Friend of Julie: One Year

Where to start. So many thoughts are going through my head! How about this.....I have a new life.

Size 2X/20 in June 2011             Size 8 in June 2012

And I have Julie Ann Kibe to thank--and one other person, who I will get to in a minute. Well, there are others, and I could go on and on, but I am trying to condense this!

Today is the one year anniversary of my journey on the path that introduced me to Julie. If anyone had told me that in one year I would be where I am, I would have seriously doubted it.

In one year, so much has changed, and I think it has been all positive. One year ago, I was totally out of control, drinking too much, eating too much, never exercising, etc. etc. My doctor was concerned about my blood pressure, my sugar levels, my lack of exercise, blah blah blah. Nothing was positive. I just was going through the motions. Eat whatever, whenever, who cares. I mean, what else is there?

That's what I thought. I agreed with someone who said "it is easier to continue on than it is to change things. Change is hard. It means you have to work."

My dear friend Susan was in a rut as well, overweight, trying this diet and that diet, struggling. When she heard about Julie, she made the phone call. Got in to see her, and she changed before my eyes. So, I got her number, called her, waited for the phone call, and jumped at the chance when Julies lovely receptionist called me.

After waiting (and seeing Susan do so well), I went. (I know some of you have stated that there are too many pictures on this blog, but, please humor me as a few friends have really wanted me to put a before and after picture on this blog. I truly only do this as inspiration for those of you who need it.)

The picture I am posting below is the picture Susan took of me after she so kindly showed me how to get to Julies office after work one day, and then we went out to eat. It was 2 weeks before my first visit with Julie. Months later, she showed it to me, and I was aghast.....

Jennifer in size 2X/20

Yuck. I never want to look like that again! 2x, size 20, whatever you want to label it as.....

Don't think that doing any kind of weight loss is easy. It isn't. But, I can honestly say that Julie's hypnosis made the food stop talking to me. And the alcohol. I decided that drinking was not going to work because it can make you want to eat. That picture was my last drink. I thought that would be hard, but it wasn't.

Change number one! I had energy! I wanted to move! I soon wasn't bloated and tired all the time. Change number two!

Six months later. Christmas time. Goodies all the time at work. Susan and I just let everyone else eat them. We knew what it tasted like! Didn't need to try any of it again. Change number three!!!!! Wow! Change can be good! And worth it! Change is work, but change is possible!

By now, I was close to where I wanted to be, a size 8, and I don't have any newer pictures other than the ones taken at the Christmas party. Believe me, we ate, because our Office Manager, Katrina, looked out for us. Ordered food for everyone at the event, but listened to our needs, and we had a great time! Katrina is also the one who photographed us.....

Susan and Jennifer at annual Christmas Party in December

Katrina also took this photo of my number one supporter, my rock, my love......

My number one supporter: my husband

So, there you go. Inspiration (I hope) to those who need it.

I have never once looked back. I only hope that this path I am on continues, no, scratch that....I am going to continue and use the tools I have incorporated into my life to help me during times that are negative. Believe me, I have had them.

I have learned to not use a negative event to say "I feel bad, so I am going to eat this". I say, "I have worked too hard to get to where I am, that this piece of food is SO NOT WORTH IT!! (That is the greatest change of all...) I am choosing not to use food as a crutch, to use it only for fuel.

I saw Julie again in January 2012 and I asked her to help me go down one more size. Soon after, I made size 6 (in February), and have started introducing potato into my diet. Not a lot! Just a little.

I do enjoy what I eat, and I am happy to follow Julies "enjoy the river, jump over to the carb side every now and again, then right back in the river" recommendation.

And I exercise! Me! The one who was as sedentary as they come! I use my marked ribbon to make sure that if I go up a bit, then, back into the river I go. Someday, when I am ready, I will try some popcorn or fruit. Or a piece of chocolate. But, I honestly don't want it. Not yet.

For once in my life, I am in control. And I am happy. The past year means a lot to me.

Thank you to Julie, and Susie, and hubby Richard, and everyone else who has allowed me this freedom. And many thanks to Miss Theresa, who started this blog.

My tears tonight are happy tears.  

Thank you, thank you, thank you.