2 years later: For the lurkers update
zyxst
Posts: 9,149 Member
My original success story - http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10316526/for-the-lurkers-173-lost-pics-numbers/p1
TL;DR - My life is in shambles, but I kept the weight off. Still a success?
2016, I spent "finding maintenance" and lost an additional 10#.
2017, I knew my weight range (129-133#), had a good grasp on calorie intake (high in summer because WARM, low in winter because COLD AF aka SLOTH MODE). I had a lot of stressors, too. First time to a podiatrist (stranger carves feet with scalpel). Went to a dentist for mucho dental work (I have fear of dentists from horrific childhood dentist).
June 2017 I stopped birth control and peri-menopause begins (hormonal balancing FUN). Now I get the classic symptom of
once a month.
July 2017 brought a bombshell. I had to accept my marriage is, essentially over. We're now roommates who share hugs. My depression hit a high (low?). My Raynauds and eczema are worse (blue, itchy fingers, OH BOY!). I overeat at least once a week (3,000 - 4,000 calorie days; maintenance is 1900ish).
October 2017 brought my 47th birthday, an IDGAF eating day, and the subsequent weight gain that I could not drop for 5 weeks.
November 2017 my first colonoscopy! I feared this as do most people. They say the prep is the worst part. I had no problem with the prep. The dietary changes were nice, albeit boring, and I probably took it too far cutting out 99% fruits and vegs (ate mashed potatoes and polenta). I lost the weight I'd gained on my birthday (YAY) during this. The prep liquid (I had it cold) was ...good? I got it down just fine (was worried I'd be puking due to another childhood trauma). Busted a diet myth, too. I DO NOT HAVE 7 POUNDS OF UNDIGESTED MEAT IN MY COLON. My weight before The Purge: 131# Weight day of colonoscopy: 130.2#. I learned I have a twisty colon, either from having extra colon or my OB/GYN stuffed things around when I had my Caesarean. The procedure, which is supposedly easy, was extremely painful.
December 2017 Xmas and Boxing Day IDGAF (really, really DGAF). Gained 7.4#.
January 2018 Rang in the new year at 137.4#. Just under my OGW of 140#
Today, I weighed in at 134.4#. Lost nearly half the holiday gains.
What do I want to say, or have you take away from this? I seem like a success story on the outside, but it's constant, daily-diligence WORK. My slip-ups are too often and I struggle way more than I should.
TL;DR - My life is in shambles, but I kept the weight off. Still a success?
2016, I spent "finding maintenance" and lost an additional 10#.
2017, I knew my weight range (129-133#), had a good grasp on calorie intake (high in summer because WARM, low in winter because COLD AF aka SLOTH MODE). I had a lot of stressors, too. First time to a podiatrist (stranger carves feet with scalpel). Went to a dentist for mucho dental work (I have fear of dentists from horrific childhood dentist).
June 2017 I stopped birth control and peri-menopause begins (hormonal balancing FUN). Now I get the classic symptom of
once a month.
July 2017 brought a bombshell. I had to accept my marriage is, essentially over. We're now roommates who share hugs. My depression hit a high (low?). My Raynauds and eczema are worse (blue, itchy fingers, OH BOY!). I overeat at least once a week (3,000 - 4,000 calorie days; maintenance is 1900ish).
October 2017 brought my 47th birthday, an IDGAF eating day, and the subsequent weight gain that I could not drop for 5 weeks.
November 2017 my first colonoscopy! I feared this as do most people. They say the prep is the worst part. I had no problem with the prep. The dietary changes were nice, albeit boring, and I probably took it too far cutting out 99% fruits and vegs (ate mashed potatoes and polenta). I lost the weight I'd gained on my birthday (YAY) during this. The prep liquid (I had it cold) was ...good? I got it down just fine (was worried I'd be puking due to another childhood trauma). Busted a diet myth, too. I DO NOT HAVE 7 POUNDS OF UNDIGESTED MEAT IN MY COLON. My weight before The Purge: 131# Weight day of colonoscopy: 130.2#. I learned I have a twisty colon, either from having extra colon or my OB/GYN stuffed things around when I had my Caesarean. The procedure, which is supposedly easy, was extremely painful.
December 2017 Xmas and Boxing Day IDGAF (really, really DGAF). Gained 7.4#.
January 2018 Rang in the new year at 137.4#. Just under my OGW of 140#
Today, I weighed in at 134.4#. Lost nearly half the holiday gains.
What do I want to say, or have you take away from this? I seem like a success story on the outside, but it's constant, daily-diligence WORK. My slip-ups are too often and I struggle way more than I should.
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Replies
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Good post, because when we lose the weight keeping it in check never ends and then there's the reality of lifes ups and downs too.
I'm approaching year 5 of maintenance, had some weight creep in the first few years since reaching goal but the way I eat now has become so much of a routine I no longer gain weight but happily stay in my range by a few lbs.
Thanks for posting and hoping 2018 is a good year for you after all you've been through.6 -
Welcome to the (peri)menopause club! Don't forget we have a nice group here.
Thanks for sharing your update! (your prep was much more civilized than mine!)1 -
Frankly, with what you've had to deal with, I would consider that your weight management has been pretty successful!
To me, maintaining is like constantly trying to hold back a freight train. It helps if you've developed new habits, food style, lifestyle, etc. while on the weight loss ride, because it's very easy to slip up and let your guard down. Sometimes, it's just tiring to have this weight thing on your mind all the time, every day, day in/day out. My general tendencies to rationalize a piece of cake here, a chocolate whatever there, a handful of chips, etc. (which got me into the too-overweight category before) are strong and it's a constant battle to just say no, or moderate moderate moderate. Ugh. When I was seeing success in losing, it was much more motivating. I've found that the 10-12 pound creep I've had over the past couple years is WAY harder to lose than those same pounds were at the end of my weight loss journey. They're always "the hardest," but now it just seems impossible.
I don't know why I wrote the above debbie-downer stuff, maybe only to say you're not alone; and to also say that your post actually inspired me to step up to the plate and deal, because you did and you continue to deal. Truly, "nevertheless, you persisted." Thanks for posting.7 -
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Bad year, huh? Well thank god we're in a new one. You've got a great success story and I hope it continues. Remember we never know what (or who) is around the corner. Wishing you a great 2018!3
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A great and very honest post here. I took off 50 pounds for my wedding 2 1/2 years ago. I am back on the wagon again because I'm up 10 pounds. That was just for not logging for 4 months!! WTH? I really did not want to log for the rest of my life when I started this journey. Yeah, life slips right back into the pictures as soon as you stop looking for a second. Its a constant battle so you just have to decide if you want the battle or you want to go back to fat. I will step on the scale again tomorrow (weigh in Wednesdays
) and hopefully a few of those 10 will have come off in the last 9 or 10 days since I started being careful once again. 3 -
I would like to say that I love your Red Green meme hahaha.
Congrats on your hard work - it's really impressive and gives me a great deal of hope that I can adapt and overcome when I reach your stage.2 -
Thank you for the update Zyxst, always a pleasure to read your posts, your "dark honesty" as someone so aptly described it above. I can well imagine how nimble and resourceful (and strong!) you've been to stay one step ahead in the weight loss maintenance racket, given what a struggle it has been. I wasn't tormented by any cravings during the year I spent losing weight, because I just ate lower calorie foods, but when I reached maintenance and had so many more "calorie dollars" to spend, and introduced TREATS, well!!! Hello cravings, torment, and binges!
As I ponder how??? some people can eat a single serving of some treat and feel satisfied, the closest I come to understanding them is when I think of the fabled alcoholic who has achieved sobriety and decides to go into a bar for just one drink... and we all know how that ends... anyway, I have never had much of a taste for alcohol, and would have no trouble at all walking away from a half-full first glass...
Anyhow, makes sense to me that you're taking note of all the torment, the collateral damage so to speak, that can accompany maintenance... me too. Here's hoping it somehow gets easier. Wishing you all good things in 2018!
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I love your post! I am no where near maintenance, at least not right now. I was, however, at my ideal weight about 6-7 years ago. I am determined to make a go at it again as I am now the heaviest I have EVER been (yes, even when I was pregnant). This is hard to admit. Needless to say, I am back and have found dedication to ME, not an easy task as I have 4 'babies' at home..a full-time job I commute to..and a full-time student. But, something has to give. I CANNOT be lax any longer. And I truly appreciate posts like this where this is raw honesty, ownership, and seeing that there is success.
Have a great day!4 -
Wanted to let people know I'm still working on it. I haven't disappeared or died or gained back everything. I've been bothered by success stories here and never knowing if the people were okay.4 -
@zyxst Sometimes you never know who you reach.
2 years ago I began using MFP (Feb 1,.2016) and there were 3 Success Stories I bookmarked to go back to every time I was frustrated. USMCMP, Heidi (I dont remember her user name at the moment) and YOU. So, please know that I am grateful to you even though we have never met because my 80+ pound loss was a success because people who succeeded are a source of encouragement to people who want to.
A few things we have in common: We are the same age. I turned 47 in October of last year, too. Peri-
menopause...ain't it grand? The slow death of a marriage...arrgh! Dentists...just, no. And the IDGAF of the last month. Take heart! You are not alone.
Hugs to you and peace for the journey!12 -
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I really appreciate the love? from y'all. I'm just sitting here stuffing my piehole with the rest of my Xmas chocolates (about 3,000 calories) and mulling over the irony of me being a "success".
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Great post. I am so happy that you have managed to retain your sense of humor and weight loss! Plus you made me lmao.1
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Isn't it funny how our successes never come in the form or at the time we plan?3
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I'd never seen your original Success Story before. Super awesome (with a cape)!1
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I've missed you.
That was one tough year for a first year of maintenance. If you can make it through that you can make it through anything. (I felt like adding New York, New York, and breaking out dancing typing that)
I think you have an excellent handle on maintenance- we are human and IDGAF days happen. Enjoy all that chocolate.
I love it that you took the time to do an honest update.
Cheers, h.5 -
139# today. 3 weeks to gain what took a year to lose. Also learned what "success" means to/for me:
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