My Birthday Adventure... Dad don't look!!!

Hi Everyone!

As you can tell by the title of my blog, I celebrated my birthday this past Monday! It was one of those "milestone" birthdays... I turned 35!!!

(I promise I will be continuing my "How to lose 100lbs" series... part 2 is almost done.)

I thought this was a great opportunity to show how much of a big deal this birthday was for me.

First, this is the first birthday I have ever had where I've not been overweight! Seriously!

Last year I was about 4 months into my weight loss adventure and I was about 200lbs. Wow... how much can change in a year!!! It just goes to show that time doesn't stop for anyone... you can choose to do something or stay the exact same and time is going to pass regardless.

So a full year later... I'm not celebrating another birthday feeling trapped in my body.

As for all my journeys milestones, Coach Compton (Sandra, Sam, you know who I mean) lol was there.

First, lunch at The Bauer Kitchen... start off with some wine... yes please! why not?! : P

Then a yummy roasted chicken pesto sandwhich with.... yep... sweet potato fries!!! Mmmmmm!!!!

Hey! Sam was right there... it's my birthday! lol

Ok! Lunch is done... here's where things take a BIG turn!!! : D Only read on if you're A) open minded

B) not squeemish and C) not my Dad!!! heheheheeee

Part of this birthday being a milestone was doing something that I have wanted to do for about 10yrs now.

I told myself it would never happen if I was "fat", I would only do it if I felt confident in how I looked.....

Curious?! LOL

DAD... Don't look!!!!

Here it is.... my Chandelier tattoo!!!

Why a chandelier you ask? Well... my name is Crystal... I love ALL things sparkley... and I absolutely LOVE chandeliers!!! It just seems to be something that best represents me : )

Here we go...

I look dead lol

Outline done!

And shading : )

And FINISHED!!!!!! : )

Absolutely in LOVE with it!!!

Honestly, I can't even explain to you all how amazing I felt seeing this in the mirror for the first time! I cried, not cause it hurt.. it did mind you, but I did it!!! I actually DID it!!!!!!! I felt a little silly at the tattoo shop crying AFTER it was done but he didn't seem to mind. lol

It's pretty surreal to me that after wanting something for so long... I finally have it. I have wanted to be fit and in shape and I have been working for over 15 months to get where I am... slowly but surely... but in 3hrs I have gotten something that has taken a lifetime to build the confidence for.

I feel like I've just customized myself : P

Check another thing off the "list"!!!

Up next... what better way to celebrate then dessert! Here is Sidney looking strung out on sugar even before she started!!! Lol Funniest pic ever!!!

All said... an awesome birthday!!! Can't wait til this tattoo heals cause it's wicked itchy today! lol

Til next time...

Tatted up hugs... Crystal : ) xo

How to lose 100lbs... Pt.1

SURPRISE! lol

While many of you who know me or follow me on facebook already know, as of Dec 31 I hit my 100lb weight loss! What a great way to end 2011!!! :D

So as the saying goes... the proof is in the pudding (or oatmeal in my case)...

I cannot even describe to you how I felt seeing this number on the scale. :)
Lets just say there were tears... lots of tears.

I have spent easily 95% of my entire life being overweight, this is the lightest I have been since about grade 7... yes, you read that right. There was a very brief period in grade 9 where I battled with an eating disorder and went down to 105lbs... that accounts for that other 5% of my life.
So when I talk to women (and men) about the struggles of being overweight, I am talking from experience... I HAVE been there and experienced it all. The name calling, low self esteem, rude looks, low self esteem... oh right I said that all ready.
In the end, it was my self esteem that took the beating as much as my body. The feeling of absolute hopelessness... like I was a less valuable person because of my weight. (This was never true but that's how I felt).

To give you an idea of how I felt in my body at 241lbs, I'm going to share a great visual from one of my favourite movies... Wall E!
See how the little people keep getting fatter and their bones more padded? Well the last one one the right is exactly how I felt!!! Extreme? Not to me. Honestly... that's how I felt.

(I apologize for the quality of the screen shot but you get the idea! :P)

I distinctly remember the day I found my calf muscle.... I thought I had a tumor in my leg!!! lol Nope! It's called a muscle... and now I have lots of them!
To be able to feel the definition of my bone structure, muscles etc. underneath my skin still amuses me!!!


So, here is an updated photo for you all...

And now to tackle the "big" questions that I get asked.....

Am I done losing weight now? The answer is no :)

While I am over the moon happy with what I have acheived so far, remember... I am 4' 11". While I know that I look "normal" and even "thin" to those who are used to seeing me, I still have a little bit of weight to drop.

More improtantly... I have toning, strengthening and compacting to do. I have an hour glass shape, I am "curvy" period. I love the look of a feminine shape... (like the curvy ladies in Pitbull videos!!! lol).

The next question... "So you don't have to watch what you eat ALL the time now, right?"
I'm going to answer that by showing you a photo of my breakfast...

Egg whites with salsa, oatmeal with blueberries. lol Were you expectiong chocolate chip pancakes? :P

Seriously though, I am completely happy eating a clean and balanced diet. If I eat something that's "off diet" I make up for it in the gym!


Last question.... "How do I lose (whatever weight)?

Well... first ask yourself if that's what you really want? Sounds silly? Who wouldn't want to lose weight?!
I tried losing weight so many times... too many to count.
It wasn't until I got sick and tired of being sick and tired, that it all started making sense to me. I had to hit absolute physical rock bottom... I was a mess.

So lets stop here for right now... you know how I began and where I currently am.
Consider this homework ;)
Take this time to evaluate how you feel about changing because believe me, it's not easy.
It's a ton of work, it will test all your limits and most of all... it's completely worth it!
Once you've decided... the next step will present itself :)

Til next time...

100lbs lighter (but still big) hugs... Crystal :) xo