The Fabulous Fattie

Today's Spotlight Blog feels like an old friend.  Terri the author of Gathering My Roses is one of a kind, and we love her!  Many friends have been made on this journey and she is simply amazing.  She has been a cheerleader to many and was an inspiring challenger in the Fab Fattie Challenge #3.  She is not one to shy away from voicing her opinion, take my word on that one   We love how she supports fellow bloggers.  That is what it is all about to us, a network of support and kindness while on this weight loss journey.  When you vist her blog you will find fab recipes, giveaways, goals, weigh-in's and more.  Join Terri on her journey we know you will love her just as much as we do!  (*photo is Terri 59 pounds down, WOOT!)

XO  

Small Changes...Big Difference!

 I didn’t plan on losing weight.  In fact, I wasn’t certain it was even possible as I have been over weight (obese / fat / Rubenesque) for almost 20 years.

No, there was no “plan”.

Sometime, in early January of 2009, I was out with Mike and we stopped to get something to drink.  “Bring me water”, I told him.   Water?   Really?  Me???

That started it.  I just started drinking water and walked away from my beloved sweet tea… cola… and most of all, my coffee.  My coffee with cream and 10 – count ‘em – 10 teaspoons of sugar!

I dropped 10 pounds in one month.

When I visited my Doctor in February, he was quite pleased and told me to “keep it up” but not to “diet”.  “We’ll work on the weight loss later”, he told me.

In February,   I started eating breakfast.  This is something I NEVER did.  Ever.   I hated breakfast.  Besides, I was never hungry ‘til late afternoon anyway.

However, I had read that breakfast was the key to losing weight, so I thought I’d give it a try.  I bought some cheerios and even decided to give yogurt a try.

March 1^st comes and I’m back at the Doctor.  Weighing 20 pounds less than I did at that very first appointment. 

From that moment, I began to consciously think before I ate.  I tracked every morsel.   I made changes.  Small changes. 

I traded sherbet for ice cream, yogurt for sweet desserts, salad for burgers and fries.  I began to measure my portions. 

And I began walking.  I didn’t get very far at all at first.  ¼ mile and I was huffing and puffing.  But each day I kept going.  Today, a four-mile trek is no problem.

Yes, I still have a long way to go.  I still make small changes.  But these small changes have added up to so many big differences.  I’ve left my size 3X (26/28) clothes behind and I’m wearing 16/18 now.

I sleep at night, my insomnia is gone.  I wake up refreshed and ready to M*O*V*E!   I can breathe… deeply.   I can play again.  

I feel like I did in my early 30s – better even.

This is no race to a fast finish.  This is a slow journey – it lasts a lifetime and requires patience and persistence.  Take your time, make a few changes, and don’t forget to stop and gather a few roses along the way.

Terri Patillo

GeorgiaMist

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