The moment I stepped on the scale and finally saw that I’ve lost 100 lbs was more emotional that I expected. This has been a long journey with many challenges and frustrations. But there have also been some great gains in the journey.

In losing 100 lbs, I’ve gained:

  1. Ankles. Not Cankles.
  2. Being able to finally fit into my Mumford & Sons t-shirt that I bought in 2013 (it was the largest size they had and I wanted a souvenir) 
  3. A collar bone
  4. Being an active participant in family activities
  5. New clothes (my poor bank account)
  6. Fitting into old clothes
  7. Fitting into my sister’s old clothes
  8. More flexibility (so *that* is what the yoga pose should look like)
  9. Being able to say I’m no longer pre-diabetic
  10. Being able to say I’m no longer obese
  11. Weighing less than my husband for the first time ever
  12. More confidence
  13. Wrist bones
  14. Being able to shave my legs without being a contortionist
  15. Freedom from worrying about things like seat belt extenders
  16. And if I will fit in amusement park rides
  17. Freedom from worrying about being over the weight limit on things like hammocks
  18. Being able to keep up with my niece and nephew (mostly - the little buggers are fast)
  19. Being able to climb the stairs without being out of breath
  20. Race medals. 17 in 2017 is my new goal.
  21. Being able to make new goals after crushing old ones
  22. Being able to find tall boots that fit more easily
  23. Being able to fit into boots that were too small last year
  24. Having more workout clothes than anything else (and yet I still wear the same rotation)
  25. Being able to donate clothes that are too big
  26. Bed space! There’s so much more room in bed
  27. A concave tummy (when I lay flat and just the ‘right’ way)
  28. Being able to get dressed without being out of breath
  29. Freedom to live an active life
  30. Being a size small for my Fitbit
  31. New glasses (my old ones were falling off my face)
  32. A wedding ring replacement (haven’t done this yet, but I can)
  33. Not always being the first in a group to need a break from an activity
  34. Hip bones
  35. The ability to make healthier choices more consistently
  36. Freedom to shop in ‘regular’ stores - though this feels very weird
  37. Being a size single digit
  38. Being too small for my previous “skinny” clothes
  39. A bunch of DietBet winnings
  40. StepBet winnings
  41. The confidence to try snowboarding
  42. A new snowboard, with DietBet winnings!
  43. The freedom of being able to say yes (let’s go snowshoeing, running, etc)
  44. Perspective on previous choices and thoughts
  45. The courage to try new things
  46. Being less scared of Jillian Michael’s videos (but no, I still haven’t done one)
  47. Being able to do a normal burpee although I’m not sure I want to
  48. New kitchen gadgets to support healthy eating
  49. Surprise when I catch my reflection unexpectedly
  50. Being able to look in the mirror and seeing how far I’ve come
  51. More self-awareness
  52. Being able to fit into “one-size-fits-all”
  53. New reasons to feel out of place that aren’t size related, and the opportunity to challenge those feelings
  54. Being able to wear my engagement ring again (and it’s getting too loose!)
  55. Being able to call myself a runner
  56. The confidence to rock jeans
  57. Rewards that are not food related
  58. Being asked for diet and health advice
  59. Having coworkers notice the difference
  60. Needing a new belt
  61. Being told I’m looking thin
  62. The courage to sign up for a Tough Mudder
  63. An insane feeling of excitement after signing up for the Tough Mudder and after reading the “you might die” waiver.
  64. The willingness to team up with strangers to do the Tough Mudder
  65. The drive to re-do the (kids version) Spartan with my niece
  66. The ability to identify barriers and implement strategies for success
  67. Being able to borrow clothes from my sister’s current wardrobe (even if they are large on her)
  68. Priceless moments. Like when seeing me look in my sister’s closet to borrow clothes, my niece offered up her own sweaters. She’s five. And possibly delusional, but wonderfully oblivious to size.
  69. Being able to go to the zoo and keep up with my niece
  70. Being able to say “yes” to things that were previously impossible because of my weight
  71. Being able to haul my nephew in and out of his car seat without struggling for breath
  72. Being able to keep up with my nephew at the indoor play centre
  73. Being able to go on the slide with my nephew
  74. Increased walking speed
  75. More energy
  76. Enjoyment out of making healthy choices (especially on road trips)
  77. Satisfaction out of ordering a salad at a restaurant
  78. A sense of pride
  79. Moments when I like what I see in the mirror
  80. The confidence to let go of social memberships that I am no longer enjoying
  81. Being able to turn down a “good deal” on chocolate because I know that it’s a bad idea
  82. Being able to leave food on my plate
  83. Satisfaction with smaller portions of dessert
  84. Determination to do another 25 km bike ride
  85. Being at my lowest adult weight
  86. A new-old ring. I can finally wear the one my grandmother gave me.
  87. The discipline to give my husband the doughnut that I was given in error at the drive through (I wanted a doughnut hole)
  88. Knowing that I can do and achieve more than I think
  89. Being able to fit into a size medium, consistently - even in “skinny people” stores
  90. More interest in being presentable when I leave the house. I have make-up now. And sometimes I use it!
  91. Being able to say “told you so” (in my head) to that one doubtful dietitian
  92. Being able to fit into ‘normal’ width shoes
  93. The opportunity to keep working on myself and towards my goals
  94. Knowing that while I do not see my progress, others do and it does exist
  95. The chance (and confidence) to meet new people and expand my social circle
  96. A positive outlook for the year 2017
  97. The persistence to keep going and/or try again when faced with challenges
  98. The ability to reflect on challenges and not be defined by the struggle
  99. An emotional moment of pride and disbelief when I finally reached 100 lbs lost
  100. The courage to post this