I’m sharing my weight loss adventure at my next Weight Watchers meeting. I’m so excited.

My Weight Watchers leader asked me to speak about my weight loss journey at the Saturday meeting.  I’m really excited but also feeling a bit overwhelmed. I mean, how do I distill all that I’ve learned over the last two years into 5 minutes?

Plus, my weight loss journey is a bit unorthodox  — I did quit my job to shed the pounds (not something I’m recommending everyone attempt).

This morning I’m working on my outline. I think I’m going to divide the presentation by years — 2012 was the learning curve and in 2013 I got my mojo back!

2012: Re-learning How To Eat
In 2012 I re-learned everything I could about food — dealing with cravings, which foods triggered binges, and most importantly, how food becomes fat in my body.  For me, understanding the science of Why We Get Fat is the key to my weight loss.

With Weight Watchers, you’re not deprived. You can have any food you want as long as you count the points and keep to your daily point range.

Well in 2012 I discovered I couldn’t have any food I wanted. The more carbs I ate, the more insulin in my blood, the more my body stored fat.

I eliminated sodas, processed foods and my trigger foods (pasta, bread and grains) from my diet. Sugar got the boot too, and I even limited fruit. I found I had more energy, felt fantastic and yes, the weight started coming off faster.

2013: Finding my inner confidence
I really feel that I started living my life for the first time in 2013.

I lost my excuse for not trying new things.  Weight lifting, yoga, running, new foods…I wanted to try everything! Heck, this life long fish hater fell in love with sushi when I tried it for the first time last year.

I even conquered a phobia. Walking into an Old Navy, Nordstrom and Macy’s dressing room for the very first time is nerve-wracking. Doing it all in one day was terrifying.

No doubt my fashion makeover gave me the biggest boost to my confidence. Sure I went from a size 28 to an 18, but the thought of shopping somewhere other than Lane Bryant is terrifying when you’re overweight. I’ve had plenty of dressing room meltdowns in my life to know.

Sure it may seem superficial. It’s just clothes, right? But when you wear clothes you never could before, try a new hair style, and get all dolled up for your very own photo shoot, it’s not superficial. It’s awesome.

So, all of that in 5 minutes? Easy peasy.