It's now time to do one of the obligatory "Goodbye 2011" posts, and say au revoir to the past year.
If summarizing my post titles, each month would look like this:
{January} "First of 2011 Update"
{February} "Bicycles"
{March} "Owl Art"
{April} "Rainboots and Making Lists"
{May} "Simple Gift"
{June} "Nose to the Grindstone - In Other Words, Happy June!"
{July} "Whoa, July?"
{August} "Change."
{September} "New Season, New Decoration"
{October} "Chicago! Part 1, 2, 3 & 4"
{November} "The Secret is Out!"
{December} "New in Town"
But what does that really say about my year?
It certainly gives small vignettes of my life, but what's really important is the accomplishments.
What I have accomplished this year is very tangible. First, Michael and I overcame a hurdle in our relationship, and have since made strides to become closer as a couple. We've also taken the big leap and moved away from Texas, to a new state and new home. We're setting out on our own adventure, and becoming a more in-tune pair.
One of my personal achievements this year comes in the form of health. I've found an interest of mine lies in being healthy. This might seem simple to some people, but it's a great feeling when you find something you enjoy. In my journey to learn, I've begun making better decisions for my own life. I've started to be more consistent with my exercise, trying to be athletic in my daily life, and living by a new philosophy, "Calories in, calories out!" Since I've been doing all of these things, I've become healthier, more comfortable in my own skin, and have lost weight!
If summarizing my post titles, each month would look like this:
{January} "First of 2011 Update"
{February} "Bicycles"
{March} "Owl Art"
{April} "Rainboots and Making Lists"
{May} "Simple Gift"
{June} "Nose to the Grindstone - In Other Words, Happy June!"
{July} "Whoa, July?"
{August} "Change."
{September} "New Season, New Decoration"
{October} "Chicago! Part 1, 2, 3 & 4"
{November} "The Secret is Out!"
{December} "New in Town"
But what does that really say about my year?
It certainly gives small vignettes of my life, but what's really important is the accomplishments.
What I have accomplished this year is very tangible. First, Michael and I overcame a hurdle in our relationship, and have since made strides to become closer as a couple. We've also taken the big leap and moved away from Texas, to a new state and new home. We're setting out on our own adventure, and becoming a more in-tune pair.
One of my personal achievements this year comes in the form of health. I've found an interest of mine lies in being healthy. This might seem simple to some people, but it's a great feeling when you find something you enjoy. In my journey to learn, I've begun making better decisions for my own life. I've started to be more consistent with my exercise, trying to be athletic in my daily life, and living by a new philosophy, "Calories in, calories out!" Since I've been doing all of these things, I've become healthier, more comfortable in my own skin, and have lost weight!
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| I weighed around 200 in August 2007, when Husband proposed. |
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| Later, I weighed 205 at an Alpha Phi Omega banquet. |
Since then, I lost about 20 pounds, mainly because of my wedding in September 2008.
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| I weighed around 180 for my wedding. |
Then, in the following 2.5 years, I gained back about 12 of those lost pounds. It's hard to maintain weight loss through losing a job, supporting a new marriage, and moving to a new place.
But, there's light at the end of the tunnel!
This year alone, I've lost 27 pounds!
Since 2007 at my heaviest, I've lost 40 pounds!
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| Me at 165 in December 2011. |
It's such an achievement for me, and I am recognizing it! I still have more weight to lose (and more muscle to build) before I'm at my healthy weight. This journey isn't done, but it's more than halfway over!
Happy New Year!
OMG, you look absolutely amazing. It's hard to tell the difference when you see someone day to day, but seeing the pictures lined up, I am amazed and so proud of you for all the hard work you've done! You're such a champion...I know you're going to meet and exceed your goals! Here's to 2012!!
ReplyDelete@Michelle Thank you! It's through friends like you who care about health and well-being that I was able to do this. Thank you for your support and well-wishes! I love you!
ReplyDeleteAshley you look so good and all your hard work has paid off. Good luck to you as you continue to meet your goals. Tell Michael hi for me.
ReplyDelete@ Sha'Tia Thank you for your sweet comment! It's so nice to have people verbally reward me for what seems like an eternity of effort! I will tell him you said hi!
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