I am jumping the gun by a day, but tomorrow, February 20th will mark 11 months that I have STAYED on this journey!

As someone who has struggled with weight my entire life, and NEVER stuck with any of my various weight loss attempts for more than 3 months, this is the hugest NSV a girl can ask for!

For those that know me, know I have been a member of Sparkpeople since 8/21/09... I lost 40 pounds only to gain it back, I went back and forth on this site throughout the years, but it wasn't until March 20, 2012 that I really decided to make a change.

It hasn't always been easy, I have been on horrible plateaus...

I am still pushing through the dreaded 212 plateau from Halloween ...

I have dealt with disappointment of not hitting a specific weight goal by a certain time...

I desperately wanted 199 by the start of 2013 but it wasn't in the cards, and I am still pushing to get there...

I have had days where I have eaten everything in sight...


There were days I didn't exercise...


There were days where everything went wrong...


But there were happy days too, days with 's and 's, days of good eating, tracking calories and exercising. Days with good weigh ins, compliments and encouragement from others, and days of genuinely feeling good about myself. I am so proud to be able to sit here and say (well, type) it has been 11 months, and I have not and will not give up. I am pushing towards my goals and I will get to Onederland if it kills me!

My weight chart going all the way back to 2009:


This quote sums up my journey perfectly, and thanks to a fellow spark friend for introducing me to this quote:


This 11 months felt long at times, but it truly has flown by! Is there a part of me that wishes I would have lost more weight by this point? Sure, but I will get there in due time, as long as I keeping moving forward, I will get where I want to go, and so will you! Don't give up, take each day at it comes, and we will reach our goals together!