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!

Thursday, July 8, 2010

A New Size + A Switcheroo!

Today I went shopping with my Sister-in-Law, to get ready for our family reunion!
I was absolutely itching to get in the store, so I could try on a size 14 pants!

I walked into Kohl's, went straight to the ladies department, and started my hunt for size 14 pants! I draped each cute pair I came across, on my arm, to take into the fitting room.
It was weird.
It seemed like I was shopping in la la land.
"Is this really happening? Surely these aren't going to fit."

Once I had a decent pile of pants hanging over my arm, I took a deep breath, and decided it was time to head to the fitting room.

That's when my heart started racing.
And I think I even started to sweat.

I took forever to find a stall I wanted, even though the fitting room was completely empty. I was nervous, and I was stalling. Finally, I picked one. I locked the door, took another deep breath, and selected the first pair of pants I wanted to try on, which were capris. These were a little less intimidating then jeans. I held them up, and let out a chuckle. "You're not going to fit into these Brittany. It'll be okay if you don't"

I was surprised they made it up my legs. Even more surprised when they made it past the junk in my trunk, and I totally couldn't believe it when I comfortably buttoned them!
They fit!I was ecstatic!
Next, I tried on size 14 jeans, that created a bit of a muffin top.It was a little discouraging, but then I tried on another size 14 jeans, and they fit perfectly!WooHoo!

I've gone from a size 18 to a 14!!
I'm so stinkin' proud of myself!

These are the moments in this weight loss journey, that make everything
so worth it
!

I wish I could capture that feeling in a jar, and eat it up each and everyday!

Next stop: size 12!

**

After all that shopping, I had an infusion appointment at my doctor's office.
I was on Enbrel, a once weekly home injection, but I've switched back to Remicade. Remicade is a light form of chemotherapy, given through an IV. The infusion lasts 2 hours, and I have to get it every two months. I was on these infusions for a couple years, but stopped last December, due to the fact that I knew we were going to start trying to get pregnant in a few months. In December I switched to the injections, thinking it would be safer if I got pregnant. As it turns out, studies have shown that Remicade isn't harmful during a pregnancy! Which is great, because I like the infusions way more then the injections! I would have an allergic reaction every time my husband gave me the injection, they hurt A LOT, and I just didn't like being poked every week! I'm going to stop the infusions when I get pregnant, just to be on the safe side, but at least I know that getting pregnant on Remicade, won't hurt the baby!They gave me the ever so fabulous, Strawberry Shortcake band aid! ;)
The infusion days themselves are hard though. You can get sick during the infusion. The side effects can range from having a fever, the shakes, headaches, vomiting, and all sorts of other unpleasant stuff! They're also guaranteed to make you
super-de-duper tired
! Because of the fact that I haven't had the infusion in a long time, they had to give it to me ultra slow, to reduce the chances of me having side affects. Instead of taking 2 hours, it took 3 1/2!! I had a few moments there where I thought I was going to puke, but I kept my mind off it, by reading all of your blogs on my iphone! So thanks for getting me through it! ;)
The medicine also seems to put my mind in a fog. I took 3 wrong turns getting home from my appointment, on a route I've been taking for over 2 years!

Although today was a little rough, I'm super excited to start feeling the medicine working! These past few days I've felt like the tin man from Wizard of Oz! Now that I've been "oiled up" hopefully I'll be all set!

**

I also just found out that I've been given The Versatile Blogger Award, by Amy at Lite and Fit!!!Thank you so much Amy!!

I'm going to work on it this weekend, and be back on Monday to share!

Thank you again!
xoxo

16 comments:

Hannah said...

That's so awesome! I love that feeling too, sometimes it's what keeps me going on hard days.

I'm glad that you don't have to do shots once a week anymore. The side effects of the infusion don't sound like much fun though. I hope the rest of you day went smoothly and the next infusion goes well!

Deborah said...

I ♥love♥ reading your blog!! So Happy for you!! :)

Tiffany said...

Love reading your blog. You definitely deserve the reward, and congratulations on rocking those jeans!

Kimberly said...

Brittany, just look at you! That first picture captures every ounce of hard work you're putting into this journey! Congratulations! You're getting there!

And the picture with your hand is worth framing... it may not be the way you want to spend an afternoon, but you're doing it for yourSELF like the magazine is pointing out.

You have a wonderful outlook and it shines!

Hugs, Kimberly

divad said...

So exciting Brittany! The second pair of jeans looked much nicer. Not all size 14's are created equal, eh?

I have a friend who's son has Remicade infusions. His is for Crone's Disease. That's a lot to go through.

Can't wait to see your size 12 photos!

Jessica said...

Congrats on the new size!! :) You look super cute in the capris!

Bella said...

Wow, not only did those pedal pushers and jeans "fit," but you rocked 'em! They look awesome on you!! I am so thrilled for you.

Becca said...

I *Love* that pair of jeans, and they look great on you. A side note - you have gorgeous wedding rings!

Meg said...

I hope you bought those pants, cause you look great in them!! Way to go, girl!!

Tammy said...

Dang Brittany, you look fantastic!!!!! I really need to get the show on the road here...I'm getting left behind by EVERYBODY!! lol You really do look good girl...congrats on the 168! Very proud of your consistency and effort...thanks for the inspiration today! :)

Jenn@slim-shoppin said...

Yeah for size 14's!!! That's so exciting!!!

Anonymous said...

OK missy....now you do know that you are drop dead gorgeous right??? OK...just making sure you know :)

You look A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!!!

Anonymous said...

Congrats, it is seriously the BEST feeling in the world!!! You'll be at a 12 in no time!

Paul and Whitney Rohrbaugh said...

Congrats on the super cute pants fitting! Always an awesome feeling! Did you buy them? I hate how different brands fit you so differently. You could fit into 1 size at 1 store and at another store the size could either be higher or lower. Weird!

Sam said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! That is such a big moment for you!! I never knew until it happened to me, but it is HUGE!! Way to go girl!!!

Anonymous Fat Girl said...

You look fantastic! And you should be incredibly proud of yourself!!!! :)