Long way to go, but 45 pounds down! (Pics, I hope!)

jbwegner

Hi all! I have been an MFP member for years. I have been in an evil cycle: Lose 20 pounds, get frustrated, gain all back + a few, repeat.

Before I knew it, I was close to 300 pounds. I am 36 years old. You'd never know I was a skinny cheerleader in high school. I won't go into all of the reasons why I gained the weight, but ultimately, I was responsible for every single ounce. I was always exhausted, grumpy, and so very sad.

Then one day last May, something changed. It just clicked, and I started making real changes. Most significantly, I ate less. Not really different, just less. I still go out to eat. I still eat carbs, even the satanic white ones. I just make sure that if I go over my calories one day, I cut back the next.

The biggest change has probably been exercise. I actually like it now. I discovered that I love a nearby hiking trail, and I have serious competitions with myself on the elliptical. I even started strength training.

Now I lost the first 20 pounds really easily and quickly, just like always. And then I stalled. I lost nothing for like a month even though I was still at a calorie deficit. I saw my doctor and after running every test in the book, he assured me that nothing was wrong with me. (Besides all of the extra weight that is.) He encouraged me to keep eating better and to exercise because even if I wasn't losing, I was still benefiting my health. He promised that eventually the scale numbers would follow my habits. He was right. (Who knew?) I woke up one morning just after my period, and dropped a whopping 5 pounds. That continued over the next few months.....no loss at all, and then a significant one right after my cycle. I just have to be very careful not to get frustrated and depend too much on the scale.

I still hope to lose about 60 more pounds. And then my drivers license won't be a big, screaming lie.

I am always looking to add more friends, so feel free to add me. :flowerforyou:

So, if you actually read all of that, thank you! I've been resting on a giant plateau for a while now, and I'm crossing my fingers for a few pounds to drop any day now. I just started a New Year's challenge at my gym, and I hope that will recharge my batteries!

Mojoman02

You look great!!! Awesome job!!

AcesMom2013

Great job! You look fantastic!

LOLA1617

45 pounds down show a lot on you!!! Congrats!!

BlueEyedTXmom

Sounds like my story. Great progress!

mackemom

Wow, you look great! Good job!

FreshKrisKreash

aww you look so good! can't wait to see your final transformation. :flowerforyou:

stormnv

Way to go!!

weightedfootsteps

Girl that is awesome!!! And you are looking Amazing!!!!!

I'm knowing the feeling of the stall out on the scale..the good news is..I am dropping inches!!! I hope you are watching those inches!! Its amazing how they go down but the scale doesn't move..LOL Or jumps!!! Oh that drives me bonkers!!! LOL

Keep on truckin on! You will get this..as will I

lynder64

Wonderful!!! Thank you for sharing! :flowerforyou:

MissSarahAllison315

YAY!!! Way to go!!!

cornfritter22

Looking good! I can relate to the chugging along, but getting frustrated because the scale doesn't move. I'm back to counting again, this time determined not to give up, whether the scale moves or not. Like your doctor said, I'm trying to keep in mind that I'm improving my health, regardless.
Well done! Congratulations!

TheNewJB

Good job - you have transformed so much already! You can do this!

KatieWH

Congrats! What an awesome story if perseverance!

DevinC182

great job. i'm adding you

cathipa

Great loss! Feel proud and you can make it to your goal!!

Trissyboo

Simply Amazing! You are doing fantastic!

morty1966

You look lovely, really pretty. Well done x

Sonj1973

You look fantastic. Well done it's so easy to give up when you don't lose consistently...Good for you!!

geeners81

You look amazing!!

nhouse3417

You look amazing!!! Such a great story. It is the reality of losing weight, everyone hits those plateaus it is how you react to them. And you are sticking to it and having a great attitude! That is most important.

A change I made was heavy lifting, I started researching that and it really transformed my body!

Also, instead of relying on the scale I took pictures monthly in the same outfit and it really showed! Even though the scale was hardly moving.

Good luck!

sunshinesukie

" I just have to be very careful not to get frustrated and depend too much on the scale."


I hear you!! I am so familiar with that little trap.


Well done!

_TastySnoBalls_

Keep at it, you've come a long way. Congratulations! :flowerforyou:

theresap1031

Awesome job. I did the same thing lost 20lbs put it back on now trying to lose it again plu the additional 30lbs I never got off. I'm focusing on my accomplishment of losing 6lbs so far and trying not to look back.

mlerand62

And then my drivers license won't be a big, screaming lie.



Shhh! Don't let them know we do this. I don't want scales at the DMV.

Great job! Do this for you. The scale will follow:bigsmile:

cici1028

You look absolutely beautiful! GO YOU!!! The difference is amazing. Hope you feel as fantastic as you look.

janatarnhem

Thanks for sharing.... you are looking great! :flowerforyou:

cici1028

PS - I plateaued about 87 times over my weight loss journey... don't ever give up. It will just drop all the sudden for no reason. So keep with it.

balletpolegirl

Wow, you look so good, such an amazing difference. Thanks for your story, has inspired me to keep going and not get frustrated with the stalls. Congratulations x

starrylioness

You look incredible! Keep it up!

rbn_held

Congrats on your weight loss. You look great