Part 2 of 2

To watch Part 1 of this 2 part blog, click HERE!

My Weight Loss Journey

began in January, 2018. I knew I needed to do something different as I weighed the most I had ever weighed my entire life. UGH! My husband and I are always trying to be healthy and do healthy things. We have tried many, many approaches over the years only to end up gaining back all the weight and more. It was time to go back to what I’ve always known has worked for me – WW (Weight Watchers).

WW was advertising that you could join and lose ten pound on them plus no joining fees. This promotion was right up this coupon, discount, sale loving queen’s alley!

January 2018

We officially joined Weight Watchers and attended our first meeting/weigh in on January 17th, 2018. This picture was taken about that exact time. It was the heaviest I’ve ever been my adult life. I had no great expectations in fact I thought it might be nice to loss 5 – 10 pounds. As we age, it can become more difficult to take off the weight that piled on so quickly. At least that’s what I believed to be true.

Our Leader, Brigid, is amazing! She’s funny, encouraging, real, down to earth…my list could go on and on! She had been our leader when we were previous members so we were thrilled she was still around! I jokingly said to Bridig, “The Augustyns are back and bigger than ever!” That’s truly how I felt. The following week I lost 7.2 lbs…wait what?!!!! That’s crazy in one week! The Free Style program is so easy to follow and allows you to eat until you’re full. It’s not how much you eat! It’s what you eat. By meeting 4, I had lost a total of 9.6! My confidence with each week began to build and my limited thinking improved as well!

FEBRUARY 2018

My husband and I attend weekly meetings on Wednesday nights. It might sound silly but it’s a day of the week we truly look forward to and enjoy all the members of our group. It is their friendship, the camaraderie and feeling that we’re in this together that enables me to continue on my successful journey! We share tips and tricks and offer words of encouragement as well as celebrate each other successes! He and I go out to dinner to Chipotles afterwards. I create a bowl that’s filling and delicious! On a side note, we’ve made many friends there and know them by name! All super friendly and cheerful!

I knew that it would be critical for me to share my journey with those closest to me. Lori joined WW. My aunt joined WW. Each week we would text each other and cheer each other on as weigh in approached.

By the end of February, I lost a total of 12.6! I fulfilled the requirement of losing 10 pounds within the first two month of joining and received two months free! I love a good challenge and I love all things FREE! Two checks in the positive column!!

March 2018

In March, we only attended three meetings due to the fact that we were out of town during Spring Break, which was the last week in March. We went away over Spring Break to Las Vegas. I was very nervous about being gone on vacation, not having a scale to weigh myself and tracking my intake properly. One of the best things about WW is the app for tracking. I did my best to guess point amounts. I discovered that restaurants will custom make meals for you that aren’t on their menus. I was slightly embarrassed to order my usual 4 to 5 scrambled eggs but I did it! It was at this point that I began to realize I could no longer consume the quantity of food I was used to eating. Throughout the trip I ate within reason, enjoyed cocktails and shared a desert with my hubbie. I did not feel deprived and enjoyed my trip!

My celebrations on this trip included that my swimsuit was too big and I felt so much more confident walking around the pool. Our young cabana girl commented on my suit, sunglasses and nails! I always put that in my winning column especially when its a compliment from a young 20 something! At WW, we call these non-scale wins, which are equally as important!

Upon returning to our meeting the week after break, I lost 3.4 lbs! Besides our first week, that was the most I lost in a one week time frame and I had been gone on vacation! MAJOR WINNING!!! Grand total lost 19.6. Getting so close to my 20 lb charm!

At the April 11th weigh in, I lost 1 lb for a total of 20.8 lbs! Words can’t describe how thrilled I was and still in shock that I was doing so well working the program as it’s intended! I received my 20 lb charm…happy dance! Love the charms and celebrating!

I believe it was at this point that others began to notice and comment. I have no qualms about sharing my journey and how I was doing it. In sharing, others became interested and wanted to join. It also created a sense of accountability for me.

By the end of April, I lost a total of 22.6. I wanted to celebrate my 20 lb loss with a Peanut Buster Parfait with extra nuts at Dairy Queen. That is until I looked up the points. 33 points, which is more than I get in a day! That is why I’m at WW! HA! Don’t get me wrong. We could have done it but I CHOOSE not to do it!

May 2018

By May, I’m being to feel more confident, which is odd since I didn’t feel as though I wasn’t confident prior to now. It’s a difficult thing to explain and I’m not quit sure I can do it just. Suffice it to say I felt as though I had a spring in my step! It became necessary to get new pants that fit better. A great problem to have and as you know I LOVE to SHOP!

On May 16th, I earned my 25 lb charm! I had lost 26.4 lbs. at weigh in!

By the final weigh in on May 30th, I was down 30.2 lbs.! Pinch me! There aren’t any more charms until -50 lbs. I think WW should up their charm game! That’s a long haul from 25 to 50…just my opinion!

June 2018

At this point, I began to hear things from others like, “Wow! I had no idea you even had 30 lbs to loss!” This made me happy as that has been the premise behind Fashion Trends and Friends all along! It’s been our mission to share how you can look cute and trendy no matter your age or your size! If you recall, Lori blogged about having to decide to shop or not to shop when she was heavier. (To read that post, click here: I Gained 25 Pounds and Nothing Fits! To Shop or Not to Shop?)

By the end of June, I’d lost a total of 33.4 lbs. I don’t recall for sure but this might have been when I began to think about the fact that my BMI might actually be attainable, which would mean hitting my goal weight! I didn’t dwell on that too much as I didn’t want to become discouraged along the way and feel as though it was sooooooo far away!

July 2018

Heading into summer break I was not sure how I’d do with not having the structure of going to work every day. I was nervous about managing my freedom and falling off the wagon. However, I’m blessed to report that I totally figured it out. Many times I’m asked what a typical breakfast, lunch and dinner are for me. With the Free Style program I rely heavily on the 0 point foods and build my meals around that. I tend to be a one track pony and am very happy/content to eat the same thing day in and day out. Once I find things I enjoy eating and that work for me, I can easily eat them daily. Summer brought pool time, vacation time and continued WW success! I must not forget to mention new swimsuits as the old were hanging on me when wet…a good problem to have! If you would have told me in January that by July I’d be posting pictures of myself in my swimsuit, I would have told you NO WAY IN H*LL!!!

By the end of the July, my total weight loss was 36 lbs.

August 2018

I had to make a rule for myself that if I put something on and it was too big for me, I needed to gift it to someone else and get rid of it. While I tend to love my clothes, I decided I couldn’t keep my larger sizes thinking I might need them again one day! The top in this picture is one that I held onto for quit some time even though I hadn’t worn it in probably years!!! (Yes, I know you’re not suppose to do that!) Why…because it’s too body hugging and not figure forgiving at all! In the past when I’d worn it, I wore a jacket over it to hid my midsection. I was able to wear it with confidence and without hiding myself behind other layers. Have you ever had the experience when you wear something and feel so confident and happy? This was one of those moments for me!

In August, we return to work. Over summer break, I don’t see a lot of the staff that I work with and found it so much fun to see everyone again! I was met with so many compliments. The weight loss was probably more noticeable since more time had elapsed vs seeing everyone every day.

Friends began to call me skinny, skinny minny….terms I’ve never associated with myself and still don’t. I’m not going to lie – I love being called skinny! It’s a whole new world for me! At times, I’m not even aware that it’s me their talking to!

By the end of August, I’d lost 36.6 lbs. I’d hit the dreaded plateau I’d heard everyone talking about! UGH!

September 2018

You’ve probably noticed that since May I use my tripod to take my pictures instead of my selfie stick. I didn’t even really realize that I’d made the transition. As previously mentioned, I wasn’t really aware that my weight impacted me. However, it did more than perhaps I allowed myself to realize.

I found it odd that people also began to tell me that I looked happier. I didn’t feel as though my happiness and confidence had shifted but perhaps others saw what I wasn’t seeing or feeling. I guess pictures don’t lie.

By the end of September, my total weight loss was 39.2. I was beginning to feel as though my journey was now at a snail’s pace. Len often reminds me that slow and steady wins the race. A slow weight loss is far better than a gain. Consider losing .6 lbs for a year. That would be 31.2 lbs in a years time. Far better than gaining or even staying the same! I needed all these pep talks! One of our members, Patti, always talks about being “in too deep” . This resonates with me! I’ve come so far to feel discouraged or to allow myself to slip!

October 2018

October brought new fashion options for me that I would have absolutely NEVER considered in the past! If you follow FTF, you know that I’ve become obsessed with my faux leather leggings! I’d wear them every day as they’re so comfortable and now figure flattering. I ordered these on Amazon (huge fan of Amazon shopping but be aware of sizing!). When they arrived, I took them out of the packaging and showed them to my husband! There was NO WAY these were going to fit even one leg! I was sure of it! He encouraged me to try them on any way! Well surprise surprise! They not only fit, but I LOVE THEM! It did take some initial courage to wear them, but eventually I even participated with other fashionable friends in a collaboration on ways to style them. To read that blog: click HERE

I still find myself not thinking things will fit often saying to myself, “Who am I kidding?!” Still not believing the new sizes I’m now able to wear!

By the end of October, I hit my goal and am in my BMI!!! I’ve lost 41 lbs.

November 2018

With November comes the start of the holiday season and lots of eating and temptations. On top of that, my focus now becomes figuring out how to maintain my weight. I’ve proven I’m awesome at gaining weight! I’ve proven I know how to loose weight! I now have to figure out how to maintain my weight…a new challenge. I decided I wanted to continue to loose some more weight so that I had a cushion. In order to become a lifetime member, you need to go for six weeks and be within 2 pounds of goal. Once you become a lifetime member, you no longer need to pay the monthly fee provided you weigh in at least once a month and are within 2 pounds of goal weight!

By the end of November, I’d lost another 2.4 lbs! I’m feeling great heading into December! On a side note, I think it’s important to state that I ate and drank everything I wanted on Thanksgiving! I did not deprive myself! That for me is the beauty of WW!

Lastly, I became a lifetime member on November 22! SUCCESS! I DID IT!!!

December 2018

Winter break, Christmas, New Years all came and went! I managed to maintain with a weight loss of 1.6. Talk about doing a happy dance! I’d made it through the holidays again enjoying the things I like to eat and drink. I’m pretty sure in years gone by I’d gain the typical 5 to 10 lbs. Len used to buy me the BIGGEST peanut M & Ms for my stocking – one of my favorites! I think it might have been the two pound bag. This year he got me a bag, which I ate over several days!

It’s hard to believe that almost a year has gone by since we started on this journey! I’m so unbelievably grateful for this process and this journey! I recently shared at one of my meetings, with the chance they might all throw something at me, that I’m grateful that the weight loss was slow and steady. In the moment, we’d like the weight to come off quickly. I know for me I wouldn’t be equipped to manage keeping it off and in a good head space to continue to make good decisions!

January 2019

I’ve included this final picture of me in my new “workout” clothes! It’s important to share that my entire weight loss was by following the plan. I rarely if ever did anything physical. Not that I’m proud of that but want to be real with you. Two years ago I was fit and heavy. When Len was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had his first surgery in February 2017, I fell off the workout wagon. Now I’m thin and not fit. My goal for this year is to be able to be thin and fit at the same time! I don’t set resolutions rather goals.

We’ve joined a new gym, which I’m excited about! I’m proud to report that I’ve done a pretty good job working out so far this year. My goal this year also includes trying new physical activities that I’ve never done before. First on my list is aerial yoga! Stay tuned for a post on that experience!

Here I am a year later! I used to make lots of excuses for myself on why I couldn’t do this weight loss thing! Never did I believe this would be possible for me! If I can do this, anyone can do this! It’s never too late! You’re never too old! Every step is worth it! If I can help you and encourage you in any way, I’m happy to do so and help you along your journey!

Final Thoughts:

This post is my opinion and solely about my journey! I acknowledge that even though this works for me it might not be for you. You should check with your doctor if necessary and find the plan that works the best for you.

If you’d like to check out WW, I’m including a link for you to join. If you join off of this link, you’ll get a free month and my husband will get a free month: https://www.weightwatchers.com/us/checkout/iaf/?iaftoken=8EA1C0CD00 and who doesn’t like a freebie?!

Do you have a favorite recipe? How is your weight loss journey going? What exercises do you enjoy and I should try? Please leave us a comment!

Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you! May you be surrounded by those you love today and feel an abundance of love! We appreciate the love you show FTF by liking and following us and leaving us comments!