First Goal; Accomplished!

When I first started out on my weight loss journey all I could think about was my overall goal, the ultimate number I wanted to lose, and most days I would feel defeated because that number was significantly high. And without telling you my starting weight, because I am still very embarrassed at how heavy I let myself get, I wanted to lose almost half my weight and that was very intimidating. Don't get me wrong, my weight loss goal has never changed I still want to lose the X amount of weight but the way I look at it has changed drastically. With some motivation and real talk with good friends I knew that if I was going to stick with this new journey and life change then I needed to reevaluate my goals and make them more realistic. So I told myself once I hit my first 50lbs I would buy myself a little something something. So here I am, 5 months later, 50lbs lighter, and I got a new pair of some pretty bad ass Nike's! Although I still have a long road ahead of me, there is still a part of me that thinks this is so surreal. Never in a million years would I have thought I would be here. I thought being fat & unhealthy was just who I was, how I was wired but then I realized I did this to my body, I created this "monster" but I also know I am the only one who can undo the damage. Yes, I'm still very awkward at accepting compliments, I still cringe a little at pictures that are posted of me on social media, I'm always having my friends reassure me they have seen a change and I'm still learning how to love & live in my skin but that's all part of the journey. I wouldn't be here without all the support from my family and friends, those who push me every day to do better. So thank you, from the bottom of my heart to all the people who have encouraged me every step of the way, it still means the world to me. From the super encouraging text messages to the ones holding me accountable to make sure I'm not falling back into bad habits, thank you. I'm not who I was 5 months ago and I wouldn't have it any other way...this is only the beginning my friends.

-Allison Rose

I Wouldn't Be Here If It Wasn't For You

Since I began this journey I have been so overwhelmed by all the support you all have shown me. It's very humbling to see how many people are standing behind on me and are rooting for me. Seriously it is such a blessing to have that reassurance with this army behind me. But I feel like I have to be honest with you all. You aren't my biggest motivators. There have a been a few people who have been pushing me even before I started this journey. They have been on my back for years even. But if it wasn't for them I wouldn't be here today. I wouldn't get out of bed every morning, although some days I dread it, and head to the gym if it wasn't for them. I wouldn't be making the changes in my eating habit if it wasn't for them. I don't think I would have this burning desire to accomplish everything if it wasn't for them.

So I want to say thank you to all the people who told me I wouldn't be able to accomplish this. To all the guys who never even gave me a chance because I didn't fit their size 0 requirement to be in a relationship with. To the girl who told she use to be just as fat as I was, and that I shouldn't feel bad about myself. Yes, that really happened. And yes I had to restrain myself from using some very colorful words with her. Thank you to all the people who have doubted me over the years. Here's to all the people who tell me I can't do something because I'm not thin enough, because I'm not girly enough, because I'm not pretty enough. And here's to all the people who have suggested that I should just settle. You are my biggest motivators and I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for you.

Although the words have left me hurt and the doubters have made me self conscious some days, my desire to accomplish this goal just grows and grows. It is a wild flame that can only tamed by doing what people have told me I can't do. And you can mark my words, I will accomplish my goal, no matter what setbacks or how long it will take. I think it's time we stop being ordinary and start living extraordinary.

-Allison Rose