Inspired by a fellow Zonie

Jess, I'm sure you know who you are ;)

Jessica's list of 100 reasons to lose weight inspired me from the first reason, to the very last. I had some time on my hands on my flight home from Atlanta and figured I'd write down the 100 reasons why I'm happy -- why I'm glad I chose to do this, to re-craft myself. Hopefully they'll make some sense to those of you other than just me ;)

1. Modeling positive emotional behavior for my children.
2. Modeling positive physical behavior for my children.
3. Showing myself that I am more than I ever knew. And less!
4. Creating a new me from scratch, keeping only the flaws I like.
5. Showing my husband that I finally understand why he loves me.
6. Showing and/or telling anyone who listens that they can do it too.
7. It's great to miss the gym after 4 days of vacation. And walking on the treadmill at my sister's house one of those days.
8. Not wondering who I'm smaller than anymore (you know, walking around the mall/grocery/Target looking at others wondering who I look like, who I am smaller than, who I am bigger than).
9. Airplane seats -- they're roomy now!
10. The couch -- I don't feel like I take up more than my share unless I'm stretched out or being a couch hog on purpose.
11. My sister's aerobed -- I honestly would have worried about deflating it while I slept before, no matter how sturdy those things are.
12. Finagling a 65 pound suitcase up, then back down two flights of stairs.
13. Splurging is such a treat now, much more special because it's not an everyday thing.
14. The look on people's faces I haven't seen in years.
15. Not flinching at the idea of two flights of stairs.
16. The time spent only on ME at the gym.
17. Believing other when they compliment me.
18. Fitting comfortably in car seats.
19. Being able to tie my shoes in the middle, not all the way over to the inside edge.
20. Being able to hug my legs to my chest.
21. Not being the heaviest one in the family.
22. Weighing less than my husband for the first time in nearly 15 years.
23. Being honest with myself.
24. Being selfish in a good way.
25. Knowing I am strong enough.
26. Embracing both the pride and the shame. I earned them both equally.
27. Crossing my legs like a lady.
28. Not being satisfied with 30 minutes of exercise.
29. Loving fruits and veggies more than ever before.
30. Feeling refreshed after naps instead of more tired.
31. Succeeding completely at a wholly personal task.
32. Inspiring others (hopefully).
33. Not letting anything get in my way, long term at least.
34. Going up the stairs at home and never being out of breath.
35. Relishing the idea of a long walk with the dog -- minus the pollen though!
36. Making my bed -- I never could do it without getting winded before.
37. Shaving my legs.
38. Fitting easily into my walk-in closet (it's small, and I used to turn sideways to get into it).
39. Rubbing off on my kids (they drink crystal light instead of apple juice now).
40. Not driving thru much at all anymore.
41. Thinking there's nothing much better than a fresh, crisp Fuji apple.
42. Not minding having a can of peas for dinner.
43. Knowing I can't eat out at a Mexican restaurant and expect a good result.
44. Having a normal stomach/digestive system.
45. Being able to wear heels again with at least a modicum of comfort involved.
46. Shopping at places like Anthropologie, Banana Republic, etc.
47. Snoring less, according to DH!
48. Thinking people are insane to drink 2% milk instead of skim.
49. Discovering Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze and oatmeal.
50. Enjoying my PB2 -- guilt free!!!
51. I'd much rather be the stinky one (extra fiber makes me toot! ROFL!) than the fat one.
52. Being fine with still being the heaviest of my sisters.
53. Being able to love others better because I love myself.
54. Using the gift of words to be able to process this all.
55. Needing a tummy tuck.
56. GETTING a tummy tuck! Thanks so much Dr. Smith! You're amazing!
57. Having two vegetables served with dinner and having it be normal.
58. Fat Free Sugar Free pudding and Fat Free Cool Whip for dessert, or snack, or on some weird days, breakfast....
59. Alternative bagels.
60. Not feeling guilty anymore when my husband picks me up.
61. Not worrying about embarassing my kids for being the "fat mom".
62. For no longer being the girl who "eats all the food" -- long story LOL
63. Being happy with more than one part of my body.
64. Knowing I'll never be "done" with this.
65. Shrinking out of gym clothes.
66. Shrinking out of swimsuits (third year in a row I'll need a new size!)
67. Shrinking out of my Spanx.
68. Not standing out for a bad reason -- usually
69. Friends who now mean so much to me like KarenS, Dotti and Al, Maria P, and all my zonie buddies.
70. Doing this for one reason, and one reason only.... myself!
71. Playing in the snow without hyperventilating.
72. Understanding what a REAL portion size is.
73. Not having people recognize me anymore.
74. Seeing the pride in my mother's eyes.
75. Seeing the pride in Teresa's eyes -- my step-mom.
76. My husband having at least an idea of how hard this is.
77. Owning a size 10 and fitting into it!
78. Realizing that maybe a size Large is too big (but it depends!)
79. Every now and then, embracing the pride and ignoring the shame.
80. Showing the "bad guys" that I'm stronger than them.
81. Having my driver's license serve as my "before" photo.
82. Finding out that Lucky Jeans, True Religion Jeans and 7 For All Mankind jeans totally ROCK!
83. Having a gym wardrobe that is larger than my "real" wardrobe.
84. Different sneakers for different activities.
85. Not being afraid of a camera anymore.
86. Knowing that I need my inhaler if I'm having trouble breathing and it's not just me.....
87. Not needing blood pressure meds.
88. Feeling hugely guilty for not going to the gym.
89. Choosing to move instead of sit (like during the layover at the airport).
90. Being in less pain every day.
91. Feeling my sweat pants slip down my hips during a workout.
92. Knowing I had it in me all along.
93. Needing to eat every couple hours.
94. Feeling like a grilled chicken sandwich is a splurge (drive thru choice is ALWAYS a salad now!)
95. Knowing that I'm not THAT special, and being happy about it.
96. Hating the treadmill, it doesn't burn enough calories!
97. Knowing how easy it is to get back on the wagon.
98. Setting a good example instead of a bad one.
99. Knowing within my heart that being off the wagon isn't worth it.
100. Knowing the the first 99 reasons are just the beginning.