40 years old + 32 weeks = 50 pounds lost (with photos & tricks/tips)
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So glad to see you are able to make significant progress and have been able to stick to your new way of life. Although I did not struggle with as weight as as you have but all your advices have been a reflection of my experiences with calorie control. I have been overweight (BMI 26-30) throughout my adult life and it was always bugging me that I was not putting my health in priority. Since last year, I have been tracking what I eat, when I eat, replacing food that are not "filling" and doing all sorts of things as my body is responding to it.
The greatest thing that has happened is the shift in my attitude and my thinking about being healthy. Initially it was about a temporary goal to get a certain health point with a thought at the back of my mind that once I reach there I no longer need to watch my eating habits or exercise schedule. This made me think subconsciously that I am denying myself something that I want. Now my thinking is that this is how I am supposed to live - I have realized that it is a way of life - prudence in what you eat, making wise choices and don't put too many conditions on yourself - if you fail for a day - don't worry. And now it does not feel constraining anymore. I don't drink soda and eat meat since quite a few years but I never feel like I am denying myself those things now. I just feel like that items are bad for me and I should not do it. It is like an automatic sensory thing - don't jump from here or you your hand fractured. I can't describe that feeling but this wonderful shift has made me so much more content with my life. I did not pursue this shift in attitude - it just happened!
Reading your blog entry made me think that I am not alone facing issues with my health - So THANK YOU!!2 -
Great Job! I love when people post side by sides. Mine will be up here one day, promise. I hear you on the limited because of weight issue. I am slower than everyone else at my job I think bc I am the only obese person there. I am determined to do better, and now I feel weight loss HAS to be priority. Cheers!!!1
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Your story is so motivating and has great information. I know I will be returning to read it again. You are beautiful and what a great example you are setting for your daughter.1
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Awesome work! We are in somewhat similar positions, and a lot of your tips resonate with me. Looks like I've been doing "volume eating" on my own because I've been trying to pick nutrient dense, filling foods that don't load me down on calories. It's working for me too - I'm 41, 79 pounds down, and am 43 weeks in. When I'm done I'll have lost half of myself too! So let's hear it for sticking it out and reaching our goals!4
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You look great and you give great advice!1
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Congratulations, You are exactly the story I needed to read this morning! I had my weigh-in and I'm down 54 pounds since 5/1/20. I'm hopeful to start blogging about it to keep me accountability and gain some encouragement because it's certainly tough doing it by yourself and staying motivated. Keep pushing and you will definitely reach your goals!2
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This is awesome, you are a true inspiration. Finally someone whose gone through this weight loss journey that I can relate to. Counting calories is the easiest way for me to lose weight and still be able eat some of the foods that I enjoy, just in moderation. I love My Fitness Pal tracker, I always keep it close to me and track everything that I put in my mouth, even my vitamins. Keep up the great job, you can and will obtain your dream weight goal. By the way, no more diets for me, I now call it a lifestyle!!!!1
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Kudos to you. You've done an awesome job! Good tips as well. Thanks for sharing your story!1
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Tmrfrogger wrote: »Congratulations, You are exactly the story I needed to read this morning! I had my weigh-in and I'm down 54 pounds since 5/1/20. I'm hopeful to start blogging about it to keep me accountability and gain some encouragement because it's certainly tough doing it by yourself and staying motivated. Keep pushing and you will definitely reach your goals!
Absolutely - creating a community that "gets it" has been sooo helpful for me! My real-life friends and family are great, but they don't really know what to say or how to support me in this journey.0 -
Congratulations! I'm going to friend you. I'm starting back this week after letting things get out of control since getting pregnant with my first over 7 years ago. Prior to that I'd lost 51 lbs and, I was really feeling great about myself and, I'd gotten out of the dreaded obese BMI and, was really headed to a healthy BMI. My first goal is 10%, I have a follow up with my Dr. at the end of February to see how I'm doing with my weight/exercise/diet and, if I've not made significant changes she's going to run a slew of blood tests. I was very, very strict with my eating and, was working out a ton last time around. Almost the kind of time and, attention I can't lend this time around with 2 kids. But, I'm working on myself.1
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michellevt725 wrote: »I was very, very strict with my eating and, was working out a ton last time around.
Yes, life is different when you are parenting, hopefully, you will find a way to lose without losing your joy while parenting around chicken nuggets and chips. Its a different ball game for sure. Happy to be friends.
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So well done and thanks for sharing your story!!! Commitment and consistency is where it is at, not perfection. You've got the right attitude. I totally LOL'd your gaining weight with your kids that arrived via foster/adoption. I relate to that story. Blessings to you!1
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michellevt725 wrote: »I was very, very strict with my eating and, was working out a ton last time around.
Yes, life is different when you are parenting, hopefully, you will find a way to lose without losing your joy while parenting around chicken nuggets and chips. Its a different ball game for sure. Happy to be friends.
Luckily my kids are super healthy eaters. My PCOS is a major hurdle and, I feel like I'm constantly under a time crunch. I'm hoping going to winter hours at work will allow me to feel like I can use that extra hour I'm home early to get a quick workout in. Thanks for accepting my friend request.
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15 years younger
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Congratulations! You look fabulous.
Your post was incredibly motivating & insightful.
~ From one Alisa to another!
(Not only do we share a name but a current weight.) 1 -
Wow, what a beautiful transformation 1
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Do u ever have a cheat day or go over yr calories?0
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danajobe64 wrote: »Do u ever have a cheat day or go over yr calories?
Oh for sure. But I try to be as consistent as I can. And when I go over my calories I just do the next day the same as normal. Start every day fresh and not in a hole.
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I have been doing volume eating as well but wasn't sure what it was called. I can stay in a good calorie deficit by eating pumpkin, lentils, broccoli, tuna, chicken, berries, and things like that. I thought it was just a natural response to calorie counting. Once I figured out what some of the lower-calorie foods were, I just kept eating more of those.2
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OMG I love reading this. I'm stuck! I lost 20lbs almost doing nothing but getting a job and doing normal active stuff. Then I began to workout, watch my calories (walk and run) and I can't seem to lose anything. I'm always between up 1 or 2lbs and down the same 1 or 2 lbs. My goal is 135lbs and i'm now 176. I have small goals like to just see under 170 (169) and 10lb increments. I was easily losing 5lbs per month but for the last 5 months NOTHING! I'm tired all the time now. But I keep pushing it. I dont know what else to do, or how much longer i can motivate myself.
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Fantastic progress and really insightful and helpful post!1
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phatShaming wrote: »OMG I love reading this. I'm stuck! I lost 20lbs almost doing nothing but getting a job and doing normal active stuff. Then I began to workout, watch my calories (walk and run) and I can't seem to lose anything. I'm always between up 1 or 2lbs and down the same 1 or 2 lbs. My goal is 135lbs and i'm now 176. I have small goals like to just see under 170 (169) and 10lb increments. I was easily losing 5lbs per month but for the last 5 months NOTHING! I'm tired all the time now. But I keep pushing it. I dont know what else to do, or how much longer i can motivate myself.
This sounds really demotiviating. You might want to start your own thread so that people can advise?3 -
phatShaming wrote: »OMG I love reading this. I'm stuck! I lost 20lbs almost doing nothing but getting a job and doing normal active stuff. Then I began to workout, watch my calories (walk and run) and I can't seem to lose anything. I'm always between up 1 or 2lbs and down the same 1 or 2 lbs. My goal is 135lbs and i'm now 176. I have small goals like to just see under 170 (169) and 10lb increments. I was easily losing 5lbs per month but for the last 5 months NOTHING! I'm tired all the time now. But I keep pushing it. I dont know what else to do, or how much longer i can motivate myself.
Here you go. Copied from the original post.
“When I am asked for tips on weight loss, this is my response: You need to consistently be in a calorie deficit through diet. Not sexy, but effective. It helps me to take the emotion out of it - no good food. No bad food. Just calories.
“Find a calorie tracker that YOU like (I love My Fitness Pal) and be ruthlessly honest with it and yourself, on everything coming into your body. I aimed to lose 1.5lb a week, which was a doable amount. I did go "up" to a .5lb a week goal for a week and the extra calories were great, but I was ready to hit it harder again.
“A big piece of success for me is learning that I cannot do shakes, tiny portions, fasts, etc. I just love to eat and being full too much (and that is NOT a bad thing). So I learned how to make low calorie but very filling foods. Its officially called volume eating and has made STAYING in a calorie deficit easier, but I still track every calorie. Basically focusing on high nutrition, high volume, non-meat foods most of the time so that I can feel full AND stay under my calorie limit. Its changed my relationship to food and I hope to never go back to mindlessly eating, but making mindful choices and listening to my potato and veggie-loving body. I grew up choosing mash potatoes over ice cream on a regular basis, but now I am able to do it healthily, by skipping the butter, cheese, etc, and still feeling full.
“Syatt Fitness and The Fitness Chef have also been really helpful for me to be patient and to just keep going, even when it feels hard or that its taking too long, or the scale is jumping around. They both have helped me understand weight gain and loss and to avoid the diet crazes that don't work long term.”1 -
phatShaming wrote: »OMG I love reading this. I'm stuck! I lost 20lbs almost doing nothing but getting a job and doing normal active stuff. Then I began to workout, watch my calories (walk and run) and I can't seem to lose anything. I'm always between up 1 or 2lbs and down the same 1 or 2 lbs. My goal is 135lbs and i'm now 176. I have small goals like to just see under 170 (169) and 10lb increments. I was easily losing 5lbs per month but for the last 5 months NOTHING! I'm tired all the time now. But I keep pushing it. I dont know what else to do, or how much longer i can motivate myself.
Being stuck is frustrating for sure.
If it’s been five months I might take an honest look at how consistent you’re being with tracking. Are you tracking accurately at least 80% of the time? Are you using a food measurer? Or weight/scale for your food? When I started actually weighing my food I realized how often I was on some things that can add up.
If you already are doing that I might look at reducing your daily calories by 100 to 150 cal a day and seeing if that makes a difference after another month. I friend requested you so we can support each other. You’ve got this :-)1 -
I just realized I never posted my most up to date pics - looks like this thread it staying active so, I will post them here. Currently at 62 pounds down.
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SalinitySally wrote: »Congrats! So you’re at your first goal weight?
You are very astute! Yes, I passed my first goal weight of 212 (60 pounds lost) a few weeks ago. I am down 2 more from there and hanging steady.
Although I did change my "weekly goal" in MFP to 1 lb/week from 1.5 lb/week and added back in minimal calories from steps, I was starting to feel exhausted from dieting, so I thought I would take it easier for a bit, or for the long term.
This is a marathon, not a sprint.
If I did nothing else, and maintained at that rate and lost 52 pounds over the next year, I would be at 158, which is well under my second goal weight and on my way to my goal weight. That's a beautiful thing.
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What a great post! Thank you for sharing
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