Biggest Loser Finale

Thanks to all of you that have supported me through this three month process. Sometimes, because I see myself in the mirror daily and live in this body, I don’t really realize that I have changed much physically, but putting before and after photos together then taking my measurements has helped me see that, yes, I’ve changed!

Jan 17, 2012

Apr 17, 2012

I’m happy to say that the end of the contest arrived last night and I had some pretty darn good results. In three months I lost 36 pounds, went from “obese” to “overweight” according to the charts, I had two cases of the sniffles that lasted about 2-3 days; I exercised consistently and over my goal numbers each week; I changed my eating habits drastically; I went down three clothing sizes and no longer shop in the Plus or Women's departments; I have increased energy and desire to spend time doing physical activity; I recently rode a bike for the first time in 15 years and am loving taking long bike rides with Wyatt; I went shopping in my closet and found some cute things that will tide me over until I am at my goal and can do a true shopping spree; I lost many inches of fat and gained some muscle. Here's some of the numbers since Jan:  Chest: lost 3 inches; Waist: lost 5 inches; Hip: lost 4 inches; Thigh: lost 2.5 inches; Calf: lost 2 inches; Upper Arm: lost 1.5 inches;

I started out the contest wanting to finish "on the sheet" which means the top 25, but I quickly realized I had a chance at the top ten and just made it! Woo-Hoo! (As did 3 other team J.C. members!) And over 15% of my body-weight in three months is a great number.

With all those great results, I know I am not "done". Here are some things I am still working on:

Rehabbing my knees and hip due to years of couch potato-ing (pain is such a vicious cycle—I sit because it hurts, it hurts because I sit…); increasing my endurance so that I am able to walk, and then run without pain, decreasing my immuno-suppressant drugs and eventually being drug-free, continuing personal training for my knees, hips and overall strength training, continuing to eat healthy for life with a few free meals and days thrown in, focusing on healthy family eating and making sure I am not passing poor habits on to Wyatt.



Jan 17, 2012

Apr 17, 2012

Since my highest weight I have lost one Wyatt…75 pounds. It is hard to believe I was that heavy, but I have the jeans to prove it! I’d like to try to lose about 25-30 more pounds, move the “average” part of the BMI chart, and stay at/around that weight for life.

Some of the best ways I’ve changed are not physical. I had a friend comment recently that I am more confident and carrying myself differently. I spent a lot of years trying to hide inside so that I wasn’t noticed, I stopped doing many things I loved. I knew that my true self was inside and if I found a way to zip my fat body away and emerge, I would be my true self. Each link of that zipper is a pound of sweat and tears, a food craving denied, a challenge met. I am almost ready to shed that fat suit entirely.

Watch out, world, here I am!

Keep checking back for periodic updates about my health and wellness and, as always, news about the Plank family.