I stay motivated because I get to see "behind the scenes" to what is going on with so many of you guys. I get to read the emails, I get to cry with you when you are so excited that more weight has come off, and that is what keeps me motivated. Many times the writer of the emails to not want their email to be shared....however, lately it seems like more and more are willing to let me share. I am glad because I think if you can continue to see "behind the scenes" then you can also stay motivated. I think it is neat because this helps you to remember that 70 (yes its 70 now!) other people are doing this same thing with you! This email is from Deanna, she has been with the challenge a while now.....I didn't edit it, I just copied and pasted. She also shares some good pictures!
Tanna,
I know you've already posted about our new t-shirts, but I wanted to send you a before and after pic of me since I was thinking about it! They aren't direct shots of me, but I really didn't let people take pictures of me if I had a choice.
When I was growing up I was always fit looking. Always maintained a healthy weight and was around 118 pounds at 5'5" in high school. I went to the gym, went swimming, and ate relatively healthy. When I went to college I gained about 8 pounds my first year just cause I wasn't as active....but I was still feeling pretty good about myself. I met my husband in College Station, TX when going to school at Texas A&M. We got married in 2006 but stayed there another year before we moved to Lubbock so that he could attend Texas Tech. I graduated in 2007, then we moved to Lubbock. I don't know what it was about that particular move, but as soon as we moved there it was like instantly the weight packed on.
I'll admit, I was a little depressed about leaving my favorite city and all of my college memories. That doesn't excuse the lifestyle change. I was suddenly letting myself eat ice cream (almost daily) and eating three or four pieces of pizza hut pizza. On top of that, I started to work full time at an elementary school, where I didn't move around as much as I did as a student (walking all over campus all day). In fear of the obvious, I didn't weigh myself until I had to go to the hospital that fall because of pneumonia...unrelated to the weight issues, but it was a dreaded trip to a scale. I could not believe what it said. I know that for some it might not seem like a whole lot, but weighing around 125 most of your adult life and then seeing 152 on the scale...well let's just say I was so disappointed in myself.
I didn't gain any more weight after that, but I didn't lose any either. After moving to west Texas I developed Adult onset Asthma, which made working out a million times harder, so I thought...what's the point??!! I felt so tired all the time and stressed because of life in general. I started my Master's degree in Jan. 2008, and at the same time working full time as a teacher. Life was hectic. I'm not gonna throw myself a pity party and tell you how hard it all was because it made me stronger. I made it through our time there and became closer to my husband. We really had to rely on eachother and make it work financially...it was pretty tough. So fast forward until April 2009. I still weighed the same, feeling just as crappy. My friend Laura B. (who is also doing the challenge) told about the challenge like two days before it started. I decided, what the hey? I'll see what happens. In the first 6 week challenge I lost 11 pounds, and in the second I lost 8. I need about 10 more pounds to go to get to my goal weight of 123, but even if I stay where I am I would be happy. I feel so much more alive...like I've been in a fog for the past 2 years. I'm not tired all the time anymore and I acutally get a stomach ache if I even drink a little soda or one brownie. My entire body has changed! I love it. I still have a little to go, like I said, but I really think this next challenge will get me there.
This challenge is nothing more than simply doing what's right for your body, but Tanna you've reached me in a way that has given me the inner strength to stay accountable and do the work. Like you said, it's all about being consistent and not giving up when you fall down.
Anyways, I know many of the other girls have given you their story, and while mines not that interesting, I wanted to share it with you and let you know how much you mean to me. I am super busy and I don't always comment or reply to all of the emails, even tho I read every one of them....so I thought I would take the time to share some of me with you.
So, I attached some pics of before the challenge began and me in my pink shirt....19 pounds lighter!!!
Love you girl!!
Deanna
Here is Deanna's before picture....
And her after...not sure why the bottom half is coming up green but you can still see her wonderful results!! Doesn't she look fantastic in her challenge shirt?!!!
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