I signed up Dec 2012 but didn't do anything with MFP until April 2013. After a little bit of research I started making sure I was logging food every day. I have exceeded my original goal of 170, though a while ago I had set a new goal of 160 (I may change this again to 155). Even though it took longer than I had expected it to take to get here, I am okay with it. I am so happy with my results and I know I can and am going in the right direction and I am unstoppable!
If anyone is interested in my back story, you can find it here:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1046999-by-way-of-introduction-and-a-nsv (Yes - I spelled losing incorrectly)
If you don't want to read that - TL;DR - I wasn't always overweight, gained a bunch of weight in recent years due to eating too much, found MFP and figured out how many calories I really needed, started eating at a deficit and started losing weight.
(Interestingly enough the two women - the only two who commented on that post - have become the two most important people that I have met here on MFP. They are truly awe inspiring women! Thank you ladies - you know who you are!!! xoxo
:flowerforyou: )
The goal bucket of clothes that had been tucked away for over three years is completely empty and I have already gotten rid of about half of those clothes and am wearing a size 10 more than a 12. . I sometimes chuckle to myself when I think that was my goal. That bucket of clothes and now those clothes are too big! Even the 10's are kinda loose.
How did I do it?
I figured out my TDEE with a moderate exercise level (injuries) and I created a moderate deficit (I LOVE FOOD) so that I lose less than a half pound most weeks and a lot of weeks I've lost nothing. There were even several weeks where I gained, but I just kept going at a moderate deficit. I weigh EVERYTHING and log everything - the good, bad and ugly and believe me there is ugly. I just keep going. I haven't really 'given up' any foods. There are some I eat less of, sure but I still have ice cream on the regular and I eat chocolate every day.
I work out - my main cardio is and almost always has been walking. I started to incorporate kick boxing and some step aerobics as well, but pretty much had to stop that. (I have hip, butt and now foot issues). And I lift. I want to lift heavy, but I really can't - not yet anyway, so I lift moderately. I just keep going, at least 3x a week. But really I just exercise to look good naked.
:laugh: I don't get big burns from exercise. I am in awe of people who do. I average in the low 100-200's, rarely will ever get into the 300's. I am okay with this too. Using the TDEE method, I don't eat back exercise calories.
My plan – Continue to eat the foods I love at a moderate deficit to lose weight. Exercise to be fit (and look good naked)
I do have a number on the scale in mind, but I am really more interested in how I look and feel. I want to lower my BF% and so losing slow and steady is good for me.
Now what everyone really came here for - pictures! I am really happy that I have had a friend and co-worker take comparison photos of me in the same/similar outfits all along the way! It has helped me see where I am as I am going along and has helped me stay focused.
Stats:
Height = 5'7"
Age = 46
HW = 216
Start = 207/16/XL/40DD
6/9/14 = 168.3/10/M-L/36-38C
Goal = 155-160/(8?)/(M?)/(36C?)
(And yes I am perfectly okay with losing my DD's. I can't tell you how nice it is to be able to wear all the cute tops I could never fit in (or button up) before!)
The date on the picture on the right is incorrect. It should be from May 2013.
:grumble:
7/01/13 `189 size 14 - 9/17/13 `179 size 12
10/30/12 `207 - 9/23/13 `178
Top July 2013 `190 - Bottom January 2014 `176
04/02/14 `172 size 12 jeans - 5/22/14 `170 size 10 jeans
9/12/13 180 - 5/12/14 170
June 7, 2014 169 Medium Old Navy top and bottoms.
Front row to the gun show.
:happy:
In the end, I don't care how long it takes me to get to my goal. I am happy to keep working towards it and to just keep going. Thanks for stopping by! Happy Monday all.
