I hit my goal weight :)

BobcatGirl110

I started my journey on February 18th, 2013....I have no "ah ha" moment or specific event that made me decide it needed to change, but we celebrated my daughter's 12th birthday that Sunday and on Monday morning the 18th I started logging every bite that I ate. I weighed in at an embarrassing 204. I logged every bite that went into my mouth, I figured out my calories by getting my TDEE-BMR and I stayed under my calories 99% of the days since then. I started out in February walking. When I realized I only had the patience for 40 minutes of exercise I started walking faster for 40 min to burn more calories. Then I started the "run a little" and then walk....."run a little" and then walk. By May I started the C25k program. My Week 1 Day 1 involved me huffing and puffing....but I did it. I also continued to do it until I could run a 5k without stopping in June. I did my first 5k in August and I did a 4 miler on Thanksgiving Day. In just under 10 months I hit my goal weight with a loss of 64 pounds.

Yes, I learned along the way to watch my BMI and I realized that the 140 goal weight I had was in the "normal range" but now that I've hit that I have reset my goal to 135 because that is right in the middle of normal....and "in the middle of normal" sounds so wonderful to me. I couldn't have done it without MFP and the ability to log what I ate and to learn what I could and could not eat/fit into my calorie count and feel like I was full. For anyone in their journey I can tell you that lean meat, fish, nuts, greek yogurt, fruits and veggies are my friends and I learned to be a habitual eater. I eat a similar diet on most days and my body and my appetite seems to be happy with it.

Drink lots of water, eat healthy and move....it doesn't have to be running....walk if you need to but move....the more calories you burn the more successful you can be. I will say that in October I did get a fitbit and I have to admit it works for me wonderfully because I can see what I've burned so I can adjust and "eat" less than I've burned so I am at a deficit....but fitbit is definitely best for for those who walk or run as it's "movement" based.....if you are doing zumba, weight training, etc you will benefit most from an HRM. This really is a long term commitment....don't be in a hurry; allow yourself to really adopt a new way of eating/exercising/thinking....being on a diet to quickly lose weight will likely mean it will be gained back.

For me...although I hit goal weight...it's now time to learn to lift, tone, and sculpt I think.....it's been an incredible year and I'm excited to see what the next year holds for me and what this health journey has to keep teaching me.....thanks MFP

linzchapates

Congrats! you are a true inspiration

jonzo21

Congrats, you look wonderful!!

I use a bodymedia armband. Not sure how different it is from fitbit, but its very accurate. Even with doing Zumba, and 30DS. Its awesome knowing just how much I can eat a day!

iheartbiology

Great Job!

OfficiallySexyVal

You look great! I know you will do great on the sculpting and toning.

Shellinabobina

This is great, very inspirational. You look amazing!

twinkelzz

You look Awesome! What an inspiration!

SamanthaD1218

Amazing work and great dedication!! So wonderful to see such awesome results that come from hard work and commitment.

Ideabaker

Many congratulations! I just recently hit my goal weight and am finding the Fitbit to be invaluable as well!

Stardiva37

Congrats and great job

TXSweety09

Congratulations!!!! ^5!!!! You look amazing!!! Can't wait until the day I can make this same post!!!

thernan3

Thank you for that, its really motivating for me to hear, what I did want to ask is what is a MFP?

kelli_femrite

Great job! Thanks for posting; you have inspired me to keep going on my journey!

Cheeky_and_Geeky

Congrats! Amazing job!! I didn't have a real aha moment either. I just decided to start tracking & walking in the jogging stroller with my toddler. Lost 10lbs very quickly & then got motivated to work harder. Hit my first goal 2 weeks ago

BossLadyDSimp

Go girl! GREAT JOB ... your arms are so tiny! I like your advice ... my Fitbit has been working great but isn't cutting it when I am lifting ... looking into a HRM soon

BobcatGirl110

Thank you for that, its really motivating for me to hear, what I did want to ask is what is a MFP?

MFP = My Fitness Pal

alecs14

great job!

1longroad

You look so amazing!! How inspiring also!! Thank you for sharing your story!!

Briargrey

Great job!

schonsdragon

Congrats! That is fabulous!

meandmygirly

Inspiration, inspiration, inspiration! Congratulation, congratulation, congratulation!:happy:

love2read1220

Congratulations!! Thanks for sharing your story!!

FindingMyself24

Congrats!! Awesome job!

BobcatGirl110

Thank you to you all I just know that when I started this journey I read these success stories and I'm thrilled to finally be able to post mine. Everyone before me helped me get here so now it's my turn to post mine and hopefully help someone else move along their journey. The journey is worth it....everything we change, everything we do, everything we "give up" is worth the end result if we take our time, be patient, learn to be consistent and really change our diet and exercise more.....it's truly TRULY is a lifestyle change....it feels good to WANT to skip crappy food, it feels good to NEED to go run, it feels good to see how far you've come and what you can achieve when you decide you WANT to be different.