Lenten Challenge

Yesterday was the beginning of what is usually one of my favorite months! I love March. St. Patty's Day, spring beginning to show signs, spring break, etc. Instead I spent an hour shoveling our driveway, because we had 6 inches of snow dumped on us! yay!

Since Lent begins on Wednesday I decided to start my Lenten Sacrifice a little early. Its not like anyone around here can make a decent Paczki anyway. I am giving up red meat, cheese, any processed food (this does not include homemade bread, as long as it is unbleached, whole wheat), sugar and sugar substitutes. This means no more mid after noon runs to the vending machine for peanut-butter m & m's, no more pop, no granola bars, desserts. I am limited to fruit, veggies, chicken/fish, rice, and quinoa. It is going to be very interesting to see how this next 7 weeks go. I thought I would include a few picures of my weight fluctuation over the years. Don't laugh.

October 2007. Thor (my son) was 1 and I was 3 weeks away from giving birth to our daughter B.E.A.N. I weighed in at the hospital at a whopping 285 lbs.

March 2008. 4.5 Months after the birth of our daughter. Pretty sure I weighed about 220 lbs. here.

April 2009. I was probably about 165 lbs here. It took 3 months of Army Basic Training and running 8-10 miles a day to maintain this. I know I have distorted body image issues now. Because, when I looked like this I never once felt thin, or sexy. All I saw was that my boobs shrank, and I has loose saggy skin on my tummy, along with hideous stretch marks.

June 2010. My 30th Birthday! I was about 180 lbs here. I felt fat, and uncomfortable all night.

December 2011 - I was holding fast at 180 lbs, and could barely get my uniform buttoned for this night. I was still passing my body fat tests so I wasn't too concerned. But I didn't feel good about the way I looked or how my clothes fit.

July 2012. Post Army, I gained about 25-30 lbs. I was tipping the scales over the big deuce again and trying to figure out my life in the civilian world, being a full time mom again.

December 2012 - I loathe this picture. I thought I looked ok, until I saw this. I know a lot of money was spent on this photographer, but I refuse to have any of these photos in my house. I decided to start loosing weight for my best friend's wedding that would be in September.

September 2013. I had joined weight watcher for the summer and lost about 20 lbs. I was still weighing in at around 190 lbs. but I felt a little better. Then the winter from hell hit. I gained more weight this winter than should be legal. I am determined to shed the unwanted pounds and become the fit, amazing looking me that I was in 2009.