What a Whirlwind Month!

Well it appears that it's been a good six weeks or so since I last updated. I can officially say I've lost 30 POUNDS! And I feel fantastic!

September was a hard month. There were a LOT of emotions and mental obstacles that taunted me and tried to get in the way of my goals. It was hard; harder than I expected it to be. But it will soon be October, a new month, a new century (I'll be in the 100s instead of 200s) and new clothes, of course. :)

Lately I've been getting a lot of compliments, and I'm so thankful that people are noticing the outcome of my hard work. However, it's still pretty awkward. I'll have to get used to people looking at me and critiquing my every move and everything I put in my mouth, but what I want more than anything is to set a good example for other people and show them "it" can be done.

I've also been hearing "If only"s and "I really need to do that"s and "I wish I could do it"s. Well guess what, people- YOU CAN! I've confided in a couple of people that I don't really know how to respond when these comments come up. Both agreed that "you can" is the best response. It's SO doable. It's hard, it's painful, it's emotional, but it's WORTH IT. I have a tendency of trying to take responsibility for you. ("You" are the people who WANT the results but make every excuse to get out of working for them.) I can't make you do anything. All I can do is encourage you and tell you over and over and over and over and over again that you can do it, even if it means telling you a thousand times before you get your butt off the couch.

PLEASE don't get me wrong. I HAVE BEEN THERE. We all have different stories and different experiences, I know. But at the root of that we all have something in common. We want to feel good. We want to LOOK good. We want to live long and healthy lives. We want to be able to ride in the car without unbuttoning our jeans on the way home from work. (Seriously. That's a big one for me.)

I also know it's hard not having an accountability partner and feeling like you're in it "alone". So this is my vow. As long as you need my encouragement, I'll give it. As long as you need my prayers, I'll ask them. As long as you ask for advice, I'll share. But I'm starting this new month with a promise to myself that I will try not to focus on you. I'm going to focus on me. YOU focus on you. Deal? Deal. ((handshake)) In order to meet my goals and accomplish my aspirations in my new life, I HAVE to focus on me. I don't really have much of a choice anymore. Maybe when all is said and done, I'll be a trainer, and I'll kick all of your butts. ;) (Kidding.)

*sigh* Now that I got that rant out of my system, I can move on to other things! Andrew has lost so much weight, as well! He started this journey at about 215 pounds on his 5'10" frame (as of the first week of June), and as of this morning weighed in at a lean, mean, running-machine 181 pounds! That puts him 6-10 pounds from his overall goal, and I am SO proud of him. He's such an amazing person. So supportive, so encouraging, and ALWAYS holds me accountable. I may be tempted, but he knocks the ideas of cookies and pasta right out of my head with kind and motivating words, and I couldn't be more thankful for that. Way to go, babe!!

I've also decided to devote more time to myself. I'm home alone often, which I love, but I tend to spend all of that time watching trashy tv or playing on Facebook... I'm going to try to find a couple of hobbies. This time of year I love to knit, paint and draw. I also love to journal (e.g. Blogspot.) I just feel like I need more things that are mine. Things that I don't have to share with Andrew, or friends, or anyone, really. So if anyone has any ideas, please share!

Everyone have a fabulous week! I won't wait so long to update next time. Love you all and thank you for your encouragement and love!