If you started your journey January 2019, how is it going?

stricklee11

It's almost July! Just wanted to check in with fellow January 2019 starters to see how everyone's doing.

Did you hit any roadblocks along the way?

What are some things you've learned about yourself and weight loss these past 6 months?

How close are you to reaching your goal?

ConfidentRaven

stricklee11 wrote: »

It's almost July! Just wanted to check in with fellow January 2019 starters to see how everyone's doing.

Did you hit any roadblocks along the way?

What are some things you've learned about yourself and weight loss these past 6 months?

How close are you to reaching your goal?

I hit a couple of minor road blocks and a two day eat all the food binge, otherwise though I’ve been doing pretty good. My step count on a low day is about 6x higher than when I started and 12x higher on an active day. I’m really happy with how much more I’ve started doing.

I’ve learned what foods work well to keep me from over eating and what foods just aren’t worth trying to fit in on a regular basis. I’ve also figured out situations and foods that will lead to a binge and I’m still working toward learning some better habits.

I am a long way from my overall weight loss goal, but I’m on track for what I want to lose this year.

@stricklee11 how is your year going so far?

Dreamwa1ker

I'm 5'6". I started at 155. My original goal was 135, and I hit that a couple weeks ago! I had picked this goal because it was right in the middle of the healthy BMI range, it was the weight I was when I got married, before I had a baby and before some work stress of the last year or two. I decided I would like to have a little more wiggle room before fully switching to maintenance, so that 135 could be top of the maintenance range, so I'm shooting more for 130 now but a little slower pace.

Within the last few pounds is where I really started to dramatically see the changes in how I look. I'm down about 3-4 pants sizes, my stomach is not perfectly flat and probably never will be (c-section pooch) but it is definitely much smaller and doesn't stick out anymore - so looks flat in clothes that fit my figure. That is where I have always tended to hold weight most stubbornly so I was thrilled about the inches that came off. I bought better fitting clothes and suddenly am getting compliments on the weight loss. I feel much more confident about how I look.

My blood pressure has gone down a few points without increasing medication.

This was about the 3rd time I've lost some weight using MyFitnessPal (one of those was when I lost the weight after having a baby) but I've never stuck with it so long, my results had never been this good, and I'd never been able to get rid of the extra 10 lbs I had even before getting pregnant - and I did it this time. I think it finally clicked that it was literally just math and I was able to take away stress/guilt over WHAT I ate. I was much more consistent and rigorous (food scale!) in my logging this time. It was also the first time I looked to macros to help figure out what makes me personally stay full, and took it slower and steadier. I made sure to eat things I really enjoy so I wouldn't go crazy. So I'm hopeful I can keep this consistent through the rest of the year (losing a couple more pounds and then sticking steady in maintenance)! When I've stopped logging in the past is where my weight creeped back up over the course of a year or so - so I'm going to make sure to keep my logging habit this time even when I'm in maintenance. It feels more like a lifestyle change this time and I hope to keep it up.

stricklee11

@ConfidentRaven I'm glad you're on track for the year! It's crazy how keeping a food diary makes a world of difference for weight loss. You can establish patterns, see what works and what doesn't keep you full. I think the toughest is logging in after a binge. Really helps keeping you accountable.

As for me, I hit a month long rough patch but I'm back on track now. Still averaging my 1lb a week loss. I'm down almost 28 lbs and finally starting to see a change physically. Still not where I need to be but I am hoping to reach my goal by the end of the year. I have a sneaking suspicion I might hit another rough patch around the holidays.

stricklee11

@Dreamwa1ker It's crazy how simple it is! Like you said, it's just math. The toughest part is finding the right mix of food that keep you full. Congrats on being so close to maintenance

Samantharavenclaw84

What a neat idea for a thread. I started in mid January and lost 30 pounds by the end of May. I gained 4 pounds in June due to lack of logging, free for all eating and not moving my body. I'm back on track over the last few days though and am determined to slay the rest of 2019. I have about 90 more pounds to lose. I've learned that I work much better with goals and reward (gotta get outside to train for that 5K, 1 more pound and I'm gonna get a pedicure, etc.). I also learned that I CAN be a person who wakes up early and works out. I just need to actually set my mind to it.

Good luck to everyone on this thread.

Allgaun

I'm sticking it out.
Down about 26 lbs but having a hard time.
My weight has been going up and down 2 lbs for over a month! I'm weighing my food but I think my lack of height (5'2") isn't helping. Originally I put down 2 lbs a week and got 1200 K. Couldn't stick to it so I raised it to 1.5 lbs...1200 calories, 1lb? you guessed it 1200 calories! So I changed it to .5 and now I get a whopping 1220!

This week I signed up for water aerobics 3 times a week, hopefully more exercise will help.

getrealgirl

I started (again!) on 1-1-19. Yesterday, I hit goal! 21 lbs down in time to turn 50 next week. This will be the last time I do this. I already know maintenance takes just as much effort as losing and I am ready this time 😊

brittlb07

Thanks for posting this! Started at 146. Now at 123. I have 8 more pounds to go! Short 5’4’’ female! Slow and steady.

Evelyn_ish

I have lost 40 pounds since 1/1/2019...Doing good, I have 21 more pounds to go to meet my first goal...I will always have a goal, and I will always be on MFP...

uglydogfarmer

I started mid Jan at 344 pounds. I have lost 75 pounds so far and would like to lose another 70. I ran my first 5k last weekend and plan to run another the weekend of the 4th. I bought a road bike recently and have aspiration of competing in a sprinter triathlon at some point.

slbbw

I started mid January with a fitness challenge at my gym. Was able to drop 23 lbs in the first 8 weeks, won the challenge, but realized the rate of loss was too fast. Slowed it down a bit and lost another 12 lbs by mid may for 35 total. Switched gyms, started running again and am slotted to lose another 8 lbs for about 42 total and should be switching to maintenance right at the 6 month mark. I probably have some recomp to do still, but I am feeling great. I have set a long term goal to keep logging for the full year and maintain the weight through at least Jan 2021.

Feedakie

stricklee11 wrote: »

It's almost July! Just wanted to check in with fellow January 2019 starters to see how everyone's doing.

Did you hit any roadblocks along the way?

What are some things you've learned about yourself and weight loss these past 6 months?

How close are you to reaching your goal?

Well, I've been doing great. I lost 10 pounds since January and I'm trying to lose another 3-5 lbs. After I reach that goal of mine, I'll do whatever is necessary to maintain a healthy weight. Which in my case is between 125 and 128.

I've started seriously taking care of my health 2 years ago but I did it at my own pace, slowly.

Needless to say that I'm very happy to have dropped from 150 lbs to 130. So I keep going and will reach my main goal in a month.

Orphia

Hi, all! Good to see you have stuck with your New Year Resolutions. Great idea for a thread, @stricklee11 !


Pardon me for stepping in like a know-it-all, but I thought I'd try and help you keep going.

I lost 80 lb in my first year, and have been now logging everything in MFP a total of 4 years 2 months, and maintained my goal range.

After I'd been here for a couple of months, I read this by @Matahairi , and realised the need to log for life:

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/21384954/#Comment_21384954

Matahairi wrote: »

There is a great book I read called "Thin for Life". It gives great examples of how people maintained their weight loss over years. My best advice? Make MFP part of your life just like checking your email, voicemail, and bank balance, etc every day.

What I tell my patients who want to lose weight and maintain is this:
Think of tracking your intake and exercise is like tracking your checking account. Would you ever go to a store and swipe your debit card without ever knowing what your balance is to spend or what the price of the item your buying is? Eating without tracking is exactly this.

Who would ever go to Best Buy and just start writing a check for the prettiest washer and dryer or fanciest computer just because you were "hungry to have one"? Blind eating is just like blind spending.

Would any of us irresponsibly ask the question, "Hey when can I stop checking my balance at the bank? It's getting old seeing how much money I have or don't have every day . I just want to relax and spend freely and assume that I have unlimited funds available". Or how about, "Hey, I'm going on vacation for 2 weeks...can't I just blow a bunch of cash that I don't have and just worry about the overdraft fees later when I get home?"

I would hope not.

Your friendly Registered Dietitian

Reading that has stuck with me ever since. This is my 4 year anniversary Success Story with my tips on how to be successful:

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10738355/4-years-using-mfp-12-months-losing-80-lb-then-3-years-keeping-it-off

Scallyboo

hi all, I too started in Jan this year at 168lbs. The highest I've ever been. I'm 5ft 2". This was hard to swallow as I've always been athletic and sporty but RA flair ups and mental health issues just made the weight pile on.
6 months later I am a different person. I got back onto running and train three times a week. A friend started with me so its great to help her achieve her running goals too.
It took me 4.5 months to lose 12 pounds. It was a hard fight. Middle of May I joined Team RH on facebook. I did it to support my cousin, who was joining too with 60pounds to lose. This was the turning point for me.
Roughly 6 weeks later I am another 10 pounds down. Current weight 147. I can see light at the end of the tunnel and I feel great. Almost back into my small size clothes and just doing well in general. My GW is 131lbs so another 16lbs to go. I'm still far away from a healthy BMI range so that's a motivation for me too.
Great thread OP!

Orphia

Allgaun wrote: »

I'm sticking it out.
Down about 26 lbs but having a hard time.
My weight has been going up and down 2 lbs for over a month! I'm weighing my food but I think my lack of height (5'2") isn't helping. Originally I put down 2 lbs a week and got 1200 K. Couldn't stick to it so I raised it to 1.5 lbs...1200 calories, 1lb? you guessed it 1200 calories! So I changed it to .5 and now I get a whopping 1220!

This week I signed up for water aerobics 3 times a week, hopefully more exercise will help.

@Allgaun

Hugs!

Please don't stress out about weight going up and down 2 lbs. Weight goes up and down normally! Even more when exercising! This is all separate to fat stores. Water weight rises and falls are due to food, salt, exercise, hormones, fibre, water, stress levels, and probably more. All normal! Not to mention muscle gain/loss affecting weight too.

Make sure you're taking measurements, taking photos, trying on clothes, and asking others. The scale can be an unreliable measure of success.

Weight loss is not linear. You must read this essential thread's opening post:

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10084670/it-is-unlikely-that-you-will-lose-weight-consistently-i-e-weight-loss-is-not-linear/p1

kymmixxx

Also started Jan at 189lb down to 135, another 15-20 to go

koalathebear

I started in early January, getting a personal trainer and joining a gym. I started being careful with calories consumed and started doing a lot of cardio and strength training. I have been trying to walk our dogs every day or do Just Dance. I also do zumba once a week.

I at 150cm tall and my starting weight was 86.6kg. As of today I am around 59.9kg. Goal weight is 50kg so a week ago I adjusted MFP to slow down my weight loss a little, dropping it to 0.5kg a week given that in recent weeks I've been allowing myself to eat a bit more i.e reducing the deficit.

Health and strength-wise I'm going ok. I can now plank for two minutes, I can jog a little on my walks, I can walk up a hill without feeling like I'm going to die and I have more endurance at cardio. I'm still hopeless and uncoordinated at zumba but I don't feel like I have to hide in the back row or behind other people anymore.

I've dropped quite a few clothing sizes, going down from 18, 16, 14 ... I'm now a 10 or an 8 for my top and around a 10/12 for my bottom half.

Measurement-wise I'm doing well:
- chest: was 46 inches, now 34 inches
- waist: was 36 inches, now 28 inches
- hips: was 45 inches now 35 inches

The 3-4 very large fat rolls around my stomach and waist have now reduced to one not too big fat roll haha and for the first time in a very very long time, I can wear trousers again that don't have an elastric/stretchy waist. It used to be so uncomfortable for me to wear fitted pants because my butt was too big and my fat rolls stretched the waistband too much ..

It's been challenging. It took me a while to figure out the right balance of food to allow me to feel full/happy and still lose weight. It took me some time to get to the point of being comfortable enough to continue to eat the foods I wanted so long as I stayed within my calorie budget. I thought I plateaued a couple of times but ended up continuing to lose weight steadily. It certainly hasn't been easy and I've had to work really hard but I can see goal weight in sight and am staying motivated.

amskinner87

I started on 1st January at 201lb (I'm 5ft 5.5). As of this morning I'm 159lb. My goal is 136lb so another 23 to go. Started at a size 18 (UK) trousers and now in a 14 and may be moving down to a 12 in the not too distant future.

It's all been going really well but it always feels like I'm stalling/the weight is hardly coming off. It's only when I look back at photos or do the math on my weekly loss rate that I realise it's all happening pretty quickly really.

If I'm honest I'm very bored of the discipline required to measure and log everything and stay under my calorie goal. I'm not normally hungry but I'd just like to be able to relax, you know?

I still eat everything I want to which I think has massively helped me quit my binging and my calorie goal for the day isn't too low

Hopefully by end 2019 I'll be done and into the fun of maintenance.

MarisaMSimon

I started on December 10th but because of the holidays I gained all the weight back on vacation. Since January 1st, I have lost 24 pounds and I still have about 46 to go. Slow and steady, but I'm happy with this body so far!
I'm having issues with my TOM weight greatly impacting my weight loss but overall I'm losing at a rate of 0.9 pounds a week while I have it set to lose 1.5 pounds.