1 year on MFP and 83 lbs gone - never to be seen again...
MrsGTred
Posts: 16 Member
Today I am celebrating logging onto MFP for one whole year! And what a year it has been. I have lost 35-40 kg (77-88lbs) twice before in the last decade but managed to regain these. Twice.
You have to be in the right frame of mind to go on a weight loss journey. You know you’re big, you know you ought to lose weight, but if your head is not in the right place, it just won’t happen or you just won’t maintain.
My coping mechanism for stress has always been eating. I was slightly bigger than other children at school but not huge as I’ve always been sporty and active. When I became an adult and left home, I discovered a new freedom to eat whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. Food at home with my parents had always been very controlled.
In 2013 things changed. I had a 2 ½ year old and a 9 month old when my husband was critically ill with leukaemia. His organs were starting to fail and doctors prepared me that either the cancer or the chemo therapy could kill him. Against all odds, he fought and won! He has been in remission ever since. As you can imagine, I put on an awful lot of weight last year when dealing with the situation of him being so poorly and being in hospital (on and off) for 5 months and functioning as a single parent to 2 young children.
My husband came out of hospital in August and I decided that I needed to get healthy. There is still a big risk of a relapse for him. I needed to be there for him and for my children. If I keep eating and putting on weight, there are just too many risks to my health. The fear of my children only having one or even no parents kick-started my mission to health and weight loss.
I started running again which had helped me lose weight before. I completed C25k to get me started and build up my stamina. I started using MFP to log everything I eat. It has been an eye opener. You think you know what’s good and what’s bad for you but I have to say I have learnt a lot about food and I now make more sensible food choices. If offered cake or a takeaway I consider whether or not it is worth me having that or if I should have a smaller portion or just enjoy it. I have not deprived myself of anything, but I try and eat less and try and stay within my daily allowance. Plus I just move a lot more.
Of course I have had overindulgent days – and that’s ok. That’s life. As long as I get back on track again, that’s great. I have tried to see this journey not as a quick fix to lose weight but to teach myself new habits and coping strategies. I surprise myself nowadays that when stressed I crave a run rather than food. I am pleased that I have managed a whole year already as it takes a couple of years to form new habits but I feel like I am on my way.
I still have about 20kg (44lbs) to lose to goal weight but I am really convinced that I will make it there this time. Then I will just have to learn to maintain as I have never maintained. I’ve only ever lost or gained.
If you want to see some pictures, click here (sorry, I couldn’t work out how to paste a link into my post. If anybody can help, please feel free…): https://www.flickr.com/photos/97614554@N06/
You have to be in the right frame of mind to go on a weight loss journey. You know you’re big, you know you ought to lose weight, but if your head is not in the right place, it just won’t happen or you just won’t maintain.
My coping mechanism for stress has always been eating. I was slightly bigger than other children at school but not huge as I’ve always been sporty and active. When I became an adult and left home, I discovered a new freedom to eat whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. Food at home with my parents had always been very controlled.
In 2013 things changed. I had a 2 ½ year old and a 9 month old when my husband was critically ill with leukaemia. His organs were starting to fail and doctors prepared me that either the cancer or the chemo therapy could kill him. Against all odds, he fought and won! He has been in remission ever since. As you can imagine, I put on an awful lot of weight last year when dealing with the situation of him being so poorly and being in hospital (on and off) for 5 months and functioning as a single parent to 2 young children.
My husband came out of hospital in August and I decided that I needed to get healthy. There is still a big risk of a relapse for him. I needed to be there for him and for my children. If I keep eating and putting on weight, there are just too many risks to my health. The fear of my children only having one or even no parents kick-started my mission to health and weight loss.
I started running again which had helped me lose weight before. I completed C25k to get me started and build up my stamina. I started using MFP to log everything I eat. It has been an eye opener. You think you know what’s good and what’s bad for you but I have to say I have learnt a lot about food and I now make more sensible food choices. If offered cake or a takeaway I consider whether or not it is worth me having that or if I should have a smaller portion or just enjoy it. I have not deprived myself of anything, but I try and eat less and try and stay within my daily allowance. Plus I just move a lot more.
Of course I have had overindulgent days – and that’s ok. That’s life. As long as I get back on track again, that’s great. I have tried to see this journey not as a quick fix to lose weight but to teach myself new habits and coping strategies. I surprise myself nowadays that when stressed I crave a run rather than food. I am pleased that I have managed a whole year already as it takes a couple of years to form new habits but I feel like I am on my way.
I still have about 20kg (44lbs) to lose to goal weight but I am really convinced that I will make it there this time. Then I will just have to learn to maintain as I have never maintained. I’ve only ever lost or gained.
If you want to see some pictures, click here (sorry, I couldn’t work out how to paste a link into my post. If anybody can help, please feel free…): https://www.flickr.com/photos/97614554@N06/
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Replies
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So great hearing of your success! Keep it up.0
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Well done you have a very healthy attitute to your weight loss. Keep going I would love to be as far into my journey as you0
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Great job! Your approach sounds very sensible and you've achieved excellent results already!0
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You look great!!! Congratulations on your new healthy life
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Such great work! Well done, you look fab.0
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Well done0
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Well done ... You should be very proud of yourself :-)0
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You are an inspiration and you look so different every time i see you - whenever I am caving in or eating the wrong things you are always positive.
It's amazing how far you have come and how quickly
You will achieve your goal and not only will you be happier and thinner but you will have won the ongoing battle that most of us have with food, weight and self esteem. You have done all this work for you and your family and thats the most amazing thing ever 0 -
Great job, you've done well.0
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Very inspiring. You look great 0
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Great work!!!!0
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Wonderful progress on all fronts. Wishing you and your husband many decades of healthy happy life together.:drinker: :flowerforyou:0
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Wow, what a difference, go you!! I'm at the very start of my journey but its lovely to see success stories like yours! Its very motivating Congrats!! 0
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Very moving story, so glad it turned out this way for you, excellent job. And one year on MFP, that alone is a great feat. You are an inspiration, thanks for sharing!:flowerforyou:0
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To your health and happiness!0
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Congrats to you and all the best to your husband on his continued good health!0
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Congratulations! Health and happiness to you and your family.0
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great success, and so glad your hubby is doing well!!0
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Great job!0
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Congrats - well done! You are really an inspiration 0
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Let's see if this works! :flowerforyou:
I tried fixing your picture but it doesn't seem to be working. I will PM you the information.0 -
Thank you for all your comments. I was really hesitant about posting my story as it is really personal. Plus I felt really self conscious about sharing pictures...0
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Keep it up !!!0
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Congrats on your first year and your weight loss!
I got chills reading your story, it was like reading my own! Tomorrow Sept 12 will be 1 year and 84 pounds for me. And my husbands cancer is what got us to start a new healthy lifestyle.0 -
Thanks for sharing your story and pictures. You look great. Keep up the good work. You've motivated me to keep going.0
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What a transformation! You look amazing and years younger!
Good for you for finding a new way to deal with stress!0 -
nidol, congratulations to you today on your 1 year anniversary on mfp. Be proud! ????????????0
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Thank you for posting- this is very inspiring. And you look fantastic. Cheers to you and your family's continued good health!0
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Congrats to you!! You look SO MUCH YOUNGER!!!0
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MAZEL!!! You're doing wonderfully... Keep it going!! 0
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