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Six months, 48 pounds, and 20+ inches ago, my journey toward a new me began. There have many trials, missteps, and victories along the way, but the fact remains; I have changed fundamentally. Permanently.
I have been tested in ways that I couldn't imagine 6 months ago. Family strokes, hospitalizations of parents and children, work stress, and life tests have come and gone. These tests would have previously sent me into an eating frenzy that would make a champion hot dog eater proud. And the weight loss continues.
I really don't have a weight loss secret to share with anyone. It is not like I went on some terribly restrictive diet or pursued a workout routine that would get me in shape for the olympics. I sure as heck didn't do what they do on the biggest loser. But I did lose weight. And inches. Just not as fast and not as much as I would have if I had a personal trainer motivating me and 16 hours a day to devote to changing my weight. Instead, I am a single mother, devoted daughter, and an overworked middle management office worker.
My only "secret" is that I just stopped being self destructive by eating candy, chips, fast food, and other things that are calorie laden. I eat simple foods and I try to have a salad for lunch 5-6 days a week. I pay attention to what I eat rather than just shoving junk into my mouth. I decide what a portion is, set it out, and then eat. When I do stress eat, I choose carrots. They crunch, taste sweet, and satisfy me.
My health has improved dramatically. I can't imagine going through the hospital stays and issues with my parents' and kids' mental and physical health while still feeling absolutely miserable at 250 pounds and barely able to move.
Back in January when I was still losing weight rapidly, I set a goal to be at my goal weight in 11 more days. I am not going to make it. I am disappointed, but not devastated. That is a change in me in and of itself. I do take "failure" well. I am adjusting, setting a new plan, and moving on. I still want to be able to obtain my goal for my year mark - be able to hike to Hanging Lake without stopping every 5 mintues and being outpaced by a blind woman.
My weight has become less important to me. The numbers are just a tally. My son was describing a scale to me the other day - one that tells you much you have lost, not the amount you weigh. I don't know if that would help me, but it was intriguing none the less.
I like to think of it this way. I am 80% of what I once was. I have lost 20% of my total body weight in just 6 months. I am doing so knowing that it will never come back. I have gotten rid of a closet filled with clothes. My shoes fit differently and I can actually wear high heels because my plantar fasciitis isn't crippling me anymore. There are so many changes, it is hard to convey them all. Touching my toes, hell, seeing my toes! It is tremendous.
I would not have been able to make this change without Fat Secret. It has helped me tremendously to come here and write down the things I have struggled with. I have learned so much from reading journals and forum posts. I look at juicers and exercise equipment when I go shopping. When I am in a bookstore, I look for reading materials that are health and diet related. I seek out cookbooks and recipes that teach me how to make tasty meals that are lower in fat and calories and are still tasty. I owe all of that to Fat Secret and its members.
Thank you one and all. I would not be 80% of my former self without you.
Diet Calendar Entries for 23 March 2013:
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1580 kcal
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Fat: 24.88g | Prot: 60.62g | Carb: 277.84g.
Breakfast: country style hash browns, Flavors French Vanilla Ground Coffee, stevia, Milk (Nonfat). Dinner: garlic texas toast, kroger spaghetti sauce, ziti, canned mushrooms, mozzarella cheese. Snacks/Other: focaccia, malt o meal collosal crunch. more...
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3094 kcal
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Activities & Exercise:
Walking (moderate) - 3/mph - 1 hour and 30 minutes, Housework - 3 hours, Desk Work - 6 hours, Resting - 5 hours and 30 minutes, Sleeping - 8 hours. more...
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