Inadequate, Pimpled and Single! (and being brave)

Have you read this story?
In celebration of not being inadequate, pimpled or single, I've decided for the first time ever to put a picture of myself on my blog. I've finally come out! This picture was taken this morning whilst still in my pj's, unshowered and my hair hadn't been near a hair brush (hence the very forgiving sepia!). I do actually look quite tired but I'm certainly not the figure Andrew Marr describes.

My decision to come out was not directly influenced Andrew Marr however, I think he just prompted me. I rather wanted to mark a milestone, as I have now lost 2 stone in weight.
As a child, I was stick thin. I always ate well, but couldn't keep still so was always a little slim thing. I've struggled with my weight on and off since my mid teenage years - and have dieted so many times I've lost count (like most women I'm sure). In recent years and since being diagnosed with PCOS, my weight has steadily increased despite always eating a healthy diet.
When I left my job earlier this year I decided that lots of things needed to change in my life - my weight and my health being one of them. I always eat plenty of fresh fruit and veg, and I cook most days - I'm really not a fan of processed food and ready meals, so food was never really the answer to this problem. Aside from eating smaller portions, I really haven't changed my eating habits much at all. I still eat bad stuff when I feel like it.
The major difference in my healthy regime is that I now exercise everyday - something I never really used to to at all. It's a simple calculation of calories taken in versus calories burnt. I don't actually count calories - I just know what is good food and bad food.

2 stone feels good. Clothes and shoes are now too big for me, my skin looks better, I feel better, and my confidence is increasing, so much so that I felt I could finally post a picture of myself.
Outwardly people describe me as being confident - I trick I have learnt for the sake of everyday survival. Inwardly, I am not confident, and I know it stems from how I feel about myself and my weight. I still have a long way to go with my weight loss - and despite having a confidence wobble every now and then, I feel determined to make it happen.

I'm now a little scared to press the 'publish post' button, but I'm doing it because I want a record of how I'm feeling at this particular time in my life. It will be so good to look back on this in a few months knowing that I have moved on, and I know that will give me the drive me to continue.