“Countdown to a Better Me!! Weight Loss Help!!!”

Well...where to start. I am 33 years old. I am the proud mother of 5 beautiful daughters. 14,11,7,6, and 3. My husband says he has it pretty good, he is always surrounded by beautiful girls:) I was always very athletic and healthy while in my teens. I was never skinny really, but strong and fit. Then, I started having children young and that youthful strong body was gone. 5 kids in about 10 years has taken it's toll.

I know that you can have children and stay fit. But, unfortunately I just didn't. 2011 was the hardest year of my life. My mother died in 2010 and it was quite a blow. She lived with us and was so close to my children and me. After that I feel like I was on auto pilot. At the beginning of 2011 I looked up and didn't like what I saw. I was depressed and was trying to eat my pain away. My marriage was suffering and I had lost the person I used to be.

Have you ever looked up and thought, "How did I get here?" I was 235 pounds and felt hopeless. But, I am thankful that I know the ONE who gives hope to the hopeless. I began to take some serious time to look at my life. Inside and out. I realized that I didn't value myself. I spent all my time trying to "serve" my family and never took any time for myself. I didn't realize that taking time for and loving myself only made me a better mom and wife. So I began the journey to becoming the best me I could be.

I began walking...a lot. As the summer of 2011 got here I was walking 3 or 4 miles a day. I was using that time to think and reflect. I then started to change my eating habits and the weight began coming off slowly. By the time I went back to work in August I was down to 198. I found as I lost weight my stomach actually looked worse. That was a bit disheartening. But I have known for years I wanted to get a TT.

But I have also known that I would have to lose a substanial amount of weight before. Now that I have lost 37 pounds I can see the end in sight. My goal is to be down to 170-175 before my surgery. I had my first consult on Jan. 20. I went really well. I loved my PS. I loved having a woman for my PS. She spent 1.5 hours with me explaining everything, answering all my questions, and I never felt rushed.

Originally I planned to have the surgery around spring break. After thinking about it I felt that was rushing things. I am just sooooo eager!!!!! But, I am going to wait until the end of May. I have summers off, so I will have as much time as I need to recover. My plan is to have a full TT and a breast lift. I have some pretty serious muscle seperation at the top of my stomach and so much lose skin and stretch marks. I have been reading all the stories on here for months. I figured it was time to get on. I am excited, nervous, scared and impatient. The wait seems like forever. I just want to spend every day between now and then becoming as healthy as I possibly can.

Updated on 17 Feb 2012:
Well, I got some disappointing news this week. The money that we had planned for the surgery is now possibly not going to come in. I am so disappointed. My husband assured me that we will save and make it happen, which is so sweet. But...I really felt good about it before because the money was just extra. Now, the thought of me taking our expendable money and using it for this makes me feel selfish. I am not sure what to think. I know that I want to do this soo bad. But I don't want to feel guilty about it forever. Ladies, did you feel guilty?

Updated on 21 Feb 2012:
Well, after my disappointing news I felt sorry for myself for a few days...I'm done now. I decided that this is what I want and I will do what it takes to get it. So, I am back on my workout/eating healthy plan. I am just going to continue on like it is still going to happen on May 29th. I am believing that a way will be made. I'm not taking no for an answer:)

Updated on 24 Feb 2012:
Well I moved my date up to May 22nd. This will give me some time to recover before all my little girls are home for the summer. I also have a midway appointment on April 11th. This is a very good thing. I need dates to keep me focused. My goal is to weigh 188 by this date. And then I would like to be in the 170's, even if it is 179 by my pro-op which is May 9th. It feels like it is taking forever and coming too fast...does that make any sense??

And...I have had some things open up in the $$$ department. I just feel like it is going to happen. I will keep you updated. Any other May mommy makeover's getting ready??

Updated on 29 Feb 2012:
I just thought I would post a few more before pictures...as much as I don't want to. I hate the way, because of the muscle seperation, the top sticks out so far. Looking forward to not looking pregnant:)

Updated on 29 Feb 2012:
Oh, I just thought I would post a pic with my spanx on. They really can hide a lot. But I am tired of hiding...

Updated on 5 Mar 2012:
Spent Thrusday-Sunday in Austin at the Girl's State Basketball Tourney, with the hubby and our two oldest girls. So I spent 4 days eating nachos and popcorn from the consession stand...UGH! I am up at least 5 pounds. I hate it when I sabatoge myself. So, I was up at 4:30 this morning to make it to my 5am workout. I have my "halfway" point appoinemt on April 11th. I really need to be down 14 pounds, at least, before then. If you think of me throw up a little prayer and any advice is welcome!!!