Mind Over Matter...

Let me just give you some figures.

8/16/11- 267 lbs.
Neck- 17 in
Upper Arm- 19 in
Chest- 50.5 in
Waist- 49.5 in
Hips- 55 in
Thigh- 32 in
Calf- 18.5 in
Ankle- 11 in

10/25/11- 246 lbs
Neck- 15 in
Upper Arm- 16.25 in
Chest- 46.5 in
Waist- 44 in
Hips- 51 in
Thigh- 27.75 in
Calf- 18 in
Ankle- 10 in

In 10 weeks I've lost 21 lbs. and 23 inches! That's only with one of two limb measures. If you want to add the other limbs, that's 8.5 more inches!

I'm telling you my measurements to show that there's hope that you can get healthy. I have never stayed on a weight loss program this long with the results I've seen. And I'm still going strong!

Now on to how I'm relating this to the title. Ever since I began this journey, I've noticed a change in my clothes, but haven't seen the change when I look in the mirror. I still saw myself as large as I was before. My mind was not letting me see the great changes that were occuring. I was still shopping for the same size I was when I started (I'd try them on and that told a different story), and also saw the never slimming hips and waist. I was really looking for the moment when I noticed the physical change with my eyes and not just feeling it with my clothes. I finally had that moment just two days ago. It was a bittersweet event though, because it had to do with my sister. She is "curvy" like I am, however, she wears it better since she has 5 inches on me. Bitter because she isn't able to take this journey with me the way I'm doing it, but sweet because I finally saw the difference. Standing in front of her I NOTICED that my waist and hips are considerably smaller than they were the last time I spend some quality time with my sister. I hate comparing myself to her, but my sister and I have been similar in weight and size for the last 8 years or so. It's bitter because I'm changing something my sister and I have had in common for so long, it's sweet because my mind has finally conquered my limitation and I SEE FINALLY.