Reflections

November 2012 *with my awesome friend, Evelyn* 

So,

I've been thinking the past few days (dangerous, I know). And I realized that it's been about a year since I decided to really take this weight loss bull by the horns and wrestle it with all my might. It's been quite an incredible year, actually....

In my first post I talked about how I was convicted about New Years resolutions - how we make these grand plans for how we're going to improve our lives for the next year, but never actually do any of those things. The next year rolls around and we haven't changed one lousy bit.

I am so thankful to say that when I hit December 31 this year... I will not look back with regret. I will not look back wishing I'd stuck to those plans. I will not be discouraged by  how little I've done and now no progress has been made.

This year has been a good year. No, I havent come as far as I wanted. No, I'm not done yet. But yes, I have made progress.

I now have two (and a quarter) rounds of Insanity under my belt where a year ago I barely exercised at all. I can honestly say that the vast majority of days this year I HAVE been faithful to workout in the morning. I HAVE been faithful to eat well (though I still can improve). And I HAVE increased my strength, stamina, health, body image, and physique.

Hey, it's a small thing... but I was excited when I was at the grocery store the other day getting a turkey for today (Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!) and I could pull a 22 lb turkey out from the bottom of the bin - out from under other 17, 18, and 19 lb turkeys - with ONE hand! Booyah. Last year, I could barely get the 18 lb-er out with *both* hands.

Yes, I'm a bit of a dork. But yes, I did stand in the grocery store and do a few bicep curls with the 22 lb turkey. Laugh if you want. It was fun. And pretty dang cool to see that kind of visible improvement.

Another part that's interesting... while I'm "shrinking" and having to get smaller clothes, there is one aspect that's challenging..... sleeves. Due to the masses of pushups required in Insanity (plus the intense dumbell routine we go through at every kickboxing class), my biceps no longer fit well in sleeves. I've had to buy larger shirts and take them in at the waist just in order for my *cough* guns to fit inside.

Nevertheless, I decided last week to do a photoshoot with my sister (yes, this year I have been comfortable to get IN FRONT of the camera. It's quite a change...). So... now we're going to delve into deep, dark history, and pull some "before" and "afters" (cuz I know you all loooove that). And really... feel honored. We're going back to a few years ago... back to the kids of pictures that most ppl would say.... NO! don't put that online! I look fat!

my 18th birthday - 2009 

senior photos 2009

"refrigerator model" at a friends' wedding in 2010

birthday photo 2010

spring formal 2010

brother's wedding 2010

Father's Day 2011

July 2011

October 2011

Thanksgiving 2011 (ONE YEAR AGO!!!) 

April 2012

May 2012

June 2012 - My 21 birthday - check out the difference from 2009 (yikes!)

July 2012

September 2012

September 2012 

September 2012

September 2012

November 2012

November 20, 2012 

November 20, 2012

November 20, 2012 *I actually have BICEPS!* 

 As I said before, still a distance to go. But um, hello! I'm so happy with how far I've come already. Can't wait to see what the next year holds!