This post is one that has been rolling around in my head for awhile. This is something that I have struggled with for probably most of my life. Right around the summer between my 8th grade year and high school I started gaining weight. My mom had major knee surgery and I spent a lot of time on the couch with her that summer. It was not good for my weight AT ALL. I spent most of my high school years being overweight. I was pretty miserable. Then, at the beginning summer my junior year I found out that I was got into college a year early and I would be attending a local university in the fall rather than my high school. I took that as my chance. Mom and I both took the summer to work hard and lose the weight we had gained and we both did it! I started college as a new person and felt so much better about myself.
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| Me in the back. Christmas 1998. Right before the summer where I started gaining. |
Unfortunately, that was not the last I would see about that weight. See, I was always losing my weight on crash diets that would help me lose fast but I would gain back just as fast with usually some more tacked on. I have been on a path of gaining and losing over and over since that summer before my senior year 11 years ago. Just last year at this time I was closing in on my goal weight once again, The Husband left to work out of town, and in the 11 months he was gone I gained everything back I had lost plus 10lbs.
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| Junior Prom May 2002- about where I was all of high school weight-wise. Also right before I started losing. |
I am DETERMINED that this is the last time I am going to see this weight. I have finally spoken with the right people and I am doing this the right way. No more crash diets for me, I am now eating my BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) and doing well. I was very skeptical of eating the amount of calories my BMR suggested. Back in the end of February/beginning of March of this year I was eating anywhere between 900-1100 calories and I was well into my half marathon training program. My weight loss had stalled and I was feeling frustrated. I spoke with some people who told me about BMR. In case you don't know, it is the amount of calories your body burns on a daily basis just doing things it HAS to do like digestion and breathing. Basically, it's what you would burn if you just laid in bed all day and existed. These wonderful women figured my BMR for me and set me on the way of eating almost 1600 calories a day. I was so worried I would gain eating that much. I mean who eats
more to
lose weight?! I gave it 2 weeks.
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| October 2005- Healthy weight I had maintained since 2002 | |
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| August 2009- About a week after my 2nd baby in 16 months was born |
That was almost 3 months ago and I am still continually and consistently losing with this program in addition to exercise. I have had some setbacks and fluctuations here and there but when I am watchful I am getting a steady loss. I am glad that I am finally focusing on healthy eating and lifestyle changes rather than quick weight loss that comes right back. I am now less than a pound away from hitting the 20lb weight loss mark this time around. 20lbs I hope to never ever see again! Only about 30 more to go.
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| May 2011- 15lbs from goal weight |
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| November 2012-beginning of this round of weight loss |
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| May 2013- Most current picture. |
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Sorry for all the pictures! I am trying to document this for myself as well and remind myself where I never want to be again!
And now for the
WINNER of the Spartan Race Entry!! Congratulations...
Teresa Daujotis Millstone! Go conquer the Spartan race! Please check your email!
Has anyone else struggled with weight loss?
What's the craziest fad diet you have heard of?
So excited that I won, and a little scared too, I've never done a race like the spartans. I lost about 50 pounds over 18 months, and have been maintaining for the last 6. Slow and steady is the way to go.
ReplyDeleteYou will do great! And that is an amazing weight loss! Way to go!
DeleteAwesome job on your weight loss journey. I think everyone had ups and downs when it comes to losing weight. I had them too. It never was easy for me but I learned a lot during the process. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is most certainly a learning process! I have a long way to go but I am glad I am on the way back down. I am also the same way, it is a fight for me to lose at all!
DeleteKeep it up! Stick with that positive attitude, and I know you can do it!
ReplyDeleteThank you!!
DeleteI yo-yo dieted for years - to the point that I thought being "thin" just wasn't in my genes. Then, at age 40, I finally gave up all the crazy diets and changed my life. It was a very slow change, but I lost 40 lbs and have kept it off for 6 years! Now, I know people who have never even seen the "fat" me. They talk about how lucky I am to have "good genes". How ironic!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, my point is that you CAN set your mind to losing weight and never gaining it back! I said - out loud - many times "I would rather never lose the weight than to lose it and gain it all back." And this time I meant it!!!
I love all of these encouraging stories! You ladies are amazing! I hope that I can say the same thing in 6 years!
ReplyDeleteYour an inspiration on your weightloss journey!!! I know you'll get those next 30 pounds!! The past few years I have struggled to lose weight, go figure I start running more and gain wait (all that hunger) but this year I am battling it. I am down 18 pounds, and I have had a few bumps along the way. But I love reading blogs like yours to help keep me motivated and pushing the right track! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your kind words. I totally understand the gaining from the "runger" as I have heard it called =). 18lbs is AMAZING! Keep up the good work!
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