Victory Then -----> Victory Now

This week, one of the blog hop topics is to write about a past victory. Last week, someone commented that she clicked on my post because of the picture of me and Donald Duck on my profile. I thought it was a little ironic since that picture was taken five years ago after I completed the Donald Duck Half Marathon at Disney World. It was a wonderful weekend! My crazy husband ran the half marathon with me on Saturday and then ran the full marathon on Sunday, completing the "Goofy Race and a Half Challenge." What was ironic about it is that my half marathon training was part of my weight loss plan to get back to my prepregnancy weight. I had started training, but wasn't losing any weight. Probably because I was still eating pretty much whatever I wanted. Some friends of mine were talking about going to Weight Watchers and I had been thinking of going too, so the three of us all started at the same time. I wouldn't say we held each other accountable, but I did find myself wanting to do well because I didn't want them to lose more weight than me! I guess a little friendly competition can be motivating for me! I did great on the Weight Watchers plan and met my goal of getting down to my prepregnancy weight before my daughter's first birthday. I felt great about myself and planned to keep up with WW and keep running. But....a few months later, I got pregnant! I was very excited and planned to continue exercising and eating well, but being pregnant and chasing a toddler don't mix! I felt nauseous most of the time and boy was I tired! I gained more weight with this pregnancy than I did the first. I knew if I started Weight Watchers as soon as possible after my son's birth, I would be able to get the weight off again. So, as soon as I was ready, I went back to Weight Watchers. I was nursing, so I got loads of extra points! After a few weeks, I felt like my milk supply was getting low and ultimately decided to quit WW for a while in order to keep nursing. I can't even tell you how many times I have started WW since then and quit. Usually it only lasts for a week or two and then I give up. It's usually because I have slipped and can't get myself past it: "Oh, it's Thursday and I've already used up all my extra points for the week, there's no way I can make it through the weekend" or "this is too hard with little kids" or "I just need to accept that I'm going to be fat forever and learn to live with it." Not very positive things to tell myself. But, I'm determined to break this terrible cycle and get healthy! I know that I can do it because I have done it before. I may have two kids now instead of one, but that just gives me one more reason to push through the temptation and do this!