Went shopping.... and holy $*&%!

This weekend after a 5k run around our neighborhood, my husband told me I needed new running shorts. I coyly asked him why and he said, "I'm tired of seeing you have to pull them back up every few steps". I was sold...any reason to shop was okay by me..especially for fitness clothes. I work out 5 days a week, so that's usually my normal attire. I hit up the outlet and picked out a few shorts in GET THIS...size mediums!! Say what??? The girl who used to be a 2XL? Yeah, that was me...giddy in the dressing room. So afterwards, I thought, why not hit up a few more stores. I picked out a pair of linen pants I fell in love with...in my size that I've been the past few months an 11/12. Tried them on...too big. I'm all shocked...I asked my daughter to grab the 9/10's. Insert about 12 insanely wide happy faces right here!!!

As you can see on my instagram post...I was a size 22...beaming in a size 9/10. I am still kind of in shock. Still to this day when I pick out clothes and I hold them out in front of me..I always assume they won't fit...only because for years I've been holding up clothes that could be small comforter sizes. It's still hard somedays to get my brain to adjust to the new me. I've lost 3 inches in my neck. 12 inches in my waist, 12 inches in my hips. 13 inches in my bust. Not to mention...the ring that was given to me by my mother was a size 7 that I had to have resized to a size 9 because my fingers were that huge is now having to be resized to a size 5.5. I think I got whiplash when the lady at the jewelry counter told me I had small fingers. Yeah...this happened. 

Sequoia National Park

A little over a week ago we finally ventured out and decided it was time to go see the giant sequoia's. But before we went, I knew the only way to get my kids excited was to show them youtube videos of our adventure. I remember being a kid and my dad wanting me to be excited about stuff and honestly, it was never really presented in a way I could feel that excitement. It was nice to prepare the kids for what was ahead...especially General Sherman. And we saved that for last. We climbed Moro Rock and wow, what a view... A little scary for the little one, looking over the edge, I realized it was a huge drop...any falling and you're not coming back. I was sure to remind my kids the importance of staying on the trail, and of course my nine year old tested that out first thing. Which gave me anxiety for the next few days....all the stupid "what if's". Besides all that, it was one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen...in a whole different way. I've seen the beauty of nature when it comes to paradise..but seeing the beauty of the forest...makes you realize just how small we are on this huge planet. I am so grateful to say I have been to the Sequoia's and hopefully we have created some great memories for the kids to one day say, "hey mom, remember that one time we went to..." . I think the most important thing are our memories. I want to give them many. 

Bears? I guess we are in the forest.

 Just to give you an idea on how massive these trees are. 

 Out of order, but this is on the way up. 

 My daughter amazed on the size of the pine cone

 Look how tiny we are. 

Waiting on daddy to bring the van...didn't think the kids would appreciate five more miles of hiking.

 Moro Rock

 Here we go!

 on our way up Moro Rock

 Family shot. Thank you to the kind stranger for offering to take our picture. Framer!

 On top of Moro Rock

 Hanging out on Roosevelt

 These are so out of order. Meet General Sherman. 

100 lbs weight loss

On March 20, 2013, I officially lost 100 lbs. The picture is a bit blurry as my lil 5 year old can't seem to hold still (but really who can at that age).

I'm really late in posting this but I keep so busy between fitness classes like bootcamp, TRX, spin and just runs for fun. It's hard for me not to giggle as I write runs for fun. This girl who couldn't run a tenth of a mile without pain, loss of breath and zero stamina. It feels really good to say that. I have so many people who tell me that I've been their inspiration. It's weird feeling so lost in this world, ashamed and now being so full of confidence and able to say "I inspire people". Wow! And I'm happy to inspire anyone who was like me. Pretending to be happy but really ashamed and scared. I'm finally getting myself back. Playing outside with my kids (yes, people that sounds so cliche but it's true), hiking, being out in public! Life is good!

A year from now you'll wish you started today

I have made it! I did it, I made it a whole year of healthy eating, working out and pure dedication. They say New Year resolutions don't work and not to aim so high but I definitely needed to set my goals. I started the year making small goals for my weight loss and each time I'd reach them, I'd make another and another. It's hard to believe, the yoyo dieter me was able to continue for so long but it's because I stopped "dieting" and started eating right and working out...I stopped feeling like I was being deprived, learned portion control and became aware of how much I was overeating. Here's to all of you who want to make 2013 a healthy beginning!

Blue stripe tank: January 1, 2012

Beige tank: January 1, 2013