Goooaalll ! And it started with an app...before and after pics that show that CICO really works

LyndaLee68

On July 5th, 2014, a friend shared her weight loss victory on Facebook. Being that I'd never attempted any diet or fitness plan in my life (my thought being "I'm not going to start something I know I won't succeed at, I can't eat low calorie bad tasting food forever, and I'm going to eat socially and not feel awkward or resentful."), I was almost afraid to ask why she was successful this time, when the other times over the years she had yo-yo'd and been unhappy. Wanting to keep my thought of actually doing something to change where I was, I inboxed her with the question, "what's been working for you, how has it worked all year long, and why do you sound so positive and happy this time?". While I waited to hear back, I told myself that "if she says weight watchers I'm out, if she says shakes and bars I'm out, if she says surgery I'm out, if she says prepackaged diet means I'm out". Her response; "I use MyFitnessPal... it's just calories in, calories out". Huh? That's it??? What?? Where's the catch? I waited for the rest, but nothing else came up from her... then a link to the app. UGH ! Come on! There's got to be more to it, right?? We talked/typed a little more, and she made it sound so doable. So possible.
So, on July 6th I decided to give it a go. My second and last child would be leaving for college in 3 weeks (and being a scholar athlete she was given a regiment to be working out all summer), and I knew that my calendar, my job as a parent, my freetime, and my focus would be changing. I knew that my husband would most likely be crying into his beer and food (he's a tenderhearted dad that totally lost it when our son left for college -- I could only imagine what would happen when his baby girl left), while I would be doing my usual fast-food runs when I needed to get out of the house, and not have to cook for anyone anymore... just feed myself my favorite comfort foods. The timing seemed perfect.... it was now or never.
A week later I was down 3 pounds. Hmmm.. this thing may actually work. 2 weeks more and more pounds. Hey... I still get to eat at In N Out Burger! Hey, if I walk 3 miles this morning I can have an Original Tommy's chili burger with my kids and still succeed ! Hey, we went out to dinner with friends and I didn't have to order the obvious "i'm trying to loose weight, so I'll just have the salad.... (now give me the obligatory "good for you" speech, while I sulk and suffer while you have what I really wanted to order).
Now, after about 43 weeks of balanced eating, walking (then up to jogging, then doing a mud run!), introducing myself to the gym, and consciensely thinking about what, where, and how I'm eating, I have reached my goal weight. And the best part is... IT WASN'T HORRIBLE ! It was actually not as bad as I thought it would be.
When I look at the charts and graphs, I'm reminded that I could be content with maintaining weight during the holidays, and had lost weight when I was keeping to my routine week or month, and exercised regularly.
I am pleased with myself.. and my kids are proud of me, which is the greatest feeling ever. I now carry enough info in my brain to know what I should eat less of (which calories are worth my time and cravings, and which I am unwilling to use), and to figure out how many steps I've taken in a day, and that if I go over by 300 calories 2 or 3 times during the week, I know what to expect to see on the scale and not be shocked. I have maintained my goal weight for 3 weeks now.. and I know what I need to do if I want to see changes.
And it all started with a friend and an App
47 years old - 5'7
Starting weight 258 - Goal weight 175 - Total pounds lost 83

hollynono

You look terrific and I loved your post - thanks!

krisleed

Awesome! Thanks for sharing your story:-)

32kenny

You look amazing

tasleem2015

Amazing transformation.

skumar86

You look fab! Well done you x

galprincess

What a brilliant healthy attitude

CJsf1t

Lovevly story! You look amazing. Congratulations!!

ChiffonLaRue14

My goodness you are gorgeous!!! Thank you for sharing your inspiring story

rosnigetsfit

I love that April 2015 left pic pose! Cool

LHann360

Congratulations on your journey ! You're story is just the inspiration I needed this morning

coolbluecris

Great work!!! Soooo proud of you !!!

magairlin

Wow- you are wonderful and well done to your friend too for introducing you to the App. Keep it up. It's worth it.

suruda

Congratulations what a great year you've had! Nice work!

Funship

You look absolutely stunning! Thanks for sharing your story, so encouraging!!!

mmnv79

You look amazing! Well done!

Sherbear0123

What an inspirational success! Thank you for sharing!

cathipa

Such a great inspiration! Thanks for sharing and hope others starting read! You look amazing!

InsanityForMe

Congrats!! you look amazing! like a teenager!!

enterdanger

Thank you for sharing and congratulations. You look wonderful and I bet you feel even better!

WranglerMichelle

Outstanding results! Never would have guessed you were 47 with two kids in college.

Something else I liked about your post - most people DO NOT want to hear that they have to track calories. They want to hear (what they think is) the easiest possible solution. Personally, I don't think there's anything hard about tracking calories, but lots of people I have told about CICO go, "Oh. Well that's not for me." So good for you!

kraft_kris

Congrats! You look uh-MAZ-ing.

LOL'd at this:

LyndaLee68 wrote: »

Hey, we went out to dinner with friends and I didn't have to order the obvious "i'm trying to loose weight, so I'll just have the salad.... (now give me the obligatory "good for you" speech, while I sulk and suffer while you have what I really wanted to order).
[

Cortneyrenee04

You look so incredible and happy! Congrats!

Seatown_Gal

Thanks for sharing and congratulations!

sun_fish

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing your story, it is very inspiring.

Dorychumb

They should use your story as a commercial! Congrats!

LuckyMe2017

Great work!

brynnsmom

Great post and awesome results.

MrsMizart

Blinking brilliant lass!

taraleen

Thank you for the inspiration! Your story makes me want to keep going! You look amazing!

LyndaLee68

Thank you everyone for the kind comments. I have a feeling that plateuing and maintaining are going to be just as much a challenge to do. Had to set lots of mini-goals and short-term goals along the way...and wore out walking shoes and headphones. Still very weird running into people I haven't seen in a year and having them freak out. It's all good, and will take some getting used to. Feeling very encouraged and blessed.