Does anyone want to celebrate with me today?
Last summer, I was living life and having a great time…
feeling good but not paying much attention to how tight my clothes had become! (this photo was taken last July, with my precious granddaughter!)
It was VERY hard to decide to change my eating habits when I felt good and had plenty of energy and was exercising regularly….but I made a hard choice!
First I weighed! OH MY….and then went to the Mayo Clinic site to check my stats. A link to the BMI calculator is HERE !
Well….time to make some changes! So on August 4th…last year…I woke up and made myself a plan!
I did a modified Atkins Low Carb plan and kept a journal of everything I ate EVERY day and I stuck to certain healthy foods. I went to the Atkins website HERE and printed some of their info.
I ate lean meats, lots of fresh veggies, some dairy and some fruit. I never skimped on meals or snacks and NEVER went hungry!
The things I cut out were mostly carbs and sugar. At first I didn’t eat any bread, potatoes or rice and absolutely NO sugar! ( I skipped my glass of wine at dinner for awhile, too!) Then I started working the whole grains back into my diet but not the sugar. This fit my lifestyle best because I have trouble with sugar anyway. My blood sugar stays even when I avoid processed sugar.
I know it’s not easy and I substitute sugar free products in moderation. I didn’t buy any special diet aids or meals.
I exercised in moderation…walking for a half hour most days.
AND….it was worth it! My goal was to lose 22 pounds. That’s what I needed to be well within the healthy weight range….and to fit into most of my clothes!
Well! TA DA!!!
I lost 26 pounds and as of today I still weigh 26 pounds less than one year ago! And no…I can’t wear all of my clothes now! I took some of them to a consignment shop and some to Goodwill! And I got to buy some new clothes!
And what else did I get for my efforts? I wrote to Della and she made me some of her famous Del’s Shells jewelry!
She sent me the Calico shell pendant and earrings that I REALLY wanted and a surprise “jewel box shell” pendant that I wasn’t expecting! And then…of all things…she told me it was all a GIFT!
So here I am wearing my precious Calico shells, necklace and earrings! Thanks Della for being such a wonderful friend and giving me such a beautiful gift of love!
Peek inside to see the garnet heart…my birthstone! ♥
I’m feeling great! I have lots of energy and I’m happy! And when you accomplish your goals, rewards along the way make it even better! (maybe I should go shopping for some SHOES now! lol)
I really don’t need any braggin’! heehee! I just wanted to share my good news!
And while we are celebrating…TODAY is Della’s birthday!!! Hop over to Del’s Shells to wish her HAPPY BIRTHDAY! And go to her ETSY store HERE to see more of her fabulous jewelry!
♥ Have a wonderful birthday my friend! ♥
Do you have any good news to share with me today?
45 comments:
Congrats Diane you look great i love your new jewelry
I have gained about 10 pounds this summer just sitting because of the heat!! I think I need to change some things too, my clothes are getting uncomfortable thank you for the inspiration
Brenda
This is such great news! You look fantastic. Maybe August 4th is MY day to start journaling what I eat, too. Congratulations on reaching your goals!
That is awesome, way to go! I just had Baby #2 at 32 years old and I can't believe how much weight I've packed on. With my first baby I was 19 so it disappeared as soon as she was born. That hasn't been the case with this one. I really need to get myself in better shape and take better care of myself. To be honest, I'm just too lazy!!! Be proud and reward yourself LOTS. You deserve it.
You look WONDERFUL. Congratulations on your accomplishments. Yes, you have "braggin' rights". (o:
The shell jewelry is beautiful.
Have a wonderful day.
Hugs
I am really happy for you! You look wonderful and I bet you feel like dancing. You have accomplished what I have been wanting to do for over a year now.
Thanks for inspiring me to get up and get going.
Lovely jewelry and you so deserve such beauty after your awesome year!
Love
Maggie
Good for you !!! Adkins diet is a bit hard to start, but it works and works well. But for people on meds. they need to contact their dr. You can be proud . Smiles , Susie
You should brag about that!! Congratulations on making a plan and sticking with it! Thanks for the links to the websites, too. I have had a struggle this summer especially and needed this little inspiration. :) Have a great day!
P.S. The shell jewelry is lovely on you!
wow so wonderful,, great news!!!!You look great,, and those beautiful shells,,so beautiful,,very pretty you are,,
Congrats on your lifestyle change my dear friend!
Your jewelry is beautiful on you! You look terrific, too!
Thank you soooo much for my special gift from you, too!
Much love!!!
Congratulations on the weight loss! You look great and I know you must feel even better! I should take a cue from you and lose a few myself!!! Keep up the good work!
You are so beautiful! I've told you before I admire the way you live your life, you are always seeing and doing new things. You are inspiration to so many!
Congratulations on your diet success. I am going to check out these sites. You look wonderful. Your shell jewelry is lovely. xo,
You look fabulous! I need to get with it and lose some weight too. I've talked about it for months and just need to get with it!
Hugs,
Cathie
That's a fabulous story, Diane...congratulations! You do look awesome! I need to do that myself, and you are right....it's hard. I know once I get started I'd be fine, its just getting started! Keep up your healthy lifestyle!
XOXO,
Cyndi
Oh name mate, this post came so timely for me. I have been experiencing unhealthy weight gain and I have been planning to shed them off. Problem is I don't have the will to do it. I hope I could follow your story too. I'm hoping to lose the 10 lbs I have gained.
Although I don't know you personally, but as a blogger friend, it doesn't diminish my enthusiasm by saying this at all. I am so very proud of you.
You are a inspiration, and I am thrilled for you.
What a perfectly healthy way to do this, over time, and clearly committed to eating healthy. Way to go!!
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
So happy for you! You look fantastic, and it must be great to wear those cute fitting clothes too!
Congrats to you, you look beautiful! I am so happy that you found a plan that works for you and you stuck to it. :) I so need to have some self control. :)
I love the jewelry, what a perfect way to reward yourself. :)
xo
Hi Diane,
You are totally adorable!! And you did a GREAT job!! and I know it's not easy--This is FANTASTIC!!! and I love your necklace and I will go say Happy Birthday to Della.
Wouldn't it be great if we could just walk inside of some magic machine that would take the weight off? I wish they would invent it! lol
I am so PROUD of you! But, I have to say that you looked so thin even before!!! and it's those pounds that are right near goal that are totally the hardest--and YOU did it!!! Woo hoo!!!
XO
Cindy
Sounds as if you did it just the right way! You look fabulous!
Thats great Diane!im glad I didnt scroll down and see a skinny little pretzel,lol.Thats what most do loose it all and think there body is doing good now.SO NOT TRUE.
One thing I noticed you gave up bread, pasta.You dont have to you can eat Wheat pasta and bread or whole grain.But Im not complaining you did a great job.Congrats!
Bragging rights are definitely in order. You look FABULOUS. Congratulations on your accomplishments!!
..you lok very nice!Well done!!
Congratulations...you look beautiful as always...pray with me as I am trying to do basically as you describe as far as what I eat...but,I have so much more weight to lose...it has always been a battle for me but,now it means I lose weight so I can have knee replacements done or I will more than likely be in a wheelchair in the next few years...blessings dear Diane...
YEA!!!!!
You look great!!! and all without diet aids~~~You did it the right way! I am on the same quest hopefully I'll be bragging too!
Blessings, Janne
Awesome Diana!! You achieved your goal and look great -congratulations!!! It would be a challenge for me to give up "my" ice cream, haha. But other than that I'm all about veggis -love them!
Wow! Great job, Diane!
I need to lose about the same amount...you are inspiring me.
Off to check out those websites!
The garnet heart in the shell is so wonderful!!!
Congrats on your weight loss!! Awesome job!!
My hubby and I are doing Atkins...he has lost 22 lbs, but I've only lost 5. Not sure why it is not working as well for me though.
Love the shell pendant with your birthstone!! So pretty!!
Congrats to you! I'm glad you found a plan that worked for you.
Congratulations! That is wonderful! You're looking great girl and love the jewlery!
Congrats!! That is a huge accomplishment and you are to be applauded :)
Absolutely LOVE the shell necklace with the garnet heart!!
YAY!!! Congratulations Diane, what an accomplishment! You look fabulous! You went about it the correct way, instead of dieting, you made a lifestyle change. Love your new jewelry.
Hugs,
Tracy
Diane...your post is so inspiring and gives me hope I can achieve my goal to lose weight too. love the shells !
KAT
Whoo hooo! You're looking great, Diane! Congrats on keeping the weight off, too.
I've been losing weight, too, due to the gallbladder. I think I've lost 10 lbs in the last 3 weeks. Nothing like pain as a great motivator - lol!
I just tagged you with a blog award. Hope you don't mind:
http://screamingsardine.net/2011/08/a-blog-award/
Cheers,
Tracy
Fantastic! I too am on a weight loss program. I joined WW - hope it works. I lost 5 lbs since two weeks ago. You've just inspired me even more. Thanks friend.
PatC
Conngratulations Diane! You are an inspiration! I for one know how hard it is to lose weight and them keep it off. I am trying very hard to lose weight for my daughter's wedding next spring. It has been slow going so far. I eat healthy but I think I need to exercise more to boast my metabolism. Wish me luck!
You go girl! Congrats! I'm also so happy for you and Della for sharing such a beautiful friendship. Girlfriends rock!
You got great points there, that's why I always check your site, it seems that you are an expert in this field. keep up the fantastic work, My friend recommends your blog.
My blog:
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Wow! You inspire me...
Congratulations! You look fantastic! I need to lose 26 pounds too! OK.... more like 30-35. Your plan sounds interesting. I just talked to someone yesterday who lost 40 pounds on the 17 day diet. Have you heard of that one? I need to look it up.
Congratulations! Wish I could say the same, but here writes a yo yo!
This post is a great inspiration for me... i've noticed a gradually developing and annoying roll of fat around my middle... dismaying since i've always been slender! but the 50's just do that to you... also feeling less energy... i'm going right over and check the Mayo site, its probably just the facts I need!
YOU LOOK GREAT MY NEW FRIEND, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK :) GIO
That is a major accomplishment. Good for you. And you look fantastic!!
Hi Diane,
You look fabulous. 26 pounds is a great accomplishment and you should be very proud of the new smaller you.
Love your new shell jewels and how fun to get new clothes too.
Eating healthy is a huge benefit and pays off long term.
Congrats to you gorgeous!!
Hugs, Celestina Marie
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