Spring:Time for renewal, Time for change....

Oh my! It has been almost two weeks since I posted -- I am so sorry! Rest assured, though, I am sticking to it -- whole-heartedly! I have been walking between 3 and 3.5 miles every day, and walking faster as time goes on, too. I feel great!

I have lost 25 lbs total (actually, a bit more, but since I don't "officially" weigh in again until next Tuesday, we will leave it at 25). Hoorah for me! the best part is that I dropped a size. That is probably really the best thing...

We went to Virginia for Easter to see my sister. I had nothing to wear, so I "forced" my sister to go shopping with me (She is the BEST shopping partner in the entire universe!). I tried on a size smaller than usual, and you know what? The VERY FIRST dress I tried on fit -- and it happens to be the one I have on, above. Don't you just LOVE it when that happens?

Now, the renewal thing. I got my haircut this week. I thought that since I was shedding pounds, a little hair could go, too. I think a good haircut renews the soul, don't you? First, here is a picture of my family taken on Easter:

Now, this is my new haircut....oh, don't you just love self-portraits? LOL -- This is hard to do!

Note to self when taking a self-portrait in the bathroom mirror (um, I kind of struggled with this!!!):

• Don't chew gum and snap the shot.
• Look at the lens.
• Don't take pictures of the bathroom lights.
• Shut the closet door behind you so that no-one can see your mess!
• Look at the lens...
• Untangle the dog from your legs.
• Look at the lens (sigh)

Not the best shot, but you get the idea. Hey! I feel lighter!

I just want to say thank you again to those of you who send me emails...really, I am more motivated every day by your emails and kind words. Thank you for looking over my shoulder and encouraging me, friends!

Now, how are you doing this week?

What tips your scale?

Sorry I haven't posted in the last week. I have been faithful to my diet, though. I was a bit depressed last Monday when I weighed in -- I GAINED 1/2 lb. Sigh. I think that the alcohol over the weekend -- although it was NOT excessive, and certainly I had points to share -- killed me. This weekend, I was virtuous -- even through a Superbowl party at my house -- and I lost the 1/2# plus more! I am now down 12 lbs total. Thirty Days, twelve pounds. Not too bad!

I was thinking about what "tips my scale." What I mean by that is: What is the thing that got me off my big behind and got me moving to lose weight? I know what did it...

A few weeks ago, I posted a layout here titled "just me". If you scroll down you can see it. I had quite a few comments --on and off the blog -- that I didn't look "that bad." Let me tell you, that was NOT the zenith of my weight! That picture was taken in July and I put weight on since then.

What tipped the scale for me is the picture below. This is a picture taken in October with my brother when he and his wife visited from Chicago. My SIL sent it to me after Christmas via email. Now, I know I have ALOT of layers on -- but still, not THAT many. The biggest layer is my own skin!! If the lens sees me this way, other people do, too.

Before you look, understand that posting this picture is HARD. It is facing up to the mirror. The inner picture I have of myself does NOT look like this. My tipping point was when I faced up to the fact that I DO look like this -- or at least I did 12 pounds ago! : )

Okay, look now. Then YOU tell ME what YOUR tipping point was. I know many of you are following this journey and joining in...

OUCH.