Why am I proud of myself?

(I wrote this for the Healthy Body Club forums but thought it would be good to put it here too)

1996: Came last in cross country and made a vow never to run again- my poor little fat pre-teen body just could not handle it.

1997-2002: Miserable with my body without the wisdom that something could be done- highschool kids are cruel...

2003: On a plane coming home from england I asked the hostess for a seat belt extender so I could fly safely. The regular seat belt cut me in half and I could barely breath. This was a wake-up call! I was 115kilos and suffering from bladder control issues at the age of 18!

On the same trip (in Melb airport) I picked up a copy of Ajays book (confessions of a reformed dieter) and could not put it down. This lady was talking about all the things I had avoided talking about for so many years (even the bum-wiping issue that I swore only happened to me!)

Late 2003: I joined the gym and started aqua aerobics classes and walking. I cleared all the junk food out of my kitchen and started trying to find healthier options (to begin with it was just buying anything that said "fat free")

2004: I was able to lose 15kilos before my wedding in December. My motto was slow and steady. I was counting weight watchers points to track my food and I started doing more vigorous classes at the gym. I joined HBC for the first time.

2005: This is the year that it really all came together. I started a weightloss blog and met a huge group of fantastic ladies who were also trying to lose weight. I met a new friend called Philippa who was the same weight and height as me with the same goal weight. So we worked together to reach our goal.

I found the key to getting results with my PT Sarah- WEIGHT TRAINING! It was hard but the cardio alone was not making my body look the way I wanted it to. I was 83kilos and needed something to change if I was going to get to goal so I devised my own 12 week challenge. I worked hard doing 3 weights sessions and 3 cardio sessions every week. I was able to lift some very heavy weights!

By the end of the challenge I was 74kilos and finally at my goal weight.
I am very proud of my achievements!

2006: I got pregnant! I put on a lot of weight during my pregnancy- I never learned to maintain my weight and my portion sizes and servings of junk food increased.

2007: I focussed on my baby and began to rein my eating in.

It is now 2008 and I have lost 30 kilos since my highest pregnancy weight. I am on the road to reaching my goal again. I have about 10 kilos until I am in a healthy weight range again. I am now a runner and have competed in several events this year.

I am very proud of doing it all again!