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Monday, October 17, 2011

Abbey's Weight Loss Journey

Abbey in December 2010 and Abbey in October 2012

I've really been wanting to post about how proud I am of Abbey and her weight loss, but one thing that I have learned about Abbey is that sometimes my idea of a good idea and her idea of a good idea are not always the same thing. So, this morning, I asked Abbey if it was okay if I posted about what all she has accomplished. She told me that she had actually just been thinking about that.

So, I guess we were in "one accord" on this thing, except for the fact that we've never owned a Honda. We have owned a camry, but I don't think it carries the same meaning.

Back in April or May, Abbey decided that it was time to do something about her weight. Actually, we both decided that it was time for us to do something about our weight. I was doing really good until vacation, Abbey has done really well the entire time.

Abbey in October 2006 just before Ava's Wedding/Abbey in September 2011 at Manya's Wedding

Abbey has struggled with weight her entire life and has tried several diets. While we were in seminary, Abbey decided to lose weight. She did a great job and lost lots of weight. Then we moved to Tennessee and several months later, we lost our first child to miscarriage. The depression and sorrow that followed lead Abbey to gain all of the weight back plus. Then there were years of infertility followed by long adoption waits.



Let me also share that I'm not one of those guys that tells my wife she needs to lose weight. In fact, I hate all talk about weight! I'm just not into the whole weight thing.

So, anyway, back in April Abbey began using "My Fitness Pal" on her iPhone to track her calories and c25k (Couch to 5 K) as an exercise regimen. For a while she had Manya's support for those morning runs, but then Manya went and got married on us.



Abbey has diligently counted calories and has been careful to only eat the allotted amount. Personally, I fall for all the gimmick diets, but Abbey has always insisted that the healthiest diet is a lifestyle change and not some pill or weight-loss shake.

Abbey has woken up every morning before I leave for work and gone running for months! After her initial 5K run, she decided that it was time to realize her dream of running a half-marathon. So, for the past couple of months she has been training for that.

Did I mention that I leave for work at 5:30 in the morning? Yeah, do the math, that means she wakes up at 4:30 and goes running!!!



This past Saturday morning, Abbey ran 11 miles in 2 hours! I cannot begin to tell you how proud or in awe of her that I am. She has definitely inspired me and the comments, emails, and facebook status updates from others have shown me that she's inspired many of you.

Abbey the day we got Reed in September 10, 2007/The day we got Nash and Will September 11, 2010/September 10, 2011

To date Abbey has lost 53.5 pounds and she looks incredible! I am so proud of her. If you are hoping that you will take her weightloss as an inspiration. She is definitely one to be proud of. A great wife, a great mom, a great role model. She's the best.

9 comments:

Kenya said...

I have to agree Jeff, she looks amazing!

Kerry said...

Thanks for the post, Jeff! Did Abbey use the training modules exactly as they are on the website when she first started? That is the same program that a friend of mine is using and that I have been looking into.

Michelle said...

So proud of you, Abbey! You are an inspiration!!!

Sewconsult said...

Congratulations, Abbey. You look wonderful.
Beckie in Brentwood, TN

Glen and Andrea said...

Thanks! I will look up that i phone thing and see if it will work for me - I sure hope so! I would also love to try the couch 24k thing but don't know how to fit it in with our familie's day.

tlcoke said...

Way to Go Abbey! I know your struggle and I too have been on my own journey for the past two years. My progress is moving slower than yours but I am committed to the long road.
I did my first 5K earlier this month mostly walking but I did finish in my goal of under an hour. Congrats on working towards running a Half Marathon.
I use My Fitness Pal for tracking my results, it is the best on the market among the Free Resources on the Internet.
Keep up the good work!

Anonymous said...

Jeff, this is a beautiful post, and yes - Abbey does look incredible.

Jaime Heckert said...

Way to go Abbey! You are inspiring!

Anonymous said...

Abbey looks wonderful and is such an inspiration in more areas than just the weight loss. She takes the role of "mothering" to a degree beyond any I have ever seen.....always calm with the boys, always providing experiences that are lifelong memories. I have not been at all surprised by this accomplishment and she has inspired me to do the same.....although my weight loss is only 11 pounds to date. Abbey, we love you and are very proud of you. Jeff, Reed, Nash, and Will, we love you too and hope that we can see you soon. Love, Enna