Celebrating 1/2 the person I once was but living my life to the fullest!!!!! Right now, I am 147 lbs and I am smiling and shining on the inside and outside!!!
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6/22/12
Hello ONEderland!! 199.9 lbs!!! Super proud of myself!!

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Lost But Found - A 6 Month Celebration !~!~!~!

I think the connotations associated with the concept of 'lost and found' perfectly ...

Celebrating 1/2 the person I once was but living my life to the fullest!!!!! Right now, I am 147 lbs and I am smiling and shining on the inside and outside!!!
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6/22/12
Hello ONEderland!! 199.9 lbs!!! Super proud of myself!!

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Lost But Found - A 6 Month Celebration !~!~!~!

I think the connotations associated with the concept of 'lost and found' perfectly describes my 6 month journey of self-discovery. My recent (ongoing) life journey - a case of lost and found.

Five or six years ago marked a time when several changes occurred in my life and thus, started my process of getting lost. I found myself ”„letting myself go”¦ from the stress of a move and living in an unfamiliar environment. I became negative. I isolated myself and began to indulge too much in comfort foods. I took the back seat approach to life - always promising myself that tomorrow was a fresh start. It's sad that all those tomorrows added up to nearly five years of self-neglect, self-sabotage, and basically just existing. I was on auto-pilot! I lost my inner drive! I lost my determination! I lost myself!!

5 years of self-denial and neglect added up to 145 lbs being packed onto my once 150 lb body. 5 years of just existing and the only thing I had to show for it was a weight gain of 145 lbs - yes, six months ago, I weighed 295 lbs!!!

On September 19, 2011, the journey of finding myself commenced. I wanted to find that beautiful person who I knew existed within me and wanted to let her live again. To do this, I needed to make the commitment to shave threw the layers of my outer-self and expose the confident, positive, happy, and beautiful person that was dying to come out and shine again. That person was suffocating but was still alive inside. I knew that with lots of effort on my part, with a plan, with the dedication and determination, and with the end of the road as my goal, I would be found - I would find myself again!!

I took a take-charge attitude towards my life. I started exercising daily, taking baby steps by working out 10 minutes at a time. I started eating healthy - limiting my calorie intake to the recommended daily requirement. I started to eliminate unhealthy foods from my diet - I said good-bye to diet coke, chips, chocolate, fried chicken, hamburgers, etc. and replaced them with green veggies and a variety of other healthy options. I found the respect I had for my body so many years before. I still allow myself one treat a week - a special meal or a treat - but exercise self-control to ensure I don't over-indulge.

Fast track 6 months later and I have all the confidence in the world now. I found my love for life again and live each and every day to the fullest. I found that approaching every situation with a positive attitude and self-confidence equips you with the ability to accomplish anything. I found my 'JUST DO IT' mantra again deep within and it's funny - it was always there - it was just lost within the mix of self-doubt. I found my happy go lucky attitude again in that I don't take other opinions and actions too seriously. I now consider myself in tune with myself - I know me, I love me. I found my inner beauty and I channel it to the outside world.

I find it ironic I found myself half way around the world in an unfamiliar territory. It is also ironic that I lost over 60 lbs and found myself while loosing the weight. Little did I know that the power of self-acceptance and self-forgiveness would enable me to be the best person I could be. I have become a confident individual again and now feel good about myself again. Now, I embrace life, I make lots of great memories now, I am focused. I have reach my ultimate self. I lost myself but I have found myself.

Over the past six months, I have developed a positive aura. People sense my confidence and positive self-concept. No one can knock me down. I am at my prime!! I feel beautiful on the outside and the inside. I smile on the inside and people see me smile on the outside.
I could go on and on but the main message of this entry is....

I am found!!

And in the process, I have found some amazing spark friends, some amazing sparkgroups, and Sparkpeople - an awesome website with all the tools needed for me to remain found!!! And I have found a special spark with my husband - we exercise together, plan meals together, and share so many special moments together!!!
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Day 1...The Journey Begins!!
Today is the day!! Mark it on your calendars!! Today is the day I prepare to take control of my life. Today is the day I toast away my bad habits & pinky swear at midnight that I will do everything in my power to be the person I want to be. I will begin to mold and shape the life I want to lead & watch it take form. The time to take the right path is now. I will follow the right path this time. I will cross the finish line! I will claim the prize: ultimate happiness & liberation! I will set free my bad habits, unhealthy lifestyle, & my negative thoughts and emotions. The time of self-confidence, happiness, fulfillment, determination, and ultimate realization has come. It has come knocking on my door & it is time for me to embark on this journey. No longer will I feel powerless and defected. From this moment on, I will eat, breathe, and live empowerment & accomplishment.

According to wiki.com, the word TENACITY means to stick with something even when the going gets tough. Never give up. Never surrender! This word sums up the journey I am about the start & the 918 part will serve as a constant remindar of my beginning date!!

Let the journey begin!!!

Read More About TENACITY918 (Updated March 19)

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