Small Changes, Big Results - 100 Days In - 26 Pounds Down

ElaineBeekman

I just want to put this out there to maybe help encourage someone else.

I've not been happy with my body for a while. The weight came gradually at first. Then I had a baby, and the pregnancy weight didn't come off at all. I'm fairly active. I live on a farm. I don't eat a ton of junk. But I didn't feel fit, I felt like I got worn out way too easily. I used to play sports in school but not now. I was stressed and depressed - about work, about my family, about life, about my health. I wanted to do something but wasn't sure what. I was not in a good place. I WANTED to do something, but I really didn't. Then this fall I had a doctor's appointment and a small, casual comment from my doctor made me stop in my tracks. And I decided I didn't WANT to do something - I WOULD do it.

So what did I do? I got a FitBit flex for my birthday, but hadn't really set it up/used it to it's potential. I asked some advice and realized I could use it along with MFP (better food logging I'd heard, more networking and support, etc.) and really understand what I was eating and how active I was. That was all I started with. I started logging my food. Did I change my diet? Not really - I still get fast food sometimes, I still have cake if I want. But I am more aware of serving sizes and actual calorie intake. I have tried to make better choices about what I eat but I still indulge some. I don't really log activity and rely on the FitBit for information on how many calories I burn. And if I earn calories, I often eat them back (but not always and not all of them). Another big thing I did was work on drinking more water. I fill two 24-oz cups/bottles with ice each morning, then water. I drink out of one on my commute then take one in an drink it throughout the day. The other on in my car slowly melts and is usually still cold by the time I get ready to go home. 48 ounces already, not including meals.I set pretty aggressive calorie goals but I don't always make it. It's OK by me. It's a marathon, not a sprint. And just that added awareness helps me make better choices.

I added a few days of extra low-impact aerobic exercise (30 mins - 1 hour) last month and this month I am adding lifting a few days a week (my first session was yesterday). But really, I'm not sure I'm that much more active now than before October. I am working on that because I really want to build my strength and my endurance.

These little steps, just being more aware of calories in and calories out, drinking more water, a little added exercise have added up. In 100 days I have lost 26 pounds. Compared to a lot of people on MFP that's not a lot, but I had to start somewhere. And I want others to know you don't have to make huge changes or follow a strict diet to lose weight. I'm just about halfway to where I want to be. I set small goals and reward myself when I reach them and look forward to a few months down the road when hopefully I'm where I want to be.

Losing weight is/was not a cure-all. But I do feel better about my body. I'm making progress. I have a little more control and if I can control my eating and my weight, I can control other things, can't I? I can make other things better, too.

One day at a time everybody! One choice at a time! I wish success to everybody!

huntndox

Thanks for posting this. And a big congratulations to you. I think you're doing wonderfully, and I know that you will continue to do so. I've been on the site 80 days, and I've lost 19 pounds so hopefully I'll get close to where you are by the time I reach 100. I doubt I'll make 26' but if I make over 20 I'll be happy. Hip hip hooray for you.:drinker: