I have lost 57 pounds and 51.75 inches!

It was Christmas Day of 2007 and as I opened a present from my husband, the worst feeling of dread came over me. He had given me a beautiful, lush pink bathrobe. The size was XL and I knew it wouldn’t fit and sure enough, it was too tight everywhere. I realized at that point how sick and tired I had become of being overweight. Thus began my journey.

On December 27, 2007, I logged onto my computer and joined CurvesComplete.com. I weighed 217 pounds that day. I knew that the program was a well balanced diet and I knew in my heart that it was the key to long-term satisfaction.

As I began to move around the Curves Complete website I found a section for blogging which I had never done before. I hate keeping a food diary and journaling free hand but I found that the blog was a great tool for expressing my joys as well as my frustrations. I also enjoyed reading the blogs of other women on the same journey. When I found myself in a place where binge eating was about to occur, I would start blogging about my feelings surrounding the situation and by the time I had finished typing, the urge to eat was gone.

I also began to address the negative thoughts I had about myself and realized how powerful those negative thoughts had become. This was a place that I could learn to be kind to myself and become at ease with the body type that I have been given. I have finally accepted that I wasn’t meant to be a “skinny-mini” and its ok.

There were many weeks that I lost only one pound and I felt like giving up. There was a time where I wasn’t losing inches for some reason and again felt like quitting. Support from complete strangers kept me going. I was also able to give support to other women that were struggling by sending them words of encouragement. The feeling I get from helping someone else is indescribable and it helps me to grow as a person.

Since that life-altering day of December 27, 2007, I have lost 57 pounds and 51.75 inches.  It really is not that hard – everyone that needs to lose weight should give this a try. It is not so much a diet but a healthy way of eating that will sustain a long and happy life. I am finally happy with my body and have found a place of inner peace.