1-Year Transformation!

I was just chatting with a friend the other day and I said I can’t believe I have spent the last 13 years extremely overweight, about 275 pounds on average. Looking back at what photos I have it was so neat to see the transformation. It has for sure been a roller coaster ride, which weight has always been for me–but 2013 was the secret year which will change my future going forward! Yesterday I turned 39, which is so hard to believe-but you better bet I am going to make up for some of those lost years this year! Here are some photos I found that map out where I was in my 20/30’s and my final transformation one year later!

There were times in my life when I was thin and hot and loved having my picture taken, then there were the years in my 20’s I started packing on the pounds. My 20’s is when I started gaining weight quickly; I gained about 90 pounds over the course of just a few short years. Looking back through some photo albums I was able to track down some pictures. Then in my 30’s I tried some to lose but, never really had much success with it until 2013!  Somehow I hope my journey will inspire you to get healthy if you need to and know that you are not alone in your struggle with weight.

Here are just a few photos from the last 13 years: 

Mid 20’s:

    This is when rodeo was my everything! LOL-check out that belt buckle, yes I won it! Despite my weight I used to be very good in barrel racing and I could hold my own in team roping as well. Even though I rode horses for more hours than I liked, I still manage to pack on the pounds eating BBQ and drinking Crown/Coke or beer. This was the summer I was on the road most of the summer-this is Colorado, the summer I went to Cheyenne Rodeo Days!

Late 20’s I was a state pageant queen for the Ms. American Rose Pageant System

My 30th birthday and first year in Naples, FL

Mid 30’s: I call this my “Umpa Lumpa” picture! Never get a spray tan the day of an event.

This year has had its ups and downs as any year has, but the end result is what counts the most. I ended up losing 90 pounds total from January 17, 2013 to January 17, 2014. Had I been more consistent with my eating and crossfitting I may have lost even more, but I am very happy with the changes I have been able to make. The next big celebration will be when I get under the 200# mark! I will be consistent the rest of the year with my Paleo eating and Crossfit training, I no longer fret over the foods I cannot have, it allows me to get creative and brave to try new things. The final transformation picture for the 1-year mark!

Baby steps, support, and positive thinking will allow you to hold on to your goals and pursue them. Don’t focus on the end result, just take each day one at a time and surround yourself with positive sayings and positive thoughts. I still get “stinkin thinkin'” but it is the positivity which allows me refocus and get it right. This last year I kind of quit church because I didn’t want to hear what I needed to hear, I put a wall up. While my family was here, I started going back to church on a regular basis and having the balance and prayer time back in my life has made a big difference in my positive thinking too. God has worked some amazing things in my life, he’s brought me back from a flat-line on the table of an ER more than one time. One day I will finish writing my journey and be able to share the trials, triumphs, and grace that has allowed me to keep pushing along a day at a time, a breath at a time, and in the box a rep at a time!

Blessings!