Guest Post - Jen - Funny Minus the Fat

*I hope you enjoy Jen's story.  I thought it'd be a great one for BackAtSquareZero because I know some of you out there think - Lucky Abby she has already lost 25 pounds and she only wants to lose about a dozen more.  Then you worry if you have a larger goal or wonder how it can be done.  Well here is one amazing lady who is doing it!*

Hi Everyone!

My name is Jen and I normally blog at Such a Funny Fat but I'm really excited to be guest posting here today.  I started my journey to get healthy nearly two years ago when I weighed in at my highest recorded weight of 382.4 pounds.  I'm sure you're wondering how did you get started?  I don't really have an “A-Ha” moment it just sort of happened.  The trickier part is keeping it going!  Over the two years I've lost 180+ pounds and counting and while I'd love to say that I've found the magic pill or mantra to encourage me to keep going but it's nothing like that.  I simply LOVE the way I feel.  I love that I can eat healthy, feel good and still lose weight!

Me - July 2010

This past weekend I was home for a family reunion and that means FOOD.  There was chicken basted with butter and beer, potatoes, cheese curds, lots of pasta salads and of course baked goods!  I knew that I'd go a little off plan this weekend (and I was ok with that) because I wanted to really enjoy myself.  I tried not to focus on the food but rather the people that I don't get to see nearly often enough.  While we ate lunch I caught up with my cousin, Rebekah, so while we visited I ate slowly and felt satisfied without needing a second helping.  I had intended on going for a run after the reunion was over but settled for taking a walk to the historical society with family.  It was nice to be active and get to visit even more.

Mom, Brenda, & Me

I knew that no matter what I ate over the weekend, whether it was all carrot sticks or all coffee cake that Monday morning MUST be a big workout.  As long as I put 100% effort into a good workout on Monday morning then I wouldn't feel guilty about what I ate over the weekend.  After all, it is in the past.  So, I woke up this morning, laced up my Brooks and headed out.  I am about half way through a 5K to 10K training program so I've started hitting some of the longer runs and today was no exception but I nailed the workout and had great times, at least in my opinion! 

Consistency - Usually something I can spell, but never achieve!

I realize that my journey to get healthy will never be perfect because I'm not perfect, but I feel as though I am definitely making progress.  There were times throughout the weekend that I thought/reached for a treat and then realized I wasn't hungry so why was I doing that?  I find that to be tremendously rewarding!  I feel like those little moments, those non-scale victories, really help keep me on plan.

How about you?  Do you notice/celebrate your non-scale victories?  Want to continue to follow my journey?  Come visit me at http://suchafunnyfat.blogspot.com

I want to thank Abby for having me here today!  It's been so much fun!!