Breakfast With Tiffany...

One down...Two to go!

Good evening everyone!  As you can see by my entry title, I reached my first milestone.  At the end of my 20th week into my new lifestyle, I have lost 63.4 pounds.  That's an average of 3.17 pounds a week.  Considering I was only hoping to lose about 1.2/week, that's pretty substantial...and a full 32 weeks ahead of schedule!

And believe me, I did have to prove that I reached my first goal.  My sister did witness the weigh in and happily handed over my prize.  It was such a pretty box that I didn't want to open it.  I just gazed at it this morning, happily smiling, as I ate my breakfast.  I didn't even take today off to celebrate.  I did a 4 mile interval walk/jog.  I'm getting my body used to running on asphalt.  It's quite a difference from the treadmill.

I feel a great sense of accomplishment.  I'm glad the first hurdle has been jumped.  It wasn't easy.  There were many days (this past Friday for example) that I didn't want to exercise.  Days where I would have loved to eat a whole bag of potato chips or eat a whole bag of candy.  Days where I dreaded weighing and measuring my portions.  But, it's worthwhile in the end.  Exercise has become a habit for me...part of my daily routine.  I miss it if I don't do it.  I can count on one hand how many days I haven't exercised since I started on 1/28/2012.  I'd say it's ingrained in me now.  I make time to workout.  I truly fit my life around my workout.  It will take precedence because it is so important to me.

So, to commemorate reaching Milestone #1, let's recap all the cool things that I've recently discovered:

• I've lost 4 sizes - from 28 to a 24.
• I rediscovered my old "skinny" wardrobe and can wear items in it already.
• I found out that I do have hip bones, collar bones, and shoulder blades.
• I've fallen back in love with motorcycling, and I look damn good on that bike!
• My skinny belt is now too big.
• I can wear XL shirts!
• My ankles are not swelling as much as they used to.
• My doctor told me to stop taking one of my diabetes meds!!!! The conversation went as follows:

Doctor: You should not take this medication on days you are exercising since your blood sugar is too low. 
Me: Well, I exercise everyday.
Doctor: (smiling) Well, then I'd say not to take it.

• I'm can bend over, touch my toes, and tie my shoes.
• I can see the veins in my hands.
• My toe nails are much stronger and I can make them pretty again - I love pedi's! (For those you that don't know, diabetes reeks havoc on your feet.  I sure sign that your feet health is deteriorating is brittle nails.  Many people who do not control their blood sugar eventually have to have legs and feet amputated.)

I'm sure there are others, but this list is good enough.  I'm just glad that I can share these wonderful discoveries with you.  And, there is more to come.  This is just the first milestone, and I have two more to go, and I'm sure I haven't even been tested yet.  The next milestone will take longer and I'll run into roadblocks (plateau...plateau...plateau), but I promise to keep calm, and keep moving.  Thank you all for your support and well wishes.  I appreciate them more than you can ever know.  London....I'm 33.3333% on my way!  

Union Jack, you better watch your back!  I'm on my way!  Look out U.K.

P.S. - Just to let you know, my trip to Tiffany's in Pittsburg is planned for my birthday (8/27).  I will be picking out a bracelet for my charms :)

NEW SET OF PICS ARE UP ON THE WEIGHT LOSS PICTURE PAGE!!