After a really difficult plateau last month, where I barely scraped by with any weight loss (4 pounds? I think!), I finally hit several milestones. I’ve lost more than 20% of starting weight and I’m down 45 pounds! It has sometimes been hard-earned weight loss. It has been frustrating! I’ve felt like I am not making progress as quick as I’d like.

Through it all, however, I keep on going! Even when it’s difficult and frustrating, I keep on going! It has helped so much to have the accountability 5 days a week at Lindora. They’ve helped me find hidden mistakes I’ve made, they’ve encouraged me, they’ve taught me about the science of weight loss and to keep on trucking along, no matter what the scale has said. They’ve taught me to look at other signs I’m on the right track—like inches lost, or fitting into clothes I’ve never fit in, or haven’t fit into in a long while.

I’m down to a weight I haven’t seen in about 10 years or so and the scale is still moving! Unbelievably awesome! I currently have not one single item of clothing I can’t fit into and I bought a two piece bathing suit for the first time in many years!

When I look in the mirror lately, I hardly believe what I see! I see a different person! Someone that has transformed into someone new! I am stronger, leaner, but mostly importantly, much more confident! I have been running a lot lately. I’ve been running a 10 mile long run on the weekends, in preparation for the La Jolla Half Marathon, then, I’ve been running 3-5 other shorter, faster runs during the week. I’ve seen myself get much faster and that is building even more confidence.

When others see me, they have been reassuring me with their compliments everywhere I go! I get complimented all the time now, because the transformation is difficult to deny! I feel fantastic with this weight loss and the fact that others notice too, is really boosting my confidence and motivating me to finish what I’ve started!

I just signed up for the Tinkerbell Half Marathon at Disneyland on Mother’s Day. I’ve always wanted to do this race! It has been on my short list of half marathons to complete for years! I’ve always missed the deadline to register, or it has been too expensive (and it’s an expensive race! Damn Disney!). This time, however, the universe came together for me to run the event with a charity that I fully support: Racing for Orphans with Down Syndrome. I’m so excited to be a part of this group and to run this race! It’s going to be so much fun!

It’s been a crazy ride, this past 5 months! Nevertheless, to lose 45 pounds in 5 months and completely change my life has been AMAZING! I feel like my life has changed so much in the past two years! Two years ago, I was overweight, I was frustrated, I was dealing with debilitating anxiety, and I had given up all hope of running, losing weight, and doing all the things that are now part of my life. I’m so grateful that this little life of mine, step-by-step, day-by-day, little changes have added up to these phenomenal life changes. I love my life now! It’s really an incredible transformation!

I am so thankful for the opportunity I’ve had to work with Lindora. 6 months ago, I had no hope. When I was offered the opportunity to try Lindora, I had no idea how life changing it was going to be. I was desperate and ready to try extreme measures to lose weight. Thankfully, I haven’t had to do anything drastic and I’ve truly learned how to be “Lean for Life.” I am looking forward to losing the rest of this weight and finally reaching my goals!

Disclosure: I have been offered a 10 weeks with Lindora, in exchange for sharing my personal opinions and experiences with Lindora. All opinions are my own. I only share information about products, companies, and services I believe will be helpful for my readers. I’m losing weight and following the plan on Lindora and loving it!

This week has been a doozy! Wow! What a struggle! I gained and lost the same three pounds all week long! This Fitness Friday celebrates perseverance, for sure! I’m losing inches, but the weight loss slowed a little bit. My stats?

Weight Loss to date:

Since my first consultation: -13 pounds

Since starting the Lindora program: -10 pounds

There has been a ton on non-weight loss victories on this journey. My clothes are fitting me better. I have more energy. I’m losing inches. My self-confidence has improved, because I know I am doing good things for my health and well-being. I was getting discouraged over the Thanksgiving weekend. Despite my best efforts in both exercise and diet, the scale didn’t move for several days. In fact, it bounced up, then came back down, then back up. Fortunately, one of the nurses at Lindora talked me off the ledge and reminded me of all the GOOD that was happening. It’s hard to put down the stick, when you’re so used to beating yourself up with it!

Thanksgiving was wonderful! We went to my parent’s house in my hometown and had Thanksgiving. It was difficult to stay on my diet plan, but I somehow managed to do it! I did make sure I was prepared before I went and that helped so much. The Friday after Thanksgiving, we went to Knott’s Berry Farm with the family. I packed a lunch, so I wouldn’t be tempted by the boysenberry stuffed churros that I have fallen head over heels in love with. I managed to do it! It wasn’t even as difficult as I thought it would be!

Sunday, something magical happened! I ran 6.5 miles! 6.5 miles! I did it! I couldn’t believe it! I planned out a 6 mile run and ended up going over by a half mile. I took my little Layla dog out with me on my run and we had perfect weather for a beautiful run around the neighborhood. There were plenty of hills to challenge me and I met the challenges with enthusiasm! I’m seeing my pace improve, my stamina improve, and my confidence soar!

I just upgraded my RunKeeper for half off on Cyber Monday, so now I can see beautiful graphs of my progress, make goals, and it is so much fun! It is one of my very favorite apps to keep me motivated on a run. I have it set-up to tell me when I’ve reached each mile marker and every 5 minutes it tells me my distance and my pace. I love my RunKeeper app!

This journey I’m on is so exciting! It’s challenging, but I think I am finally ready to really put the effort in to get the results I want. It has been so helpful to go to my daily Lindora check-in 5 days a week. I feel like I have accountability and can’t get away with cheating on this diet. I mean, cheating on the diet only cheats me anyway.

Disclosure: I have been offered a 10 weeks with Lindora, in exchange for sharing my personal opinions and experiences with Lindora. All opinions are my own. I only share information about products, companies, and services I believe will be helpful for my readers. I’m losing weight and following the plan on Lindora and loving it!

What’s your favorite app that keeps you on track with your health and fitness?