my motivation was pretty simple- my wedding. i had 10 months to get myself in a place where i wouldn't hate the pictures for the rest of my life. and then in march that all crumbled. can i just say that i am so glad i didn't give up on my weight loss journey even while walking through one of the hardest years of my life? because i am. i had every excuse to quit. to give up. to say "to heck with it all." turns out there's a fighter in me. ok, well i already knew that, but usually the fighting is on behalf of others and not myself. it gave me motivation despite the pain i was feeling. it gave me something to be happy about. to focus on. and focus i did.

somehow i have managed to track almost every single thing i consumed in 2011. there was 1 weekend that i let myself off the hook. and then this christmas i gave myself a 12-day break. that's it people. i'm an all-or-nothing kind of gal so you can bet i was all-in with this weight watchers gig. and it paid off.


here i sit, one year later, 62lbs lighter. wearing size 8 jeans instead of 16. with a 32" waist instead of 42. with strong legs that can run 3 miles on any given day. with visible biceps! haha! and no, i don't make muscles in the mirror on a daily basis. psssshhhh. ok, ok i do. so sue me.  ;)

weight watchers has changed my life. i am stronger, i am healthier, i am happier. i have made so many new friends through this journey who have inspired me and dare i say, i think i might have even inspired a few along the way. it gives me great joy to be able to support and encourage you in your journey to health and to show that YOU CAN DO IT! it is possible! if a lazy girl like me can do it, anyone can. but you have to want it. you have to be ready for it. you have to believe that it's possible and not give up. yes, there will be hard days. there will be weeks where the scale doesn't move. it will not be easy. but most great things aren't!

look at me preaching over here. i get so passionate about this now! i think i need to channel this into some future blog posts for those of you just starting out. i know you're out there. wondering if this is your year? the year when you finally do something?

and you know what? IT IS! i'm not done yet, so i'm still right there with you. i've got 8lbs till i reach my first goal of 70lbs but i might push it for a few more to stay in the middle of my ideal weight. if you've got specific questions i can address here on my blog or if there's anything you'd like to see me post about, please leave a comment and i'll see what i can do. i want to pay it forward as best i can.

different kid, same aunt susie :)

happy 1 year weight watchers anniversary to me!

30 comments:

Cheryl said...

Wow, you look amazing! Such an inspiration.

:-)

Kishah said...

Hi Susan! You look amazing! And you ARE amazing! So proud of you and very inspired by your story! Keep it up girl! You are an inspiration!

Happy New Year and Happy WW Anniversary to you! :)

Kristen said...

Way to go Sue!!! You are an amazing, strong woman! Your hard work has been an encouragement! You look amazing :) a reflection of what I'm sure you've always been on the inside!

Ashley @ Gratitude and Latitude said...

You are incredible, girlfriend. You know you've inspired me and have been such a great motivator for me and I'm so thankful I have been able to share this journey with you. Next stop, 10K ;)

Amber @ A Little Pink in the Cornfields said...

It has been so inspiring to watch you and Katie go on this journey! What a wonderful post!

Katie @ Modern-Day Family said...

Ok I'm a little teary eyed! 62 lbs!! In a year. That is truly AMAZING! Hats off to you for sure! And I am so impressed that you have only taken 15 days all year from tracking! What determination and perserverence that shows. Definitely inspiring! Contratulations! So very happy for you and here's to those last 8 lbs! You are almost there girl!

Katie @ Loves of Life said...

I don't know why but I am sobbing like a little baby over here. The Christmas side by sides just did me in. You are so beautiful. I've always thought you were beautiful. But I'm just so overwhelmed by how far you came, and how you fought for yourself (and me) and helped spur me on to reach my goals, too.

I love you so muchhhhhhhhhhh!!!!

Unknown said...

I am just amazed!

susan: you may not realize this, but you are an inspiration to those who are on ww! I wrote a post today about how I was going to quit in the fall but got back on program and love it!

thank you for showing us all the pictures! and telling us we can do it :)

I KNOW you can get to your goal! almost there.

Erin said...

So, I may or may not be tearing up over here. You look amazing, it's crazy the difference a year can make. If anyone had excuses to give up it was you, but you didn't. That, for me, is just THAT much more inspiring. And yes, you have inspired at least one person because I know as I begin my journey this year I'll be back here more than a few times to remind myself that it can be done.

Happy one year anniversary to you skinny lady!!!!

Shannon Dew said...

Look at you! So proud of you! Your face looks like I'm looking at someone else, not you. You look amazing! Way to go! I think the best thing you said is that you had every excuse to give up but you didn't, that is profound. So many people would say "well...but...this happened and so...next year" and you didn't! You used that to push yourself even more. That is amazing and inspiring.

ffprncez said...

Congratulations to you!!! I am over hear from your sister's blog...she was gushing about your success so I thought I'd stop by and share in your success! You and your sister are both very inspirational!!

Noe said...

You are an amazing woman, you need to know it! You know I'm one of those who daily wonder if I would ever change the way I look, or even more, the way I feel about my self. I am right there where you were a year ago, wearing a size 16 and feeling sorry for myself everysingle day.
Yesterday after your tweet I also read this: "The day we decide to act it is our lucky day". So I have decided to start yesterday and I am happy with my decision... I KNOW this WILL be my year...and I thank you for such a HUMBLE and Inspiring story. you are my hero... and I am utterly happy for you!
p.s: sorry for the novel long comment. I got a lil too excited. :)

Quinn said...

What an amazing post Susan...your determination is inspiring. You look so good, so happy, and so healthy. And the best part is that you lost the weight for YOU. Keep on going girlfriend..and I for sure think you should be a spokeswoman! Jennifer Hudson who?

Lindsey said...

First off- congrats Susan!!! What an amazing goal you've achieved! Your story is so inspirational! You could definitely be the next spokesperson for WW! It's so exciting to see that all the hard work you put in paid off! You look amazing!! Happy new year!

Dana said...

AMAZING!! You do inspire ppl, ME!!!! I get on my elliptical b/c I hear you and Kate telling me GO GIRL GET ON THAT THING!!! And I see how hard you both have worked this year and am so proud of you both!! Love YOU!!!!

Oh yeah, I do have a question when you first started WW did you work out as well? Or did that come later?

Jami said...

AMAZING Susan! You should be so proud! The fact that you picked yourself back up and kept on going depsite everything you went through is also an inspiration to me. I'm sitting here crying hahaha but that's not too surprising. You inspire me!

Way to go girl!!!

Becca said...

You look incredible! Congrats!

Anonymous said...

Oh Susan, YOU are my inspiration for ME in this 2012 year!!! (No pressure, no pressure.) :P No, but in all seriousness, you are truly amazing! Huge congrats to you on your weight-loss anniversary.

Sadly, I tried and failed last year on WW. I came to accept it and realized that it just was not my year, my time, my dedication at the moment. Even though I SAID I wanted to change (my body, my eating, my overall health) I did nothing. I took no action. And yes, I'd feel down for a couple of days but get over it and just go on w/ my unhealthy lifestyle. I always had an excuse: My Husband won't diet w/ me, NONE of my friends live close to me, there is not gym near by, the babies won't let me exercise. You name it, I said it! Ridiculous, right? I need to change, and THIS YEAR IS IT!!!

I am 26 year old, not getting any younger or thinner. I'm a size 16-18 in jeans and weigh 238lbs. 0_0 Yes, EEK! And? I am writing it out for whomever to see because this will NOT be me at the end of this year. Heck this will not be me in a couple of months. This, I am sure. I am taking back my life. I am going to become a healthier Momma/Wife, person, ME! There really is nothing holding me back this year (not pregnant, my babies are not infants anymore), so I CAN do this! :D

I AM ready to be a better Ashlee: mind, body, and soul. :) There are so many things that I want to change in my life, all for the better, the weight-loss is just ONE thing. I just want to thank you so much for sharing your story and being a "real-life" person showing that it CAN be done. Believe me, I'll probably go to you for advice and just STICKING w/ it...b/c it's going to be hard, but I can do it. I have to do it.

Anyway, I have rambled...but that is my story in a nutshell. (kinda) So here's to a new year, a better life. :)

Lots of love always,
-Ash xx

Aly @ Analyze This said...

Susan, my friend, you look AWESOME!! Your journey has given me so much motivation! Your humble attitude and inspiration are what have made me jump on this "getting healthier" bandwagon! When I look at photos of myself from the last year, I think "omg, how did I let myself get there? I've never looked like this" ... and then I realize. I appreciate your vulnerability at showing us all your transformation! You rocked 2011, friend!!

Hailey @ Me and My Boys said...

Oh my goodness, you were beautiful before, but holy cow, you rocked this whole WW thing and now you're a hottie! I'm so so SO impressed. You have every reason to be proud, and honestly, you and Katie are the reason I hopped on the treadmill that day before Thanksgiving. I figured if 2 regular girls like me could do it, then so could I. So I want to thank you for that. I've found a new love in running, and I owe it to you.

Gina said...

The Christmas comparison photos made me gasp. You are SUCH an inspiration. I have completely fallen off that fitness train that I was on and although I actually need to GAIN weight, I really need to gain my muscle tone back. If you can lose all!that!weight!, I can start the climb again. I told B last night that I felt like I was staring up a big mountain but I'm going to keep thinking of you as I start over on this journey.

Hopefully in a few months, I'll be flexing in the mirror right along with you, sister.

Christina said...

Absolutely amazing, I'm so proud of you!!
You have make me think that I too can do it..
Thank you!! And congrats!
xo

Running 365 said...

You look so great! I know it must be satisfying to look back over such a successful year- it's inspiring!

Amanda @ Our Oklahoma Nest said...

So, so awesome! You look so great! What a wonderful accomplishment! I know you've inspired me throughout my weight loss! Happy 2012!

Melissa said...

You are AWESOME! Seriously! And i am inspired by you, again! Love the before & after pics. WOW! WAY TO GO! Especially while walking through such a difficult time. high five!

Mrs. S said...

Girl you have it going on!! So inspiring!!

Erica said...

So amazing! Congrats on reaching your one year mark, and so many kudos to you for sticking it out even when things got crappy. I think that says a lot about how your lifestyle has changed, and that it's not just a fad or diet.

Also, for whatever it's worth, I think it's neat how genuinely happy you look even when you weighed almost 70 lbs more than you do now. You just look and seem like a happy and positive person in general, now just a skinnier happy, beautiful person!

Ashley said...

You look FANATASTIC! Keep it up I know you can reach your goal weight! Only 8 more pounds! You really should be on a commercial you and your sister. Y'all both look awesome! I

Thanks for the advice on my blog!! I got my hubs to measure me last night!!

Happiness Is... said...

I just found your blog and had to say you look AMAZING! Wow! I am so impressed and inspired. You look really happy in all of your pictures, but you look radiant and glow now - way to go! Hope you have a wonderful 2012!

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