My big "announcement is" ....

I MET MY WEIGHT WATCHERS GOAL WEIGHT AT LAST NIGHT'S MEETING!!!
I cannot even believe it. Now that this day is here, I do not think it has fully sunk in yet. I can remember my first weight watchers’ meeting like it was yesterday. I remember walking through the doors of WW for the first time with my head down, I didn't like how I felt and I didn't like how I looked. I let food and my schedule take over my life for far too long and I was unhappy for too many years. However, not today, today is a brand NEW ME. I wake up every morning and am so grateful for the wonderful blessings that I have received over the last 10 months on this journey. I have to say that the #1 thing that got me to where I am today is all of you, these e-mails and my blog. It kept me motivated to look for new recipes, tips and ideas for the WW program.

I wish that I could meet you all in person and personally thank you for the encouragement and motivation that you have given to me. I am truly blessed to have met each of you through WW. I get excited to hear everyone’s stories and how their week went- good or bad. Even though I have reached my goal weight and on my way to becoming a Lifetime Member, I plan to still attending my weekly meetings to make sure I stay on track. It's amazing how fast those old habits come back to haunt us. I was thinking to myself, how can I go and celebrate this big event?? 1st thing that came to my mind was driving down to dairy queen for a blizzard... how funny would that have been :*P.

On Roni's blog this week, she posted the question “What have you gained from your weight loss journey?". There were tons of replies made by other women that hit really close to home for me. I made a list of their answers that fit how I feel about meeting my goal and what I have gained from this wonderful experience.

Finally, I said I would do this when I met my goal, I have attached my before WW and now pictures. Many on this e-mail list I have not met before and some have only seen me 1/2 way through my journey. I don't remember the woman in the before pictures and I plan to NEVER meet her again!! I have to give much credit to my wonderful husband for taking the time to shoot my "now" pictures this evening. I wanted to capture the feeling on the actual day that I met my goal.Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for all the encouragement and motivation you have sent me along the way. I wish there was more that I can say to express how grateful I am.

It can be done!!!

Enjoy and God Bless! ~ Michele
http://www.blogtolose.com/profile/Michele25 - see this blog for my pictures
http://tothepointwwblog.blogspot.com/

· Started to like fruits and veggies· Became less afraid to appear in photos
· Exercise is becoming fun and something to be enjoyed
· Foot pains significantly diminished
· No longer had to shop in plus-sized stores
· Doctor extremely excited and proud about my weight loss
· Fit into an old pair of "skinny" jeans
· Wedding and engagement rings fall
· Parents are extremely proud of me
· Bad cholesterol lowered
· Can wear size "small" (I went from a size 18 to an 8 in 10 months!!)
· Realize I'm more outgoing and self-confident than I've ever been
· Intrinsically believe that there's nothing I can't do
· I've gained an awareness of what I'm putting in my body, and in what portions.
· I've met all kinds of interesting people, both online and at WW meetings, who I now think of as friends
· I have gained energy and a love of fitness
· I have gained more self confidence. Not because I am in a particular size but because I am setting goals and reaching them
· I have gained a knowledge and appreciation of food that is good for me. Food that fuels my body not just tastes good.
· I have gained a sense of purpose. I love doing what I’m doing. I love sharing information and ideas. I feel like I’m doing something I am meant to do and that I love to do.