See this beautiful picture of my boys and I taken at Horseshoe Bend in Page, AZ (Lake Powell)? We ran down to the bend, and it’s a good jaunt from the parking lot, to make it at sunset. It was breathtaking. The sun setting, happy children, warm weather, the river running below, blackberry in my lap (?).
But when I look at this photo I can’t get beyond what’s missing to SEE the beauty in it…
My cheekbones and clavicles.
My cheekbones and clavicles are missing.
In the past two years I have let myself go, I have put on 30-35 lbs of weight. And while that might not seem like much to some people, that is 20% of my body weight!!! (Please don’t do the math.) I’m 5’3″ so when I have an extra 30 lbs my cheekbones and clavicles go into hiding. And they’ve done it oh so successfully.
Over those two years I’ve dabbled in just about every weight loss program I could read about. I bought P90X and Brazil Butt Lift. And while both of those work they fricking hurt. So after a few weeks I’d give up. I tried the flexible eating programs and I’m just not strong enough mentally to maintain willpower for more than 12 hours. Okay, 2 hours.
But here’s the thing, before I started every single program it was for a reason. I had a trip coming up. I needed to do a presentation in front of a group. I was going to a blogging conference. Going to the grocery store. Dinner with my bf. Just being in public became a motivation at some point because I’m so embarrassed to be seen in public… I was always going to lose weight so that when {insert important event here} came around I would look great.
It never worked. Ever. I always failed and it always depressed me even more because, let’s face it, failure sucks. Hence the reason my cheekbones and clavicles have gone deeper and deeper into hiding as time goes by. Ordering that fried pickle appetizer sure eased the pain. And then compounded it. I know you know what I mean!
Since January of this year I have been working on myself. Finding me. Being me. Liking me. Coming to terms with me. Because sometimes that gets lost, very lost. (Kind of like my clavicles.) Because I need to be able to give 100% of myself instead of just broken pieces.
About one month ago I started walking every evening that I could. I’m talking a 3+ mile walk each night. It was so peaceful and gave my brain time to begin getting to know me. Well, as it turns out my walks have turned more into something I love to do so that I can take pictures of pretty scenery while I’m out walking. The lighting is just perfect right before the sun sets and I have really enjoyed watching the seasons change.
At the same time I was watching Jessica (The Unemployed Mom) drop the lbs like I don’t know what. But she lost 39 lbs in 13 weeks y’all with Medifast!! I met Jessica last year at the eBay On Location event that was held in Orlando, FL and I began following her blog then. After she wrote this post right here (note the clavicle!) in April I e-mailed her about Medifast. I told her about my struggles. What I had failed at, where my mindset is – I AM READY TO DO THIS – and while clearly losing weight on the program is possible I asked her about the food. Did the food taste alright? Was it enough? Because I can’t do a tiny morsel of food if it doesn’t take good. She responded with only good things.
So I began seriously thinking about the program. (And stalking Medifast.) I got brave one night and contacted them directly. I don’t like to talk about my weight let alone ask for help! And frankly if I’m going to reach out and ask for something I’d damn well better be ready to do this! But I did and I am so very, very excited to announce that I have been accepted into the Medifast blogger program.
And I’ma do this thing!
I have a goal of losing 31 lbs. I hope to do that in three months, but the goal is 31 lbs not three months. I placed the order for my first month of food last week and I am waiting very impatiently for it to arrive.
Stay tuned while I provide weekly cheekbones and clavicles updates. I’m not quite brave enough to post more recent photos, but as the weight comes off – I will! I promise. I might even post measurements and weight numbers.
I know that this whole weight issue touches a nerve with so many people out there. I asked the question on facebook the other night about weight and oh my gosh, it got 60 likes. I’m going to be very real with my struggles and I hope that I can count on you for support. I would love to help support you too!
Let’s do this!
PS I also signed up for my very first 10k, the BolderBoulder! Which will be happening on Memorial Day Monday in Boulder, CO. It’s a huge event here and I’m so, so excited to be WALKING it. My 16 year old is even going to do it with me!!! Make sure you follow me on facebook to catch my updates and probably many desperate pics and pleas for encouragement!
You can find my weekly progress here:
Week 1: -2 lbs
Week 2: 0 lbs
Week 3: -3 lbs
Week 4: -2 lbs
Month 1: -7 lbs
Week 5: -2 lbs
Week 6: – 3 lbs
6 week total: -12 lbs
Medifast has a great customer savings program. If you use my coupon code, BUDGET56, and sign up for Medifast Advantage when you order $250+, you’ll receive 56 free Medifast Meals and free shipping! Medifast Advantage has a lot of perks, including free customizable meals and a free BlenderBottle® with minimum purchase.
For your first order of $250+, use my code, and enroll in Medifast Advantage to receive 28 free meals. Do the same on your next order and you’ll receive ANOTHER 28 free meals! This offer is only valid if you enroll in Medifast Advantage, and it’s limited to one per customer. It’s not valid with prior purchases, any other promotions or discounts, or for Medifast Ready-to-Drink Shakes. Check out Medifast’s website for complete details on program and discounts.
Disclosure: I receive free product in order to evaluate and comment on my experiences on the Medifast Program. Medifast products and the Medifast Program are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness. Any medical improvements noted while on the program are related to weight loss in general, and not to Medifast products or programs.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Cheering you on!
Meet the challenge face to face. You can do this.
I am so excited for you. I love medifast. I have Lost 20#s on Mf, but I didn’t do maintenance and It all came back and then some. I hope you didn’t do the &1500 contract as you can do it on your own and get the support from the Mf website, many bloggers. I have recently placed my order, its easy. Good luck!
I share your pain. After losing much of my baby weight, I gained it all back after Katrina flooded our house and have slowly crept higher since. It’s frustrating. My son has ADHD which translates into the need to monitor every little thing making it virtually impossible to stick to much of anything. I’d love to try the Medifast…but it’s definitely out of the budget for me. Good luck! I know you will do well!
I’m proud of you! And I know that you can do it!
By the way… I lost my cheekbones & clavicles too.