{Operation Red Bikini comes to an end}

Operation Red Bikini began back in December 2012.

 I wasn't too much of a blog regular back then and only really got into it in January.

December though is when I decided enough was enough.

I took our family photographs for Christmas and really saw the weight gain in myself then.

Once I got back home from my Christmas trip, I decided enough was enough. I would start going to the gym more and I would begin eating better. I researched the internet for workouts and eating plans and that's when I came across Kassie's Southern Girl Gets Fit blog and, therefore, Operation Red Bikini.

Even though they'd already began almost a month before me, I still committed myself to joining also!

My comment with my goal was this, 

NicoleJanuary 2, 2013 at 7:09 PM

I am absolutely in! My goal is to (ultimately) lose 20lbs. I think that's pretty doable by May. Another goal for this YEAR is to run one 5k race each month. I hate running but that seems to be making me even more determined to do this.

My weight at the time was 155/156 pounds. 

I'm not sure exactly because I later found out my scale is off by 2-3 pounds.
I already had a swimsuit I wanted to look hot in but didn't start taking those photographs until February.
I also bought myself a goal outfit.

I couldn't even button the pants up and the shirt extenuates every fat roll I possible could have.
I was not a happy camper.
It was all my own fault though.
I let myself get this far.
I was going to do something about it though.

My other goal listed for O.R.B. was to run one 5k race a month for 12 months.
I actually made this goal back in December but what better way to verbalize it than to list it for this goal also?
January 19 was my first 5k race.
I was terribly slow but I did it.
I'm still doing it.
In fact, I have race #5 today.

I never thought running could make me feel the way I do.
I actually enjoy running.
I get goosebumps.
I get goosebumps when working out too.
I absolutely love it.

Here are some more progress photo's and then I'll talk about where I am today.

Feb 23, 2103

It seems as though I didn't take any progress photographs in April.

I just didn't think about it.

This one was taken in April though.

So, on to today, May 31, 2013...

Today I weigh 143 pounds.

I've lost a total of 12-13 pounds.

I, personally, do not see that as a lot of weight given the timeframe.

It's also 7-8 pounds shy of my 20lb weightloss goal.

However.

I am okay with that.

I feel so much better today than I did 6 months ago.

I have so much more energy now.

My clothes fit better now, most are too big.

I can see a difference in my body today than I did 6 months ago.

I also stopped caring about my scale weight because of those reasons listed.

Weighing myself got to be so entirely depressing.

I was doing so much hard work and barely seeing a difference in the scale.

I hated the way it made me feel even though I knew how much I worked out and ate better.

I mean, I can button my goal pants now and look good in them.

I couldn't do that 5 months ago.

December 2012 on the left.  May 2013 on the right.

Am I done?

No, I don't quite think so.

There's still some toning up I'd like to do and I'd still like to find what works best for me food-wise.

I am happy though.