I'm proud to say that, one year later, I have lost (and kept off) nearly 20 POUNDS! It has been hard work with many ups and downs (I got down to 177 at one point, but am unfortunately up (pound wise) in the past few weeks), but I never get tired of hearing "You look skinny!". I've gone down 2 jeans sizes and am now wearing a size 8 in American Eagle. I haven't bought a new dress since then, but I can imagine I have probably gone down a dress size as well.
The hardest part for me has been not eating the foods I love on such a regular basis. If you know me, you know that I could eat Chipotle at least once a week, and could go to Starbucks or Caribou every other day. I've had to cut back a bunch on both of those, and even went a good part of the summer without going to Chipotle, just so I could ensure that I would fit into my bridesmaid's dress for my cousin's wedding. I've found it easy to exercise regularly, and it will only get easier now that Fall is coming, and I will be able to walk outside.
BUT, I'm only halfway-ish to my goal! I set a new goal for myself to lose 50 pounds in 2 years. This would put me right around 150, which still isn't my "healthy weight", but is a heckuva lot closer. SO, I started Weight Watchers this past Sunday (when I started writing this blog... it has taken me a few days to put it together). I have had success with WW in the past, and this time paid for 4 months, so hopefully I will see some results! I'm also starting P90X this week. I may not follow it as religiously as I should due to a lack of time, but it will be a nice change from my usual elliptical/treadmill routine.
Life is getting crazy too. I'm in my final semester of true academic work, and my courses this semester are difficult and not the most interesting, although I'm really liking the brain injury stuff we are currently learning. Tomorrow (Friday), we pick our clinical sites, where we will be for 8ish months starting in January. I already know that I will be in Rock Hill, SC for my first one, working at HealthSouth Rock Hill, and staying with a campus ministry at Winthrop University. I am so excited to live in an amazing Christian community for 10 weeks, and be reunited with some amazing friends that I met in college and didn't get to spend an extended amount of time with. I'm hoping the following clinic will be in Charleston, SC, and then my third one either in Atlanta or Washington DC. We'll see how it plays out, and I'll keep you guys updated!
Last, here's some before and after pictures... me last year at my White Coat ceremony, and me earlier this week. What a change!
Sunday's weight: 182.8 lbs.
Today's weight (5 days into Weight Watchers): 180.2 lbs.
-Austin
PS. Since I'm not exactly trying to lose the "12 Pounds of Christmas" anymore, I need a new name for my blog! I'm definitely open to suggestions!
