90 Day Challenge Complete

So, I've completed the first ninety days of Operation Healthy Stacie. These past ninety days have flown by! I can't believe it's been three months since I decided, once and for all, to get fit & healthy. I have dieted and worked out on and off since middle school. And nothing has ever really worked. I've never liked being overweight - ever. It's actually brought a lot of pain and heartache to my life and has really held me back. Bit in spite of how difficult and painful it's been to be overweight, my love of food and my battle with emotional eating has always won out. Up until now that is!

For the first time in my life, I'm choosing real joy, real sadness, real emotions, real life instead of dulling the pain with food or alcohol. For the first time, I see food as fuel. For the first time I see myself as an athlete and see working out as a part of my daily routine, not a pain in the ass. I actually find working out to be fun. :) For the first time in my life, I'm focusing on me and really allowing myself the freedom to be me. And for the first time in my life, I'm making sacrifices for the future me and I'm excited for her! She's going to be fierce and strong. She's going to be healthy physically, emotionally, spiritually. She's going to be a loving wife because she loves herself well first. She's going to truly live life and view it as an adventure!

These past ninety days have been life changing - life giving! They have not been easy at all. There have been peaks and valleys along the way. I have had successes and failures. I have been rocked by grief. I've learned my body is A LOT stronger than I ever thought possible. I've learned that I can push myself beyond my limits and it's 90% mental. I've learned that I'm pretty effing amazing! And for thirty-three years I held myself back and hid behind food and fat. But not anymore!

I ninety days, I have lost THIRTY pounds and twenty-seven inches! I had two goals for these ninety days. The first goal was two pounds a week - twenty-four pounds. The stretch goal was twenty-nine pounds. And I lost thirty! I am now lighter and more fit than I have ever been in my adult life. I think the last time I was this weight, I was in sixth or seventh grade! I'm really proud of myself and what I've accomplished. And I'm really excited for the next ninety days.

Because of I'm ahead of my goal, I only need to lose 18 pounds in the next ninety days (by February 1). So, I'm going to set a goal to lose twenty pounds in the next three months. That will put me in the 210's. I only need to be 1/4 of the way to my goal, but I'm already 1/3 of the way there! I CAN do this!!!!

180 here I come!!!