5 year blog-iversary

5 years ago, I started this blog, as a form of accountability for myself on my weightloss journey.  Read my original post here.

In that 5 years, my life has changed dramatically!

I have become a triathlete.

I have attempted 8 half marathons, and finished 2.

I have competed in a CrossFit competition.

I have had Gastric Sleeve surgery, which has helped me lose 95#.

I have started to gain some of that weight back, and am back up to 190#  (Still down 80#)

I've auditioned twice for The Biggest Loser, twice.

I have been brutally honest about my mental state, and how it feels to be me.

I have learned SO much about who I am as a woman, a wife, and a mother.

I have grown personally, and shrunk physically.

I have shared my journey, and a lot of you have been here since day 1.

I have been supported by my family every step of the way.  My amazing husband has held my hand while I cried and encouraged me every step of the way.  My kids have graciously forgotten what I looked like at my heaviest and swear that the pictures that I have of me "then" can't possibly be me.

My life has changed in more ways that I would have even thought possible.  I have had the help and encouragement of some amazing people along the way--Andrea Logan, Rachael Brown, Amy Smith, Jennifer VanAlstine, Michelle Bordeaux, Cassandra Reyes, Michele, Sarah and Sarah have all been amazing and supportive throughout this process.

I've been inspired by Cambrey Fuller, Jen Widerstrom, Dolvett Quince, Bob Harper, Chris and Heidi Powell.  Watching people take control and transform their lives  has inspired me, even at my worst to never give up.  Why do I still watch, The Biggest Loser, Extreme Makeover Weightloss Edition and My 600 Pound Life?  Those people inspire me endlessly.  They have allowed cameras to follow their journey in a very public way.  They have put themselves "out there" in a way far more public than I have with my measly little blog.

What's up next?  I'm back to Cross-Fit.  I finished my foundations class on Thursday, and will be getting back to the box to get my booty working out again.  When my Nana entered the hospital in December, she told me she was concerned about me, because it looked like I was gaining weight again.  I had only gained back 3 or 4 pounds at that point, but now, I'm up a total of 18 from my lowest weight since my WLS.  It's time to get it back, get the scale moving in the right direction again.  I have 2 goals with CrossFit and the remainder of my Weight Loss/Life journey.  I'd really like to be fit enough to no longer require Spanx.  In all, if I had to pick a number, I'd like to lose about another 40# from where I am today, which is 190#.

The awesome running support group that I love so much--From Left to right, Jennifer, Stacey, Julie and Rachael.  (The dude is the tattoo artist that did all of our tattoos this past July)

My awesome friend Rachael.  She inspires me, and keeps me going.  I love her for how amazing she is.  

Truth be told---when I lay down and the extra skin falls to the side, rather than standing up--things look a whole lot better.

Anniversary dinner with my hubby 

Me, Jennifer and Michelle--2 of my favorite people!

The morning of my Weight Loss Surgery

The morning of my Weight Loss Surgery

Me, My Sister and Denise Carter.  One of the most badass women I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.

Me and Ali Vincent--the first female winner of The Biggest Loser.  She is so amazing and genuine.  

This is what I looked like after completing 4 WODs in one day at my one and only CrossFit Competition.  I think I want to go back to this same Competition in 2017 to see how different if feels at a much healthier weight.  The girls from my box were AMAZING and supportive.  One of them even submitted me to Women of CrossFit.  I was honored to work out with and know these ladies!

When all else fails, and you don't want to---you scrunch up your face and pull as hard as you can to make sure you don't get no-repped.

My original CrossFit coaches, Tyler and Andrea.  I'm so glad that Andrea kept asking me "When will you let me help you?"  If she hadn't persisted, I would never have tried, and fallen in love with CrossFit.  

I became a Triathlete

Finished my 1st Half Marathon.  3:25:23.  Almost 4 minutes ahead of the cut-off time.  So proud.  I cried for the last half mile.

I got to meet Running Royalty.  That's Meb Keflezighi, winner of the 2014 Boston Marathon

My awesome family--though it's a few years old.  I LOVE my husband and kids.  

Immediately after surgery.  The bruises are from my incision sites.

This past spring.  I bought this bikini to wear to the beach for Mother's Day weekend.  It ain't perfect, but it's a damn site better than where I started.  

This was just after finishing my 2nd half marathon.  It was July, in Chicago and was BRUTALLY hot.  It was about 90* and super humid.  People were dropping like flies all over the 2nd half of the course. There were med tents with kiddie pools full of ice and water, soaking those wash clothes I'm holding/wearing in my picture.  This was the hardest race EVER, so proud I could finish it.