Blame it on weddings and Yahoo.com

I blame the creation of this blog on Yahoo.com and an article I read about people who used blogs as a way of losing weight, staying accountable to their weight loss and as a forum for keeping track of what they were doing, venting frustrations, and letting others follow/join their journey.

I also blame Steve Z! Oh yes, I am calling you out Steve!! Confused?? Well follow my complete lack of logic on this....you decide to propose to my best friend (of which I am incredibly happy and excited about). This of course leads to thoughts of weddings (when will the wedding be, where will the wedding be, who will be in the wedding, what dress will the bride wear, what will the colors be, what will the groom wear and for me as a bridesmaid-what will the maid of honor and bridesmaids wear). I love my best friend and am willing to wear whatever makes her happy. It could be a San Francisco Giants orange taffeta bow extravaganza such as this

and I would happily wear it...for her. Luckily she is not asking us to go that route. But I am a big girl so thoughts of bridesmaid dresses kinda make me break out in a cold sweat. I want to look good and feel comfortable in any dress (hideous or beautiful).

I have lost quite a bit of weight over the last 18 months, about 85lbs. Not because I have conscientiously tried, but drastic life changes tend to aid (sometimes hamper) in jump starting that. But I'll get to the drastic life change later. Back to my weight loss so far. Because my weight loss was attributed mostly to a huge increase in walking and change in eating habits I've dropped the weight, but the skin is still loose. Now in my normal day to day clothes I can cover this up, but in a sleeveless or strapless bridesmaid dress-not really. Now I know what you all are thinking "But Becca, you can always use a shawl or wrap or shrug." And logically I know you are right, but I hate that look especially when I am the only one wearing it. I'm not really into being the one who stands out in a crowd or photo for that matter (which I think is why I'm usually behind the camera documenting the world around me without me in it).

How does this all lead to the creation of this blog? Well, my best friend is getting married sometime this year after I get home and I would like to feel comfortable in whatever dress she chooses. This is her day and it should look the way she wants it. Again, I know what you are thinking..."Becca you shouldn't lose weight just to fit into a dress. Weight loss is a way of life, it can't be for just one event." And you are correct. I am simply using this one event as an ass kicker to continue what I started 18 months ago. For the last 18 months I have been a passive participant in my weight loss, but that only gets you so far. Eventually you plateau which is what I have done. Now I have to be an active participant and this blog is one of many steps I am taking.

This post is simply the explanation. The next post will be the beginning!

And a special note to my best friend: Do not take this as something against you. You have inspired me to get off my butt and do something I've been talking and thinking about for too long now but have been too lazy and self conscious to follow through with. You are my catalyst!!