ONEderland

I find it extremely interesting and slightly ironic that my 100th blog post is about ONEderland.

If you watched season 11 of the Biggest Loser, you have heard of this term, ONEderland, before. If not, allow me to explain it to you.

Definition:

one-der-land (wndr-lnd)* n.: 1) the state of being when one's weight is in the 100s. 2) when the first number on the scale when one is weighing themselves is the number one. 3) the very exciting place one looks forward to being in after being in the 200s for YEARS!

*thefreedictionary.com

YES, i am FINALLY in ONEderland, and it feels oh so good. As of yesterday, I weighed in at 199.0!

As you may have noticed, this is the first time I've shared my actual weight on this blog. I mean, it's not exactly something you shout out from the rooftops. But I feel that now it's important for me to share it because it allows a level of accountability, and even though I'm not at my goal weight yet, I'm so proud of how far I've come and the fact that I'm no longer in the 200s.

Honestly, I have been dreaming about writing this post for a very long time. In the spirit of full disclosure, I hit 199.8 on New Year's Eve, but thanks to a really fun New Year's Eve Party, and my still somewhat unresolved issues with self control as well as the unashamed desire to party it up, I quickly left ONEderland. I plateaued for all of January wavering back and forth between 200 and 201 - it was quite brutal! I've found over my journey that I tend to lose a lot of weight quickly, and then I plateau for a bit, and the cycle continues. (I had lost 10 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Years). But now I'm back, and I'm ready to keep moving in the general direction of SKINNY. :D

I haven't posted in so long because I was waiting to be able to write this post. To be honest, I was embarrassed that it took me so long to get into the 100s when I was so close for so long. I'm planning to be more consistent with writing about my journey because it keeps me accountable. By writing about my journey, it's out there for the world (or whoever actually reads this) to read and there's no going back.

But right now, there's no sulking or would of, should of, could of's, or thinking about how far I still have to go. Right now, in this moment - it's time to celebrate.

Celebrate that I've lost a total of 61 pounds. Celebrate that my relationship with food and exercise is changing. Celebrate the fact that I usually can't find anything to wear because my clothes continue to be too big. Celebrate the fact that I'm down 3 jeans sizes, and I'm almost into a 4th. Celebrate that I'm more educated on nutrition, health, and exercise. Celebrate that I'm in better shape than I have ever been in my teenage and adult life. Celebrate that I jogged for 25 minutes straight (although I haven't yet been able to do it again, ha.) Celebrate that I'm getting healthier and stronger, mentally, physically, and spiritually.

I know I still have a ways to go, about 50 more pounds or so (remember, full disclosure here). But I'm excited. Getting into the 100s has given me a mental boost of energy that I needed to tackle the second half of this journey.

Thank you to all who have encouraged me, supported me, given me advice, or have simply listened to my story from a distance. I can't wait to keep sharing my story as it unfolds.

Mmm - onederland. :D