It is the 100th Day of School, and to many that will mean nothing, but to a Kindergarten teacher, it is HUGE!

This year is so important because it marks the one-year anniversary of the day I decided to change my life! While at a doctor’s appointment one year ago today, I saw a number that I promised I would never see again! A whopping 305 pounds scared and horrified me. Right then and there, I decided to change my life and began eating well.

With this change, I knew there would be NO Starbucks, junk food, Diet Pepsi, cookies, or candy. Along with eating healthy, I purchased a Fitbit to help me keep focused. At first, my goal was to eat as healthy as possible and get 10 thousand steps a day. As I progressed, I started upping the ante and increasing my number of steps.

While using the Fitbit, I found out that I was highly competitive! Who knew that Fitbit had friends and challenges! I soon became the challenge junkie. I had to win the “work week hustle” and found myself doing whatever it took to win! I would walk after work and then exercise and move around to the words of Michael Jackson! Before bed, if I weren’t in the lead for the most number of steps I would walk or even jog next to my bed! I was in it for the win.

I soon started losing weight and seeing results! My new lifestyle was not a chore or even a drag! It was exciting!

I did my own weight loss plan for about 4 months. However, I stopped losing weight and got discouraged. I was eating healthy, and exercising 7 days a week. What was I doing wrong? So I went in search for a solution.

What I found was a personal trainer and additionally a gym membership. I discovered through my personal trainer that I stopped losing weight because…get this I was not eating enough. Are you kidding me? But is was true and my weight started coming off again. I am a master at food prepping.  Yes, every Sunday I make and portioned all of my food for the week. A chore on Sunday but I do not have to think or stress during the week about what to eat or how much.

At the gym, I started slowly.  I learned that the walking was good, but it was not getting me the results I wanted.  I needed to push myself further. I continued walking, but on an incline, I went to water aerobic twice a week and saw my personal trainer once a week. I worked out 6 days a week.

As I felt stronger, and my bathing suit got too big, I started adding more intensive classes. Including; kickboxing, a lifting class called Bodybump, and the class I love to hate; Butts and Gutts.  Those classes keep my week interesting and full of exercise. I continue to adjust my food caloric intake as I lose.

For the most part, it has been a breeze, I have had some frustrating days because I am all about the scale. So when it does not move, I go crazy. But I need to learn (still a work in progress) that inches are just as fabulous.

I have had cravings and some cheat days- usually a glass of wine. I have tried to stay away from sweet treats, they are my weakness, and I tend to be an all or nothing girl.

I had one minor setback recently, which slowed up the weight loss. Remember you have to eat to lose weight. Well, I was having trouble doing just that. So I went to the doctor and found out that my gastric bypass stomach and esophagus shrunk from weight loss, thus not allowing food to pass.  So a little surgical procedure, I am all good and back on track.

My goal for the year was to lose 100 pounds. Here we are at the 100th day of school, and I have lost 90 pounds. To be truly honest I am disappointed. I need to remind myself that I had a setback, but I did still lose weight and a lot of inches.

I am the smallest weight and size I have ever been, truly! maybe since my freshman year of high school. Am I done losing weight? Oh no, I have pounds to go to reach my goal. But for now, I am happy that I am getting there the right way.

My weight one year later is….90 pounds less, and I am going strong and not giving up. I have made significant improvements in my life, and I have been successful. Today I am 215 pounds, my next stop is 199 and beyond!

I have added a photo collage of my various weights over the years. Along with the photo of me last year on the 100th day (I am the square) and this year photo 90 pounds less.

Some of the different looks over the years-

Last year the 100th Day of School and My first day of new lifestyle (Feb 2016)

This year the 100th Day of School, one year later ( Feb 2017)