About Moi

About Moi
My Name is Brittany, and I'm 23yrs old. I was diagnosed with Lupus when I was 15, and then diagnosed with RA, when I was 18. I also got married when I was 18, and I'm enjoying my happily ever after with my hubby! When I got married, I was slim and trim...But not for long. After getting married, I started to gain a LOT of weight! In 1yr, I gained 50lbs! Finally, I went to the Doctor, where I discovered I have low thyroid. After being put on medicine, my weight gain slowed down, although over the next 3yrs, I gained an additional 26lbs. When I was 20yrs old, I got yet another diagnoses of Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome. That's 4 diagnoses in a 5yr period, if you lost count. They all effect my weight, in one way or another. Add on top of that, my love affair with food, and every 1 of those 76lbs gained was accounted for. Being 76lbs over weight is unhealthy for anyone, but it was especially unhealthy for me, and my health issues. Since starting this blog, in Jan-2010, I have lost 40lbs! I'm a new, slimmer, and healthier me! Before losing weight, I was told I needed knee replacements. Losing weight was the ONLY tool I had to help me hold off on that life changing surgery. Since losing 40lbs, my knees have never felt better! My husband and I are also trying to start a family, but my PCOS was not going to make it as easy as 1,2,3, as I didn't have periods on my own. My doctor had told me if I wanted a baby, I HAD to lose weight. Since losing 40lbs, I've had regular cycles for the first time in my life! Which is very important when trying to have a baby ;) This journey of mine is more than me simply wanting to wear skinny jeans. It has been a quest to becoming :Deliciously Healthy, so ALL of my dreams can come true! I'm almost half way there! With each new day, I get closer and closer to my goal of 120lbs, and becoming :Deliciously Healthy!

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Today was a Good Day

Today, something seemed to be in the air. Spring?... Whatever it is, it has me in a joyful mood!

Today, I had the perfect lunch, and I just had to share it with you!

While my father-in-law was here, he went on and on about how good a grape and tuna fish sandwich was! As Joe and I gave him funny looks, he would say, "Don't diss it, before you try it!" He had actually bought all the stuff to make it, but we never got around to it. So, today as I was raiding the fridge and pantry, trying to find something for lunch that hit the spot, I couldn't get my father-in-law's voice out of my head.

"What the heck Brittany. You only live once." I told myself.

So, out came the whole wheat bread, the canned tuna (in water), the low-fat mayo (gross. If I had low-fat plain yogurt I would have used that. I just used a tiny tiny bit), the already chopped onion I had left over from tacos, and the grapes.

I chopped up the grapes, mixed everything together, and put together my sandwich. I gave myself an extra side of grapes, then let out a sigh, "Here goes nothing." I took a bite.
"Oh my gosh! This is so good!" Light bulb moment: "This is blog worthy!"
I rushed to grab the camera, took a couple pics, and sat down to enjoy my YUMMY
Grape and Tuna Fish Sandwich
!!"Don't diss it, before you try it!" ;D
Seriously. It's pretty darn good folks. The grapes add the perfect sweetness!
Calories:
About 220, not including the extra side of grapes.


After lunch, and some cleaning around the house, I finally sat down to see how everybody was doing in blogland.
I clicked on over to CBG blog, and saw that she was hosting a
photo comparison challenge! You take a picture of yourself today, and compare it to a picture of you at your heaviest. Then you compliment yourself on the changes you've made!!

It's hard to compliment myself, or to even see the difference between me at 206, and me at 180. Sometimes I convince myself that I'm exactly the same. This challenge was a great way to help me see the progress I've made, and give myself a pat on the back!!

Here it goes! :

Before picture:
(February 2007)This isn't actually me at my heaviest. I was about 190-195 (my heaviest was 206). This was either right before or soon after I found out I had low thyroid, and got put on low thyroid meds. And it's before I found out I had PCOS. It's pretty weird that I'm only about 10 pounds lighter now, then I was in these pictures. Back then I was bloated, and my hormones were all out of whack. This was a very painful time for me. I gained 50lbs in 1 year. I didn't know what the heck was going on. All I knew, was I was fat, unhappy, and embarrassed. I refused to meet new people, and to be honest, I didn't go out of the house much. I never wanted a picture taken of me. The only reason I have these pictures, is because it was valentines day, and my husband insisted on getting a picture of his beautiful wife, on v-day. I love my husband so much for loving me during that time, and still telling me I was beautiful each and every day. Gosh I'm lucky.

Today's Picture:I see quite a big physical change. My chubby cheeks aren't so chubby. I don't have as much acne now (glad that's gone!). And I have a bit more of a jawline!!

But the true changes I see, go way past my physical appearance.
For one, I'm posing for the camera, and I was actually having a fun little photo shoot (in my bathroom;). I actually feel pretty enough to snap away with the camera! I feel worthy enough to be apart of the world (although I'm realizing now that I was always worthy...).

Looking at my before pictures, reminds me of all the struggles, heartache, and confusion I had back then.

Today I'm happy.
I can see it in these pictures, and I can feel it.
I'm taking charge of my life, and my health. I'm no longer confused, and feel like I have no control over what the heck my body is doing. I'm in control. I'm on one of the most wonderful journeys. Everyday I wake up, I know I'm getting closer and closer to my happy ending, and that fills my heart with excitement, and hope, each and every day. Two things I did not have, in my before picture!
Today, I'm :Deliciously Healthy! And man it feels good!!

12 comments:

Bella said...

You're beautiful inside and out and I can see quite a difference between both photos, too. What a fun contest! If my blog weren't semi-anonymous, I'd join in on the fun.

Glad you tried something new for lunch and you liked it enough to deem it "blog worthy."

Your energy and positive attitude is infectious! :)

Becca said...

I can definitely see a difference! You look great.

I LOVE to put grapes in chicken salad (walnuts, too!)

Jessica - cbgblog said...

Brittany... I am SOOOOO happy you did my challenge! I LOVE LOVE LOVE that you had so much fun doing a photo shoot.

You are one of my favorites. You are adorable and beautiful!

I see a difference... your face is slim and you have great cheek bones. The biggest thing I see is in your eyes (I know silly sounding, but just wait for my explanation). It was v-day in your top pics and it should of been a great and happy time (which I'm sure it was) but looking at the pics you took today your eyes are just beaming happiness! You look GREAT!!!

About the food--ewww, I don't like tuna. *haha* I like chicken salad and grapes though.

p.s... you are BEYOND worthy to be a part of this world. Act like you own it :)

Melissa said...

Just hopped over from Jessica at CBGBlog & i love your blog. You are GORGEOUS, girl! & i can definitely see a difference too. :)

Corletta said...

Girl...you already know what I'm going to say....AMAZING...EVERYTHING about you! I think we are kindred spirits...if there is such a thing!

Unknown said...

You are so freakin' cute, Brittany!

Tiff said...

Wow! What a great difference! You can totally tell in your face; being in control is one of the greatest feelings in the world. I'm so happy for you :)

Tammy said...

HUGE difference!!! You're gorgeous anyway...but you're definitely getting gorgeous-er, lol. Don't forget to pop over to my blog today and leave your first weigh-in for our challenge!! :)

Andrea @ CanYouStayForDinner.com said...

Brittany you are so so beautiful! I just love seeing your transformation, but I have to say- you've always been gorgeous, my love! It's undeniable. I'd just say that now you're glowing. You seem to radiate the happiness you feel within!

And I loveeee the tuna sandwich with grapes- I'd definitely eat that!!

Have a lovely start to the week!

Meg said...

You were gorgeous then, and gorgeous now! You can definitely tell a difference...you should be so proud of everything you have accomplished -- not just weight loss, but confidence in yourself too! :)

I love tuna salad! I've never tried the grapes -- will have to do that the next time I make it. Have a great week!

Sean, Jen, Carson and Addie said...

I've always thought that you were beautiful. I'm glad that you are seeing it now, too. I'm so proud of you and I can't wait to see you guys soon (wish it was sooner, though!)

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