At this time last year...

Sometimes it's good to look back so that you can see how far you've come.  This past year has been full of ups and downs.  When I speak of ups and downs, I'm talking about that scale that I step on once a week.  Thankfully, I've seen more downs than ups.  I know that the scale doesn't define who I am, but it sure makes me happy when it goes in the right direction!

This was me last Christmas (by this, I mean the Christmas of 2010).  Yes, that's my sweet baby sitting on my lap.  Oh sniffle!  Moving on.  On Christmas Eve 2010 I weighed in and had lost my first 25 pounds.  By New Year's Eve of 2011, I had lost another 75!

Here is a picture from the same party *hubby's work party-that's where the above picture was also taken*.  I had my hubby take this latter picture.  I wanted to see a smile on my face and see the difference that a year has made.  And, what a change it has made!

I've had several people ask if I was at my goal weight yet and to be honest, I'm not quite there yet.  I still have 6.4 pounds left to go.  In the grand scheme of things, that is such a small amount left to lose.  If I get there will I be done?  You know, I wouldn't mind losing a few more besides.  I am beyond thrilled to have come as far as I have.  I've had a lot of help along the way.

Having people in your life that give you a boost when you're down, cheer for you when you've lost...even just 2/10 of a pound, can talk you down when you're about to eat something you really shouldn't, and just give you all around support--they are a huge help!  Maybe you don't have an 'in real life' friend...it might be a cyber-friend that gives you a boost.  I have to say that even though my hubby didn't completely stay the course with me *and lose a few of his own pounds*, he never brought nasty foods into the house to tempt me.  He'd just inhale them before he got in the house.  Ha!  He did try to rearrange his workout schedule so that I could get back into my aerobics class.

I have to say that when I went to a hubby work function where we were saying 'goodbye' to someone, no one could believe how great I looked.  I'm not sure if I embarrassed them by saying, "You know, after nearly 10 years of marriage, it feels good to have your hubby chase after you in the house or pinch your butt when you walk by" or if it was TMI.  Whichever it may be, I'm happy that after 10 years and 3 children, my hubby still stalks me. :)  I make him proud.  When we're out, he's looking to see which other men happen to be checking out his wife, because when it comes down to it, I'm his.  What an amazing feeling that is!

At the end of the day, I'm proud to be his wife and to be wanted more than ever before.