I started a blog Jan of this year. It was a blog to follow my weightloss journey. I have not written in it since probably April or May. That was when I found out I would be uprooting my family and moving over 6,000 km away. But here I am today, almost a year later.
Jan 1 2014 started like any other year. Everyone had "resolutions" and I resoluted NOT to have a resolution. I thought they were pointless. If you wanted to change your life, you had 365 days to do it, start NOW. For me that date was Jan 16.
I started a new job that I was proud of and had everything I wanted. One of thoes things was close access to the gym I use to love to go to when I was single and healthy. Now I was married, had a 6 month old and had gained approx 80 lbs along the way. What did I do to myself!? How did I let this happen!? It was time to make time for myself again and to feel strong.
About 3 months in, I had lost 25 lbs and was feeling GREAT! I was so proud of myself. I set a goal to lose the 80 lbs I had gained in 1 year. At this time, 55 lbs seemed so far away, but I had time, and determination. What I didnt know was, I would also be making the biggest move of my life and everything I knew was about to change. My weightloss was put on hold as I prepared to relocate from my home town in Saint John, NB to the tiny isolated village of Fort Simpson, NT. For those reading from America, thats about the equivalent of going from Maine to Alaska. I was scared, excited, heart broken, hopeful and everything in between. However, in some small way, this would be a weightloss blessing in disguise.
My husband and I drove across the U.S. vowing to enjoy all the American food along the way because the place we were headed didnt have ANY access to fast food. Not a Tim Hortons, not a McDonalds.... NOTHING. ALL our meals were to be prepared at home. So, as we went along, we stopped at Olive Garden, Denny's, Krispy Kremes, Dunkin Doughnuts, IHOP ect. When we got to Mount Rushmore, I was starting to feel bad about myself and refused to get my picture taken with my daughter, something I regret. I missed a moment, because my weight held me back. By the time we were done, I was fast fooded out! Bleh! But it didn't stop there...
As much as I thought, or hoped I would get back on the wagon, I spiraled out of control. Because of the remote location, a lot of the food we have access to has to be shipped in from long distances and can get pretty expensive... espically fresh fruits and veggies. A cucumber here can reach up to $6 and a lb of cherries $40. No joke! :S Everything else is proccessed, frozen or canned. I found myself living on a diet of hot dogs and candy all summer long. Contrary to what you might believe, it is EXTREMELY hot and desert-like here in the summer. I didn't go outside because I would have to dress for the weather and I was too ashamed of myself to wear anything less than jeans and a t-shirt.
It was now Aug and I got on the scale. I was actually SHOCKED to see I had only gained 8 lbs after all the sabotage I had done to my healthy lifestyle. I had to make a decision, continue to be miserable, do this again next summer, or CHANGE! I chose once again to change. :)
I cut out ALL flour, sugar ONLY for reward treats, more water, no pop, counted calories and adopted a Pinterest addiction for low carb/ high fat/ high protien/ paleo recipies. My new job was keeping me active, so I embraced it and tried to find ways I could lift, walk and build more. I bought an elliptical machine and put it in our basement. I get on it 2-3 times a week while watching Extreme Weightloss on my phone. My life changed and so was I!
It is now Dec 31, almost 1 year from the day I began. As I look back, I can't believe how far I have come and what I have done. I am 31 years old, I have a husband and a 19 month old beautiful daughter. I traveled and moved across the country, leaving everything and everyone I knew and love behind and now im 60 lbs lighter and 20 lbs from my innitial goal. No, I will probably not make it. Im sure if I had of stayed committed, I would have, but I do not regret it because I dont want to ever allow my weight to make me regret anything ever again. I have new goals in mind now. I want to be able to travel home on vacation 40 lbs lighter than I am now. I want to go shopping and buy a new wardrobe for my new, proud body. And I want to FINALLY start taking pictures and making memories without reservation, or regret. ♡♡♡