Is it REALLY Over?

Sunday morning was the Smallest Winner Banquet...the final get-together of Season 5.  They announced the winners of the season, and we all said our goodbyes.  Did I hit the 35 lb. loss mark?  Yes!!  Did I win??

No.  And...yes.

I didn't win the competition.  I came in 2nd place.  Those of you who know me know that I'm a fan of the saying, "2nd place is the first loser."  I'm a little competitive that way.  :)  I was sad, for sure, but ultimately I was so proud of myself and my progress that it wasn't as big of a deal as I thought it would be.

However, I totally won.  Absolutely.  I lost 35 pounds!!!  That is no small feat.  I have a great workout routine, I ran my first 5K in years, I play basketball 2-3 nights a week, I eat to fuel my body (not my emotions), and I'm amazingly happy with my progress.  I've changed my life.  This is truly, honestly, a  lifestyle change that I feel I will be able to sustain.  I'm stronger and fitter than I've been in a long, long time.

I can't thank Mcyveton enough for the support that he has given me.  He's an amazing trainer, and I urge any of you to sign up for some personal training sessions with him.  I know that I will be purchasing a package of sessions this week!!

I would be remiss if I didn't thank The King of the Y.  He has this "bad boy" image...but, there's a great big softy in there.  So, thank you, Derek, for all of your "boooooo"s and King of the Y story-line ideas.  :)

Thank you to Sandy, who became my protein guru...my little "lower your carbs" angel.  My "get up off of the floor and suck it up" circuit class instructor.

Thanks to my Aunt Mary, who was so supportive...even when she was taking pictures of my Thanksgiving food and texting them to Mcyveton.  ;)  You're such an inspiration to me, Mary!!

Thanks to my teammates and the other Smallest Winner contestants!!  I loved working out with you all.  Well, as long as we weren't doing burpees or battle ropes.  Haha.  I wish you the best with your lifestyle change.  Keep up the great work!!

Last of all, thank you to my family and friends.  My husband and daughter have been so supportive (although my daughter says that she misses laying her head on my "squishy" stomach).  Thank you to my wonderful friends.  You all have been the best cheerleaders EVER!!

So...is it REALLY over?  Nope.  It's never really over, is it?  This is my new life.  This is my new, exciting, fantastic life.  I've also decided to sign up for Smallest Winner Season 6.  This was such a fantastic experience, and I still have a bunch of weight to lose, so I just can't pass it up!!  I will continue the blog until then, though I won't post every week, so that I can keep you up-to-date on my progress.

Do you want to change your life?  Join me for Season 6!!  You won't regret it!!

Here's a little picture of me, taken in Times Square, during my NYC trip.  Check out the sign above my head!!!  New thinking, new possibilities, indeed!!