I guess you could say that my gift for 2009 (the last sixteen weeks anyway) was to maintain a very nice weightloss that I’ve done so far this year. That’s nothing to sneeze or complain about. I’ll be the FIRST person to say that. I’ve lost 26.2 pounds since May. That is something to be excited about. That is a gift to myself.
I had wanted to do better in the GAG challenge but I didn’t. Instead, I pretty much maintained. No, it’s not actually a maintenance — I did lose 5.6 pounds in the sixteen weeks of the challenge. I had some personal challenges and some person victories along the way.
Am I upset with how I did over the challenge? NO!
Am I proud of myself for how I did over the challenge? Sort of. I wish I’d done better but I’m proud of the fact that I’m lower than when I started.
Now, we’re supposed to have pictures to mark the end of the challenge. Well, that’s not happening for me. I got a new scale and it doesn’t stay on that long and my phone is the only camera I have and it takes a while to take a picture sometimes. The combination does NOT work for taking a picture. So, you’ll have to take my word for it that the scale read 203.2 this morning. Seriously, I’m not in line for any fantastic awards or anything with that number so I’m sure it’ll be fine. I also took body shots a couple weeks ago — those will do as well. I’m not trying to downplay what I accomplished — I just don’t have the equipment (camera) to comply. LOL
So — a HUGE non-scale victory this week. 
Sunday I went to church (nothing abnormal about that LOL) and my nephew decided he wanted to go to “big church” instead of kid’s church. Which was fine. But, that’s not even part of my non-scale victory, I’m just trying to build up the excitement for you.
So, we go to church and we’re walking in and I’m greeting people as I go (which really is something because I go to a pretty big church so it’s realistic to go to church on a Sunday and see nobody that I actually know). So, as I’m walking in I see ….
Oh, Sunday night I took my sister and nephew to drive through the living nativity the private school at the church was putting on. Very exciting and fun experience. Afterwards we drove around (in the rain — what the heck — it’s almost Christmas and we have NO snow just yucky rain) to look at lights. (Like my attempt and drawing this HUGE thing out for you? LOL
So, like I said, I was walking in to church greeting friends when I saw a friend that I hadn’t seen since mid-summer. I wanted to talk to her so I stood to the side while she finished talking to someone. When she turned, I kid you not, her eyes bulged (like in the cartoons) and her jaw dropped (LITERALLY) and she did the head-to-toe once over. I looked at her with a bewildered look on my face because I couldn’t figure out what her problem was — I mean I did shower and do my hair that morning and I didn’t think I looked THAT bad. Well, then I realized SHE HASN’T SEEN ME SINCE MID-SUMMER. She finally caught herself, shook her head, and said “WOW!”.
Talk about making my day!
So…like most people things are crazy busy right now. Lots of work (I’m a bookkeeper — year-end is BUSY). I’m watching my nephew every day while his mom’s at work. And, I’m mentally in vacation mode. So, if I don’t get by before then here’s my wish to you:
Merry Christmas! Here’s to a very happy and healthy Christmas time spent with those you love doing the things that make you happy.
22 December 2009, 12:24 PM
Congrats on your overall loss for this challenge! Hey a loss is a loss and like you said, it’s better than gaining. You’ve done really good this year, I know you will get to onederland in the next week or two and you will get to goal. Keep working hard!!!
Heather´s last blog ..GAG Challenge – FINAL WI
22 December 2009, 1:16 PM
I am glad you are proud of yourself! I would lose and gain back for so long that any kind of maintance is totally respected and appreciated by me. And you did good, thank you for your contribution to and participation in GAG. Merry Christmas to you and yours as well! Keep on plugging. ♥
Christine´s last blog ..Tuesday Weigh-ins
22 December 2009, 6:13 PM
Congrats on your successful weight loss journey this year… Keep up the motivation and you will meet your goals too! good Luck to you!
May you have a Merry Christmas, Healthy, Successful, and Happy New Year!
Lisa´s last blog ..GAG 2009 Final Weigh In
22 December 2009, 6:19 PM
Congrats on your NSV!
23 December 2009, 2:46 AM
You did really well!
24 December 2009, 11:54 AM
Congrats on the weigh-in. I always thought that maintaining was harder than losing so congrats! And maintaining through the holidays is even better!
YAY!
Annie´s last blog ..GAG 2009: Week 16 weigh-in