One Year into my journey!

tinamarie6624

I am now 50 years old and on January 2, 2016 I was 378 Lbs. I was my own worst enemy. In 1997 I had lost 130 Lbs and arrived to my goal weight with the help of herbal weight loss products. Once I was done losing the weight I was involved in a relationship and I stopped doing the things that had helped me lose the weight. I didn't exercise on a daily basis and I thought I could go back to my old eating patterns. In 1997 I was 115 Lbs and slowly gained it all back and more. I would try dieting again but nothing helped and I would always get to the "what the heck" stage when I didn't lose as much as I thought I should have or when I ate something I shouldn't have. For years my family tried to get me to lose weight but as evidenced by my increasing weight I would not do anything to help myself. I didn't realize at the time but I must have been in a depression that even I couldn't get myself out of. I wouldn't go anywhere, I wouldn't see friends and family and I got to the point where I could barely walk to the bathroom without getting winded. I was at the point where I was afraid I was going to get stuck in my bathtub because I was so fat.

Just to be clear, the only person who was responsible for my weight problem was me. I had an excuse for everything, why I couldn't exercise, why I couldn't diet or the old favorite "I will start my diet on Monday or after the holidays or my favorite "It's too late to lose the weight by summer so what’s the point."

I don't know if I can pin point a time where I thought, "I need to lose weight". But on January 2, 2016 I decided I was going to try to eat better. That was all. I started working on my diet and about a week later a friend told me about MFP and I've been logging faithfully since then.

I lost some weight and I started to feel better about myself but I began to think about the journey that I was beginning and freaked myself out because I suddenly thought it would be about 2 or 2 1/2 years before I could eat anything I like again. I started to panic and I felt like I was suddenly out on a ledge and ready to fall. I calmed myself down and made a deal with myself that if I wanted something to eat, I would eat it and deal with the consequences later. If I wanted to eat pizza or have a nice steak dinner, I would. It might take a little longer but I would eventually get to my goal. For some reason that helped to get my head on straight and I've lost 160 Lbs in a year. I am now at 218, I feel much better and over the summer I got out and did active things like taking a walk at the beach, going to amusement parks and hanging out with my family and friends again. I am so much happier now than I was before and I don’t know if I express the complete feeling.

I started exercising in March when the mood struck me. I started with 10 minutes of just stepping in place and I felt so good afterward that I did another 15 minutes. In April, I started going for walks and setting better physical goals for myself. I now exercise for at least an hour and a half a day and walk every Saturday for about an hour or so. Earlier in the year, my family and I went for a hike for 3 hours, up hills and down. It was hard but I did it and it made me feel so empowered.

Early on in my dieting, I told myself that I was only going to eat foods that tasted good to me. I follow through with that to this day. My dinner portion is very small but good. I eat a lot of fruit as a supplement. I've done this the right way this time, nothing but my own will power and motivation. I must admit, I still have to talk myself off the ledge every once in a while when things seem to be going badly but I'm doing it.

As far the exercise goes, when I first started, I would ask myself if I felt like exercising. Truthfully, the answer was never yes and so I stopped asking and my new outlook was born. I don't ask if I feel like it, I just do it – no excuses. When I eat something that I probably shouldn't have, I just deal with it the next day. Funny thing is that I've never had to eat a pizza or go out for a nice steak dinner. I just know the option is open if I ever need it.

I still have 103 Lbs to go but I know I'll make it because I just do it - no excuses. I have found in this year that I am so much stronger than I ever thought I could be.

I remember back to where I was in December 2015 and I am so thankful that I have come such a long way. I am finding myself again and I am very happy. When I get to my goal, I will be even happier.

One thing I have discovered is that this is a lifetime journey. Once I finish the weight loss, I will be in maintenance part of my journey.

I hope this helps and know that anyone who wants my help just has to reach out and I’m more than willing to encourage, talk, commiserate when needed and find joy in your accomplishments.
Tina Marie Noel

griffinca2

I think you look fantastic and have done an outstanding job!! Congrats!! You are one of the few people who've hit on the fact that if you want a steak or a piece of pizza, eat and enjoy every bite. You are doing a great job of making your own eating plan that works for you, so many people miss that as well. Take it one day at a time and you will reach your goal, just enjoy yourself and don't think you can't eat ____, because you can; just eat a small piece and put the rest up.

hrod215

"I don't just ask, I just do it." So true! So often we have this inner battle when we give ourself that opportunity to choose. I still struggle with this sometimes. I begin the inner discussion then I'm like NO! You are going, that's final! Lol. Congrats on all of your hard work. Wishing you the very best on the rest of your journey.

SweetP27

Very inspiring. Thank you for sharing!!!!

woznube7

Thanks for sharing!!!

I feel very similar to what you have felt. I am slowly changing my ways. I hope to have success too. You are doing fantastic!

lorrpb

"As far the exercise goes, when I first started, I would ask myself if I felt like exercising. Truthfully, the answer was never yes and so I stopped asking and my new outlook was born. I don't ask if I feel like it, I just do it – no excuses. "

THIS attitude is why you will get to your goal! No doubt about it. Habit. Discipline. Not feelings. I hope you save this statement and post it in every "I need motivation" thread you see.