Monday, December 28, 2009

End of month wrap-up...

*WHEW*! Where in the world did December go? Gosh, I really had every intention to keep up on my posts this month, but it just didn't happen. The good news is that I have AWESOME news to share and that's why I'm here now!

First of all, I had posted back in November that I have PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome w/Insulin Resistance and was getting blood work done to see if my change of eating and exercise would affect my numbers. Well...it has payed off in a BIG way!! No more Insulin Resistance for me!! My numbers were well within normal range which is soooo GREAT! I am really proud of myself because I changed that! Me!

Second, I survived the holidays and all the sweets, cookies, goodies and treats that come with it, although I didn't doubt that I wouldn't. ;) I didn't end up baking sugar cookies for Christmas Eve like I normally do. I was going to since my sister and sister-n-law love my cookies but turns out when I went to the grocery store, they were out of sugar cookie dough, so it all worked out fine. I didn't miss them at all.

So, the holiday came and went and I received a couple of the best Christmas prezzies I could have asked for. These were so big they weren't wrapped. ;)

1. I reached my first major goal in this journey I'm on! As I've said before, my nutritionist friend told me several months ago that I should be able to lose 80lbs by the end of December and he was right. And... I did it 11 days early! I reached that goal last Sunday, the 20th. As of my weigh-in yesterday I am officially at 83lbs lost since July 13th!! 5 months. Wow. If someone would have told me in July where I'd be today, I would have never believed them. Never.

2. And there's always icing on the cake...yesterday I officially dropped out of the 200 Club!!! I'm under 200lbs and for me, that is ridiculously exciting! I can't remember weighing myself and seeing the number 1 in front for a long, long time. What an outrageous feeling. When I stepped on the scale and saw that lovely number, I actually clapped at myself...you know, like the weird way Barney claps, lol. Didn't care though. I was sooooooo happy!! I don't ever want to go back to the 200 Club. I hope they never let me in again. ;)

So, this is how December played out for me...

I lost 10.8 lbs this month bringing me from 282 in July to 199 now! 83 total lbs thus far (24 weeks). I'm averaging a 3.46lb/week loss.

I also lost an additional 7 inches combined this month. That's a total of 34.5" gone from the start!

Hips -2"
Thigh -3"
Calf -.5"
Bust -1.5"

I could definitely feel/see the loss in my bust, thighs and hips this month which is a weird but great feeling! It's so odd to see your body changing before your very eyes.

My BMI was 31.7 at the beginning of the month and is now at 30.3. Losing just 3 more pounds will get me out of the obese category and into the overweight category! Very cool.

I am also down another size in my waist. I went from a 16 to a 14 and can even fit into a larger 12, but I'm keeping myself at a 14 right now until I can comfortably fit into a 12.

So with my first major goal accomplished, I am really looking forward to my next set of goals. I'm anxious to see what's next! With the help of my nutritionist friend and my family doctor, I am aiming to lose another 35-50 lbs before it's all said and done and I start the maintain process. I'll get it narrowed down as I continue to go on and see how my body adjusts. At this point, my goal is to get somewhere between 150-165lbs.

The emotional changes and adjustments are still difficult but I'm trying to work through them one day at a time. Would love to know if anyone reading this might know of any help books or resources dealing with emotional adjustments after losing a large amount of weight. I'd love to know about them. You can leave any information in the comment section or by using the "contact me" button in my right sidebar. Thank you.

Will also have new full-body photo up soon!

Hope everyone reading this had a beautiful holiday! Thanks to each and every one of you for being here supporting me and stopping by my little corner of the world. I couldn't do this without support and encouragement!

20 comments:

Hi my name is Marjorie said...

I remember when you first announced that you wanted to lose 80 lbs. by the end of the year and I thought that you would disappear. LOL You sure did and a beautiful new Nicole emerged. Look in that mirror girl and rejoice in the new you!!!

Janice Guazzo said...

OH Nicole! I am bawling with joy for you...you are such an inspiration. I love the "Barney clapping" that made me ~snort~ LOL!

Crafty Girl Studio said...

So happy you have a new post. I really look forward to reading about your journey....I am so proud of you.

Clap all you want girl...you deserve it!!

Jolene said...

This is so incredible!! You are working so hard, and it is clearly paying off. HUGE CONGRATS!! ♥

Carolyn Lontin said...

whooo whooo for you!! CONGRATS for making this goal & sticking with it!!

.jessica jo. said...

this is soooo awesome Nicole! I love reading your blog, its such an inspiration! a friend of mine is starting up a new challenge this year and we'd love to have you join us (check it out here: http://thecurvylife.blogspot.com/2009/12/100-mile-fitness-challenge.html)

kelly said...

Wow! Congratulations! I am EXACTLY where you started and am SO miserable. You inspire me to stop this train.

ox, Carole said...

WOWEEEEEEE! you are doing your own 'life changing' reality show! I so look forward to every new 'inspiring' episode of the ...Real Nicole! I am sooo proud of you!

Anonymous said...

okay - huge kudos to you Nicole re: PCOS and insulin issues. I am so glad you have achieved your goals.
I will be your Barney friend - the little one!
I now have to go away and convert all your milestones to metric! LOL
We are all here to support you!
And yay you on Christmas! Prezzies sound awesome!
Love
Shell

Celeste B. said...

That is amazing. I am so happy for you and look forward to seeing the rest of your transformation in the new year.

Corey W. said...

NICOLE!!!!! I am SO stinkin' proud of you!!! Congrats on so many things! I'm cheering you on and will email you when I get back home!

Denise Beverly said...

congratulations nicole on yet another milestone reached. keep moving forward in this journey, you have added time for new adventures with your life changes

Marti said...

Nicole, congratulations!!! You have set a goal and stuck to it, I"m so proud of you. Trying to lose weight my entire adult life, I know that is not an easy thing!!! You're willpower is inspirational!!! Thank you for sharing your journey with us, and keep up the good work in the New Year!!!

Debi said...

Hey Nicole... wow..im so proud of you honestly..and so encouraged. The holidays as good as they were emotionally, were trying for my weightloss goals. But now that the new year has set in...Im ready to keep going. I love reading your blog...it inspires me. And so I encourage you to write more ofen. Can't wait to see the new photo.
Happy New Year!

SAR girls said...

Congrats, Nicole! You are an inspiration to me. I was wondering, can I borrow your nutritionist friend?! ;) Wishing you continued success and health in 2010.

Hannah said...

Congratulations!!!
I just can't tell you how excited I am to read your story!!!

You ROCK girl!!!

Keep up the good work..! I hope to join you soon by getting out of the 200 club!

Sasha Farina said...

i've said it.. I'll say it again. I am so damn proud of you, Girl!

Naomi M. said...

Hi Nicole! It's Naomi from you your long lost past! Remember the days of babysitting Joel?! He's now married to a beautiful girl from church and they live in New Carlisle! A girlfriend forwarded your blog address to me and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading every word and am so happy for you! You have inspired me and my girlfriend and today you made me laugh and brought tears to my eyes at the same time. I would like to know who your nutritionist is however. I think having somebody with the expertise guide you is great. So, congratulations and Godspeed!

Cathy said...

You should be clapping for yourself....what an amazing journey! Congratulations gorgeous girl!

Lyn said...

Wow!! You really look amazing in your photos! You have done SO well. It makes me very happy to see your success. Congratulations on the NEW LIFE! Keep going :)