Feeling Better Than This Time Last Year?

alphabetsoup2013

Every day, I get to celebrate something new that I can do this year that I couldn't do at the same time last year.

The other day, it was being able to walk on top of a layer of crunchy snow without falling through. (Losing 100+ pounds makes a difference.) :-)

Over the holidays, it was having family members comment on how much smaller I am.

I wake up each day feeling happy and healthy.

I'm so grateful to be starting the year in such a positive frame of mind.

bwogilvie

I've lost about 45 lbs. since last year. I'm also a faster, stronger cyclist, and my resting heart rate has dropped from over 60 to around 48-52 depending on the day. Still a bit of weight to take off in 2014, but I'm lighter than I've been since the late '90s.

Of course, right now I can scarcely bend over, because I slipped on the ice and bruised my butt, but that will heal soon enough….

Best wishes to you all for 2014!

jeansuza

You bet I feel better! Was about 241 on 2012 Christmas day and 155 this year! I've got so much more energy!!! A new woman! I wonder how it is going to be next year...

tazzy2911

Well done everyone on your successes this year!
I've lost 3 stone this year (42 lbs) and the difference it has made to my confidence and therefore my life is unbelievable!! Last New Year's Eve I left my cousins wedding early...I was sick. My underwear was too tight, my corset that I needed to be any way presentable was too tight. I was wearing the only dress I owned that fitted me. I felt like crap. I wanted to hide under the table so nobody would see me!
This Christmas I was wearing a choice of sequinned pretty dresses feeling amazing! Life and soul of the party! Like my old self! And loads of comments to that effect from family and friends!

Still have about 30lbs to go and while I had hoped to reach that goal this year, I don't see it as a failure, I've just reassessed my goals and I'll reach my goal in 2014!

Happy new year to everyone!!

ladymiseryali

I'm down over 20lbs from where I was last year. I also have a job, so a steady paycheck, on top of a cellphone and two healthy cats. Also, a husband. So yea, I'm way better off now.

retirehappy

Well done everyone.

I wore a red blouse this Christmas that I didn't fit into last Christmas. I've been on MFP since July '13, and am down 24 lbs. Wearing rings and pants I couldn't wear for the last few years. I am pretty stoked about all that.

But 2014 is gonna be even better, as I get ready for my retirement before EOY. I want to be slim, fit, and happy for my retirement. MFP is certaining contributing to that.

cyoka13

Thank you for posting this! I am down 25 lbs and at a weight that I am very comfortable with. Beside becoming a healthier me, 2013 was a huge year in so many more ways. I completed two very big work projects, finished course work for my Master's Degree and celebrated my 15 year anniversary with my boyfriend. Getting in shape helped get me through the stress of the work projects and school. As a bonus, it also made me look good for my anniversary

I need to redefine my goals for the coming year since I do not need to lose any more weight. I know I want to be stronger and fitter - but I need to set specific goals.

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2014!

seltzermint555

I am down more than 60 lb from this time last year and I don't feel ANY better physically.

I look better. I fit into the world better. I fit into clothes way better. I know I am at lower risk for obesity related health problems.

But I'm not any more athletically capable (in my opinion). I am having occasional bouts with constipation I never had before, that I need to figure out and clear up.

Also...I have roughly the same amount of energy, although I've always been a high energy person even 100 lb heavier than I currently am so that's neither here nor there.

Mentally I am in a better place with much more stability but I attribute that to other factors (recent marriage, stable job) than weight loss.

hstoblish

I've lost my pregnancy weight + 27 pounds.

Last year at this time, I was still swollen from the drugs they gave me during birth, so a before and after right now isn't very accurate. I was also deep into newborn land, happy but emotional and a bit overwhelmed. Right now I feel fantastic. My daughter is amazing. I can run and lift much better than I used to, even before my pregnancy. I'm back at work and feeling really good about my work life balance at the moment (I'm sure this will come and go).

I was feeling pretty good last year, with my new baby, but this year I'm feeling much better physically!

Mia_RagazzaTosta

I'm down 18 lbs (not done yet) and can lift things I never though I could have.

I_Will_End_You

I only lost 17lbs, but I feel soooo much better about myself now.

padams2359

Great to hear positive things. Sounds like after Christmas weight loss PROBLEMS are someone else's problem. Some of us still have a litte more to go, but that is better than not having left the station, or worse yet, not found the train.

KMiYong

this time last year I was hopeless. I thought I'd never lose this weight, because I gained everything I lost after starving myself for around half a year. This time around I'm determined to do something, and I know that by this time next year, I'll be happy with my looks, will wear nice dresses and cute super short shorts, and look back and be proud of myself for doing it

JustMeee333

90+% of us are better than where we were at this time last year. I think many people are dwelling on the 2 to 5 lbs gained over the 2013 holidays, but not thinking about where they were at this time last year.

Great post OP, Thank you!

This time last year losing weight hadn't even crossed my mind. It's not until February '13 I started, and since then I am down 110lb. I really hope 2014 continues the success of 2013, and hopefully more. As I know I need to make changes in other aspects of my life too, to be happy emotionally, aswell as physically better. :flowerforyou:

MyChocolateDiet

i don't even remember this time last year?

what i do know is that i would never have tried running and now i'm doing couch 2 5k. now i know I can deadlift and last year I couldn't. i lost some weight. My arms are bigger since I inadvertently did a "bulk" while lifting to supposedly protect my muscles from weight loss while at a deficit but then when my deficit took a hit but my lifting didn't i got more biceps. i wish you could see them. they are there i see the shape under the fat. my butt got weird though. it started getting bigger like muscle wise but then at some point it got saddle bagsey and that's not cool. IDK what's gonna happen next but I sure am STRONGER! I love it. To death!

cathylopez1975

I am down 41 lbs from this time last year, for a total of 88 lbs. lost since Sept. 2012. I feel lighter on my feet for one thing. When my 2 year old grandson runs, I can keep up with him. I can follow him on the monkey bars and go down the slides with him. I have learned to play again - my inner child has come out from behind all of the extra weight.

I'm looking forward to losing a couple more pounds and building muscle in 2014.

hoyalawya2003

I am down 23 lbs from last year (started trying to lose in July). Now my pants that were too tight are falling off! Still a long way to go, but I plan to keep on losing next year.

Not only have I lost weight, but I have joined a gym, returned to horseback riding after 7+ years away, and begun the c25k program. I just realized it has been 23 years since I tried to jog/run!! I hope to finish the program and then move on to a weightlifting program (probably stronglifts). Looking forward to an amazing 2014!

DesireeNL

My weight loss journey has been a long one and I'm not there yet. But this year I've made some good progress :-)

In 2013:

I lost about 8kg/18lbs (total lost since highest 21kg/46lbs)
I finally reached a healthy BMI for the first time in about 13 years.
I went from couch potato to getting more active, and hiked a total of 230km/143mi.
I joined a gym and started a weight lifting program.
I wore a dress for the first time in over 10 years (and bought 4 of them to add to my wardrobe).

2014 is about getting in better shape, lifting weights, hiking and probably another attempt at c25k.

sanjoparolas

Congratulations everyone on your wonderful progress! I have lost 25 lbs,in 2013, some of which I had lost and gained a few times before but I finally achieved a healthy BMI range. I would like to be strong and healthy and reduce my body fat percentage in 2014.

Forever4me

Yes, I'm feeling much better than last year! I'm a work in progress. Always will be. I injured my knee this fall, which really affected my workouts, and a back-slid a little bit. But considering my workouts and tracking were spotty for a couple of months, I only gained back a couple of pounds, which tells me I learned a lot about what my body needs and how to still make healthier choices. Although my weight progress isn't what I wanted, I am proud of what I've accomplished in 2013. I am celebrating all that I've learned in the past year. I'm a single mom of 3 kids that I have the majority of the time. I know we are all busy, but I was putting my kids, friends and family first, and finally realized (3) critical things that have changed my life.

1. No one will take care of me but ME. It's not easy to take care of other people, so it doesn't mean it will be easy to take care of me, but I deserve it. I deserve the time it takes to cook healthy and plan my food and to workout.

2. Life is all about choices and decisions and the attitude we take towards them. Our health is part of our life - so I am blessed that I get to make choices over and over again. So if I choose the cupcake, I get the choice later to eat fruit or veggies or workout more. Everyone has said that this needs to be a lifestyle change, but it never truly clicked for me until this year. I am a perfectionist, so judged myself on how "perfect" my day was (rarely, if ever), so then always beat myself up when I wasn't, and shocker, I never made any lasting progress. Once I took this new attitude of choices, it was an immediate change that was life-altering. It's not about willpower vs guilt & deprivation or failure vs success...each moment we get to choose to alter the course of our life...we get to make a new choice.

3. Who cares how long it takes me if I never have to lose it again?

2013 has brought huge emotional and mental changes in my life; 2014 will end, and I will have a body I can be proud of!

goalss4nika

Thanks for asking!

I feel so much better than I did this time of the year last year. I am 49lbs lighter and happy about my accomplishment. Congrats to everyone who has made a positive change in their journey :flowerforyou:

JamieG8991

Before pic was Christmas last year, I had just started MFP a month before so I was still a work in progress. I weighed 170 and I wanted to dress up and feel good about myself, but all of my clothes were still snug and since I was in the process of losing weight, I didn't want to buy anything new. I cried because I felt so bad about myself and I DIDN'T want my picture taken.
My after pic is Christmas this year and I have now lost 35 pounds and I was wearing a new outfit, make up and even took the time to curl my hair!! lol and I felt SO great about myself!!! :bigsmile:

You look great. I LOVE your hair.

Thank you! It's VERY thick!!

JamieG8991

Before pic was Christmas last year, I had just started MFP a month before so I was still a work in progress. I weighed 170 and I wanted to dress up and feel good about myself, but all of my clothes were still snug and since I was in the process of losing weight, I didn't want to buy anything new. I cried because I felt so bad about myself and I DIDN'T want my picture taken.
My after pic is Christmas this year and I have now lost 35 pounds and I was wearing a new outfit, make up and even took the time to curl my hair!! lol and I felt SO great about myself!!! :bigsmile:

I just wanted to say that you looked good before and after.

Thanks :bigsmile:

xxghost

I am at the same exact weight I was at this time last year. But you know what? I don't consider that a failure. I can run/bike a lot faster/longer than I could 365 days ago. I can survive an entire spin class or hot yoga session, which I couldn't do back then. I can lift more. Overeating may have made me gain back the 20 pounds I lost over 2013, but my continued gym sessions have kept me in better shape. I have the drive and the workout habits. 2014 will be all about getting my eating under control. I have a very good feeling about this year though.

dnamouse

This time last year, I would huff and puff up the stairs. I was constantly getting sick and felt like crap.

Now?

I've lost 9kg and I can take those stairs two at a time and a running jump and no loss of breath. Hell, I can carry a sleeping 20+kg child up the stairs to bed no worries.

I can kayak for hours and help lift them onto the roof of the car at the end of the day.

My blood sugar levels are now perfect, I feel awesome and rarely get sick - even my migraines have settled down to one every few months (hormonal triggers only now!). I can run, I can jump, I can swim, I can keep up with my over-active children. It's all insanely good.

Shuuma

I just started 45 days ago, but I'm down 21 lbs, many inches, and feel much better physically and mentally. I am so encouraged by the posts here and in November 2014, I want to be one of these wonderful success stories!

Happy New Year!

editorgrrl

I just started 45 days ago, but I'm down 21 lbs, many inches, and feel much better physically and mentally.

I want to be one of these wonderful success stories!

You already are. 3 lbs. a week is amazing!

DMZ_1

Feeling pretty similar.

ohaston

I feel a lot better! My ankles don't hurt when Im in walmart with my Mother-in-law for 3+ hrs.( she sits in a scooter, while I walk around on those freaking concrete floors) ! ! ! O U C H


My energy is "thru the roof" ... and PLEASE FORGIVE ME FOR BEING GRAPHIC, Sex is soooo much better (luv you hubby). Who knew that all that weight could really hinder a "good time"!
I have 54 more LBS to go ... Ive been goofing off for the last 2 months ... so Im a little behind schedule ... My 1 yr anniversary is 20May14, so I may not be there by then ... , Im hoping for 30 more gone by then at least.

Good luck to you all and God Bless!
Happy NEW YEAR!

ladynica

I actually got to enjoy the holidays (and the food that comes with it), because I realized that my overall success for the year was better than any year previously in my adult life. I'm absolutely in a better place physically, mentally and emotionally than I was this time last year.