Weight Loss Wednesday!

You guys are in for a real treat today - I mean who doesn't love talking about weight loss and just putting it all out there??? Yeah, me neither. I hate it, makes me feel vulnerable, and while weight loss can be one of the greatest things EVER, it can also be really hard.

A year ago - around this same time - if you knew me, you'd know that I was 60 pounds heavier than what I weigh now. 60. You read that right, kids.

And looked something like this:

I was incredibly unhappy - so I decided to make a change - I started running (Couch to 5k, holla) and decided to become a vegetarian (pescatarian).  

I was around a size 16-18 and was miserable in my life. I thought I looked good in these pictures. I was unhealthy, was eating everything in sight and just really needed an upgrade on life. Ya feel me?

I lost around 35 pounds but my weight went back and forth. I'd go back to eating fatty foods and so my weight was just never what I wanted it to be. 

At Easter, I looked like this:

In July, this was me:

The pictures from my trip to Miami really sparked something in me. I had to make a change - so I decided to really step up my work out game, really make a difference in my eating, and just make a lifestyle change.

This is me now:

I'm teetering between a size 8 and 10 and am really happy with the way I feel. 

Since July I've lost 26 pounds, over 30 inches total and have lowered my BMI by 6 points. According to the BMI scale I am still considered overweight, which is probably right since I have about 20 more pounds left to go to be where I want to be.

I've had so many questions on HOW I've done it that I just wanted to put it out there.

Whoever said nothing tastes as good as skinny feels was right. It took me a while to get there to be able to say those words, but they are right. It's all about a lifestyle change.

I'm doing a diet that is high in protein, and low on sugars, carbs, calories and fat.

Ideally, it's eating everything in moderation. I never feel deprived, but at first, I did. I wanted those carbs, needed those carbs - and somedays, I still do. But making a change in your diet to eat clean, eat healthy, lower your sodium intake and eat those colorful veggies, will not only make you feel better, it'll help your waist line too!

I fully believe that any kind of weight loss is only temporary without exercise or being physical in some way shape or form - I get out and do at least 30 minutes of sweating and physical activity EVERY.SINGLE.DAY.

Here's the kicker - yeah, I've cut out most of my alcohol intake, but those are empty calories. Do I still drink a glass of wine or two (twelve) on the weekends? Yes. Do I still eat bread with dinner? Once a week. Do I still wish I could stick my head in a candy bowl and come out after I've devoured every kit kat? Not so much anymore.

You guys have been great. I've blogged about my low self-esteem many times - and for the first time I feel pretty. That doesn't happen very often in my neck of the woods, friends. So thank you, thank you for making me feel like I'm finally part of the land of the living again. 

xoxo,
Brooke