So, I have very little need for a summer wardrobe and I wear jumpers most of the year, but this lovely hot weather had me digging in the wardrobe for some short sleeved tops. I found one from last summer (Size 14) that I had bought for a last minute family holiday to Florida and I was delighted to try it on and find it loose all over.
It got me thinking about that time last year. As the holiday was such a spur of the moment trip - we went within a week of booking and got a great deal - I didn't have any time to lose any weight. I hadn't been on a foreign holiday since before my little boy was born, so I was apprehensive when I went under the bed to dig out my holiday clothes. And predictably, nothing fitted! So I had to go to a budget store and buy some shorts and floaty, light tops that would disguise my tummy a bit.
But I refused to let my weight get in the way of having a good time on holiday. So I stripped down to my cossie and played in the hotel pool with my son every day. We were near to Sea World, and I was concerned someone might try to put me back in the ocean, but it was fine and to be honest, nobody batted an eyelid at my pasty, overweight self, although people were amazed it was possible to be so pale. I had the holiday of a lifetime and I even managed to lose 2lbs as it was so hot and we were walking round the theme parks all day. It made me realise not to be so self conscious all the time and that people are too busy with their own lives to bother what I look like.
So, I came home and took steps to tackle my weight, small ones at first and then gradually lost over a stone. I went swimming and didn't care what I looked like in my swimming costume. And now, these tops that I had to buy in an emergency are getting too big. Taking steps to reduce my weight were important, but the biggest thing for me has been accepting my body for what it is and understanding that being overweight doesn't make me a bad person or a failure. Getting back up every time I fall off the wagon and being accountable to myself, by filling in my daily food diary, warts and all and most importantly, having the patience and strength to push through a long plateau and recognise when bad habits were creeping back in and gradually taking steps to reduce them. For the first time, I am just enjoying the journey and taking it one day at a time and 1lb at a time. And most importantly, I am getting there and I am happy.
5st 4lbs in 9 months and still going strong.
Found my motivation?
Friday weigh in 
tubbycat broke her ankle
Weigh in for Monday 14th October 
