Our Quest to change our lives began in Feb. 2010 and we lost 224 lbs. We slowly gained a lot of that weight back and we're now on another journey for weight loss and better health using Bright Line Eating. This is the story of our continuing Journey. .
(For the fullest effect, begin at the beginning in Feb. 2010 using our Blog Archive on sidebar)

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Week 58 - Did I reach goal YET???

First of all, I want to give my sincerest gratitude to everyone who watched and commented on the video I made (posted below).  I’ve been very touched and overwhelmed with each person’s words of sharing in my joy, relating to my journey, and feeling inspired for their own journey.  I cry every time I watch it still - and when reading your comments!!  Thank you! 

Next big new is:  I reached my goal weight on Sunday!!!  I lost 4 pounds and that is 145 pounds less of me!  I am now 135 pounds!  I’m very excited!  It's quite surreal.  The hubs has maintained his weight this week so that is good.

So what now?   I have a plan already.  I am by no means done.  My plan is to continue the 5 and 1 eating plan through this month.  Then, in April, I will begin the transition plan which will last 4 months.  This plan will have me gradually add in a few food items.  
First Wk:        5 medifast meals
(add veggies)    1 lean & green
1 additional cup vegetables
2nd Wk:          4 medifast meals
(Fruits) 1 lean & green
1 additional cup vegetables
1 medium-size fruit OR 1/2 cup cubed fruit or berries   (WAHOO!!!)
3rd Wk: 4 medifast meals
(Dairy) 1 lean & green
1 additional cup vegetables
1 medium-size fruit OR 1/2 cup cubed fruit or berries   (WAHOO!!!)
1/2 cup low fat or fat free dairy  (COOL!!)
4th Wk +: 3 medifast meals
(Whole Grains)    1 lean & green
1 additional cup vegetables
Additional 4-6 oz. of meat / protein
2 medium-size fruit OR 1 cup cubed fruit or berries   (WAHOO!!!)
1 cup low fat or fat free dairy  (COOL!!)
1 serving of whole grain  (AWESOME!!)


By the end of July, I should be done with my Transition and then I will go into Maintenance.  This is where I will really gauge the calories I need to maintain my weight.  I really like the ideas I’ve gleaned from Suzi at her “My daily Nosh” blog where she posts pics of her meals.  Love it!  Her whole grain waffles look to die for!  And I love how she has berries and nuts.  I’ve learned the key is to have a plan and stick to it!  I also love to get ideas from Karla at “My Daily Thoughts”.  It gives me great visuals for ideas for how I would like to eat when I am out of “weight loss” mode and just wanting to eat good and healthy!  I still am sold on the idea of eating every 3 hours, and I will still suppliment with the Medifast food for meals here and there as it is so healthy, nutritious, and good!

NOW - A Quick recap of the last few days:
Thursday night, I had just finished DJing a wedding and was home at 12:30 am when Brent called.  I totally missed him and was excited to have him fly home the next night.  I was telling him how much I missed his hugs.  We chatted a bit and then he said to come to the front door.  He was THERE at the door!!! He had flown home a day early and surprised me.  BEST SURPRISE EVER!  Kids were in bed... just me and him.  Seriously could NOT stop hugging him.  We spent Friday together.  He made me my medifast waffles all 3 mornings he was home... SO good.  We went shopping and to lunch on Friday and spent the evening home with the kids playing games.
Saturday we went and had a massage together!  How cool is that?  We had a gift card to use which was nice.  My first professional massage ever.  Felt so good.  Then we went roller skating as a family and had invited friends too!  We skated for 3 hours.  (I think angels hang out at skating rinks!!  I don't remember how many falls I avoided)  That was so fun!!  Then later that night, we put on the music and DJ for a church youth dance that our 3 teens attended.  It was a soc hop - we even got them doing the bunny hop!  It was a blast!  We were so tired by the end.
Sunday after church I took him to the airport and dropped him off, only to find later, that all the flights were full (he had a stand by ticket)... so we rented a car and drove all the way straight through to Utah!!  That was last minute random!  Made it in 12 hours.  Good thing it was spring break for the kiddos.  

That did give us one more day together and that was fabulous (although Brent was feeling a little under the weather - hope he gets to recoup!).  I flew home this morning and here I am.  I am so thankful for my life right now... all the hard times and all the sweet times... it’s not so much what happens, it’s more about how we handle it.  I feel more capable and committed to handle obstacles with a smile (if I can) - because Life is So GOOD!!  XOXO ~Margene

22 comments:

Unknown said...

You are SO amazing (I really can't say that enough)!! Congratulations to you and here's to a successful maintaing program. I hope you're Brent is feeling better!

divad said...

Totally amazing transformation! You are one of the most successful weight loss bloggers around. An inspiration and example to us all. Thank you for letting us follow along.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Sweetheart! No one deserves being at goal weight more than you. You've worked hard. And I remember when you hit a plateau and then lost so slowly, but you hung in there--and you've made it to goal!

Again, congratulations, and I wish you well in this transition period.

Deb

Karla said...

OMG!!! OMG!!! OMG!!!

You are a super star!!!

You lost 4 pounds in one week!!! eee gads!!! you are my hero!!!

145 pounds less of you! wow I can't wait for my next visit to Oregon! we soo have to go for coffee!! Congrats!!!

Casey said...

Congratulations!!!!
I am so proud of you!
You have been so positive this whole time I have been following your journey, and I have really enjoyed watching your transformation!
Looking forward to hearing more about the next part of your journey!
Hugs, Casey

Unknown said...

Congratulations on reaching your goal!!! That is such an amazing accomplishment. Thanks for sharing your journey and inspiring so many of us. I look forward to your blog posts every week.

gracies tough journey said...

Praise the Lord! I am so happy for you. You are such an inspiration to me. Hugs Gracie

Lori said...

Congratulations on making your goal! I'm glad you had a good weekend with hubs too. That makes life even more special for you.
Lori

Katie J ♥ said...

It is wonderful to see your hard work and determination pay off Margene! You look fab and should feel on top of the world right now!

Jennifer said...

LOVE this post margene! So glad you are feeling so strong!

Sarah said...

Yea, yea, yea for you!!! So excited for you that you reached your goal!!

Sarah
notaneffingdiet.blogspot.com

Tammy and Mike said...

Congratulations!!! You look fantasticly super-duper beautiful in your dress! Way to GO! (What a wild weekend you have had!)

Cody Echtermeyer said...

You look amazing!!! Great job!

Bring Pretty Back said...

I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
HAPPY FOR YOU!
CONGRATULATIONS!
You look so PRETTY!
Have a pretty day!
Kristin

Julie said...

YEAH!!!! I am so proud of you Margene. You just rock my world with all you've done. Thank you for teaching me so much.
Take care my friend. God Bless!!!

Nancy B. Kennedy said...

Congratulations! I am so happy for you! (Love the party dress with the boots, BTW...) Enjoy the new you!

Unknown said...

CONGRATS CONGRATS CONGRATS!! How exciting!!

What an inspiration!! Good luck on the next steps of the journey & keep up the INCREDIBLE work!!

jsh said...

You are amazing...CONGRATS on reaching your goal! I love to see a great success story like you!
Wishing you all the best with the next step....maintaining...sounds like you have a great plan in the works.... I hope to follow in your footsteps... so very happy for you!

Pretty Pauline said...

WOOHOOO! That's an inspiration!

Natalia said...

Congratulations!!!!!!! That. Is. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WWSuzi said...

HUGE hugs and congratulations!!

Retta said...

I've all wrapped up in myself lately, so missed out on the celebration of you reaching your goal.

So I want to tell you now... how wonderful for you!! CONGRATULATIONS! It really is an amazing change, and I love the way you did the photos. So visually dramatic. I am so happy for you!!

Loretta
=^..^=