My story of 20 lbs of success! (and still 15 more to go)

samanthairene43

This is my story with my fitness pal:

At my yearly check-up at the doctors I had to do the dreadful weigh-in. And I was shocked at the scale said. I've gained 25 lbs! Though it was gained gradually in the 3 years since high school, I didn't realize it had gotten so bad. So me and a friend decided to start a couch to 5k. By the end I was very proud of myself for being able to run so far, though I consider myself an athlete, I was not a runner. I felt great, clothes a but looser confidence a little higher, but in those 2 months I barely lost 5 lbs! So I decided to start my fitness pal again but this time be committed. With Trader Joe's next door, a food scale, running 3-4 times a week, and 1400-1500 calories a day I have lost about 20 lbs! Throughout this journey I have learned that losing weight is simply math, which I love (finance major.) 3500 calories = a pound, every time I eat that much less then I burn naturally and through exercise I lose a pound. (I tend to be a bit obsessive with my calculator ap, usually at night while watching tv, and looking at how much I mathematically lost that week/day/month.) My goal is still 15 or so more, but it is and has been an enlightening journey for a healthy lifestyle!

Stats of myself:
I am female, 5' 7.5", large framed, weight before (about) 186, weight now 164. (2 lbs away from being a healthy bmi!)

Things I have learned:
-As much as I hated it, I started to weigh myself everyday. Sure I fluctuated up and down, but over time it was so encouraging to see the downward trend of my weight. Now I can't wait to see what it says in the morning, especially because it goes down! (most of the time)
-PORTION SIZES. I use a food scale when I can, and man did that open my eyes. What I thought was about a serving of food was cut in half by that scale.
-I exercise so I can eat more. Reading some peoples threads about not eating their exercise calories makes me crazy. I think, why exercise then? Ok, well I run for more then just eating more, but it is at least a good 50% of why I do. It's like being able to eat 300 calories more and still lose the same weight!
- Patience. I now know that I am not going to lose 10 lbs in a week (even though I may gain 5 in a day!) Sometimes I lose 1 lb a week, sometimes 3. No matter what, there is a downward trend. And there is at least 5 months till bikini season, so there's not a big rush.
- When I am hungry, I eat. I am not going to starve myself, because if I do I will binge. I can go over a few hundred once in a while and not let it bother me. I am under what I would naturally burn anyways, so who cares?
- Kraft Macncheese, Toppers pizza and sticks, and binge drinking have a lot of calories (classy I know, but I am 22 that's what we live for.) I swear when I reach my goal weight I am soooo doing all three in a weekend. And maybe some ice cream. I will regret it and probably run like 20 miles to get rid of it, but that's not going to stop me!
- Having friends start myfitnesspal is super motivating too. It's nice to have support and little competition too. Someone to completely understand the love/hate relationship you have with it!

So there is my story! Feel free to post any comments, questions, or suggestion you have for me

queenliz99

You've hit it all!! Good job and keep it up!!

samanthairene43

Thanks!

GaleHawkins

That is great and since you have a plan that works time will be all that it takes.

janer4jc

That's a lot of wisdom for a younger lady. Congratulations, too, on being a motivator for your friends.

samanthairene43

Thank You!