My journey...

angelkiss7

Several years ago my friend introduced me to MFP, and I loved the simplicity of it. Being able to eat my own food but in smaller portions and holding myself accountable. I was trying to lose weight for my wedding and I got down pretty low (for me at least) and I was so proud because I felt beautiful on my wedding day. As that passed so had my focus. With the stress of my job and getting comfortable with life, the weight “crept” back on and the next thing I know I have gained all the weight back and then some. So I got myself back on and lost 40 pounds again in a little over 6 months. But my cycle was doomed to repeat, and yet again, I gained all the weight back and then some. It was getting to that time that all my friends were getting married and my husband and I started thinking of starting a family. I found myself returning to MFP to help the next step of my life. In about 7 months I dropped over 50 pounds and looked fabulous in my bridesmaids dresses (I had 5 weddings that summer/fall and I was in 2 of them). It also helped me attain my dream. My husband and I welcomed our son in July of 2015. (And unfortunately a 50 pound weight gain, dropping 25 of it after I had him). With a new administration coming in, I felt like I had to go back to school that fall, and literally 6 weeks after having my son I was back in the classroom. Last year was my most stressful year, basically carrying my counterpart’s job and workload as well as my own. Before I knew it, I had ballooned back up, gaining 55 pounds. As you can probably see, I have an unhealthy relationship with food, and weight seems to me like I was its’ magnet. After having that lovely conversation with my doctor that I had known for less than 2 years that “maybe I should consider doing something about it,” I was upset but turned to food. A few weeks later, I was meeting up with my friends and one told me that she was getting back on her diet and was in a competition. Now here I am, all ready to order a nice pork chop and sides and here these two are ordering salads. That was my jumping off point, and I ordered a salad along with them. It wasn’t until a week later that I stepped on the scale to find that I had reached my heaviest in my entire life. I immediately got back into myfitnesspal. April 24, 2017 is the last time I ever hope to see the numbers that I did. Now, I’ll admit that I don’t always make the best choices, but I hold my self accountable and log all of my food, even the bad things, even the times that I eat more than my calories. On Thanksgiving I participated in my first 5k, and finished in 45 minutes. (I did absolutely no training today except the walking I do around my classroom throughout the day). A year ago it probably would have taken me 45 minutes to walk a mile. My goal is to take it one step at a time and maybe break through 40 minutes.

Today I broke through my halfway point. One more milestone crushed, one more step closer on my journey. 44.4 pounds down and 44 more left to go. Two major milestones are just within my reach- 50 pounds and a new leading number). I’m going after them as if my life depended on, because in reality it does. To all my friends on MFP, I am so proud of the accomplishments you have made. We all know that we are in a fight, but it’s the battle worth fighting for because it’s for our life, our happiness and for our future. (My goal is to look better than my picture as that is me after my 2nd time on.)

JoeCWV

Your post highlights the basic fact that achieving goals are really about 90% mental. You have the knowledge, and the ability to eat at a healthy intake. You have the knowledge and ability to maintain a healthy weight. You have the knowledge and ability to achieve your physical fitness goals.

We all have those abilities. What those of us who struggle have is a lack of fortitude. At my heaviest I weighted 265 pounds. as a male in my fifties I had been heave all my life. One day I decided to lose weight. I discovered MFP and decided to apply it and see if I could get down to at least 230.

Well, about 9 months later, I was at 190. I maintained at about 190 (185-195) from November 2014 until December of 2016 when I went sideways. I luckily caught myself at 200 pounds. I stuck at about 200 pounds until recently when I decided to get back into the 190 range. It has taken me since October until now to lose about 3 pounds.

The difference now is that I only have a few pounds I want to lose, and I am much more physically fit. When I started in 2014 I couldn't run around the block. Today my usual run is five miles. I also do some weight training to help keep strong.

I got on kind of a rant to say that the difference between me now, and when I allowed myself to be fat is my mental outlook. Prior to 2014 healthy weight and fitness were not a priority. Now they are. It makes a world of difference. I hope your new goals will be reached and you can continue to keep yourself well as a priority in your life.

angelkiss7

Hi Joe!

Thank you! I completely agree that it is my mental outlook. I know that as I get older the weight will become more and more difficult to come off. I’m 33, but it’s a challenge I have faced my entire adult life. I need to stay focused on what my priorities are, and that’s being there for my 2 year old. Thank you for your story and support and my best wishes to you as you continue on your journey!