One month at MFP

girlviernes

I’ve always scoffed at calorie counting in the past. It seemed too unnatural, too much of a pain. I had better ways to manage my weight. Well those ways worked just fine, except that I didn’t have accountability or the day in and day out focus.

About 3 months ago, again at my lifetime highest weight of 256, I had a serious health scare. Basically, I have stenosis or plaque build up in my carotid arteries, which puts me at risk for a stroke or heart attack. I’m only 35 years old.

I started making some gradual changes. I had a big move which luckily got me out of my old environment and I had a chance to set up new habits. I started bringing my lunch. I started taking dance classes again. In my first class I could barely make it through two songs. I did gradually lose some weight. But I was still binge eating and not paying much attention to my overall intake.

About a month ago, things finally clicked into place. I needed to make this my number one priority. I picked up a supply of healthy foods. Something told me to go back to myfitnesspal and start logging. My first goal was just to log and be accountable. It was tough, I think the second day I was here I binged and I did not want to think about it or write it down. But I did. And that was so freeing. I realized that it was a big success to be willing to look at exactly what I was doing. And I haven’t binged since.

It’s been 28 days without binging. 30 days of logging. I weighed in at 236 lbs this morning -20 lbs down. I can now dance for several hours straight, even with energy to keep on kicking past midnight. I see foods like donuts and chocolate covered pretzels in the office and hardly think twice about them. I’ve joined two September challenges which has really pushed me to work out every day.

Which isn’t to say everything is perfect. I stay up too late. I watch too much TV. Sometimes I eat when I am bored rather than when I am hungry. I’m eating way too much sodium. I get a bit obsessive about the forums here and the number on the scale. I’ve been battling pretty profound fatigue. But I feel like I have such a great foundation here that I am confident that I will tackle and work through these issues as well. Calorie counting has actually given me the freedom not to need to be perfect but to be objective and accountable and know that I will keep going no matter what.

A huge part of this has been the support from people here. I’ve gotten great advice and support. It’s amazing the difference one month makes!

newhealthykim

It's so great to hear that you have had such early success! I did notice you mentioned you are exercising every day and battling fatigue. It's okay to take rest days. Your body needs them as much as it needs the workouts. Rest days allow your body to repair the muscle tearing that workouts create so that you can get stronger muscles. Also, 20 lbs in 30 days is really rapid weight loss. It should start to slow down pretty soon. Just don't give up!

dorkyfaery

Congrats on your success so far! This is a great post for you to refer back to as you continue to work towards your goals, to remind you of what you are capable of and how good it's making you feel. I wish you the best of luck as you move forward!

girlviernes

Sorry to be confusing - the 20 lbs is actually since June, about 10 weeks or even a little longer.

I really don't think the fatigue has to do with the exercise- but I will keep that in mind. I have been upping my calories as well to see if that helps. However, I think the fatigue is something else, possibly anemia or hormonal. I am going to see a doctor in about 2 weeks and will hopefully figure this out. The curious thing is that the fatigue is worst when I am just sitting at work. Once I get myself moving then it doesn't seem to be present.

girlviernes

Congrats on your success so far! This is a great post for you to refer back to as you continue to work towards your goals, to remind you of what you are capable of and how good it's making you feel. I wish you the best of luck as you move forward!

Thanks!! I know it is quite early to post a success post, but I'm just so happy with the direction I am heading right now. I think this will be very helpful to look back at in the future.

Kate7294

Great job! I think the accountability is a great motivator too. Cheers to becoming healthier.

taryninoly

That is SO AWESOME! MFP is a lifesaver isn't it???? Seriously I am smiling at your success :drinker: (of coffee!)

MKEgal

It’s been 28 days without binging.
30 days of logging.
I weighed in at 236 lbs this morning - 20 lbs down.
I can now dance for several hours straight, even with energy to keep on kicking past midnight.
I see foods like donuts and chocolate covered pretzels in the office and hardly think twice about them.
I’ve joined two September challenges which has really pushed me to work out every day.

A whole bunch of victories to celebrate! :flowerforyou: :drinker: :happy:

baconslave

Excellent! KUTGW! You are worth it!

Rebeccas_Life

Thanks for sharing such a motivating post! I'm about your age and weight, and knowing that there are other people out there finding success on MFP is a great thing to hear Congrats on your success so far!!

girlviernes

Thanks for all the support, you guys!

*big smile*

jazzie_red

That is awesome work.

I am on day 27 and lost 7 lbs. I don't know how, but I did. I am set at 1 lbs a week, and personally I have sucked (As in sucked in a lot of food) on more than one day.

I am pretty happy tracking my calories. I feel like it is an education in the process, I didn't take the weight off overnight and it's gonna take time. So be it, not a big deal. I gots time (I hope!!.

There are foods that I thought were not that high in calories, that are! So now if I eat those I know I have to be careful.

iamcherylb

Big YAY! and Go You!

girlviernes

Thanks Jazzie and iamcherylb! Yes it's very educational to log. I'm also often surprised at how few calories some of my meals add up to!

snowflake954

After one month on MFP (over a year ago) I also knew I was on the right track and felt great. Just keep going, no matter what. Wishing you a great success story in the future, since you've gotten off to a good start. Best.

rockstar53

Way to go!! I'm about the same in terms of how long I've been logging. It sure does help!!

gem_192

This is very inspiring. I'm one week in, 6lbs down and love seeing stories like yours. Something I found helped with my fatigue (which was similar to what you're describing, worst when inactive and making it v difficult to get moving but once I'm there it's better) was taking an iron fortified cereal. So maybe get your iron levels checked? Good luck on the rest of your journey!

mrron2u

This is why I love MFP so much! Great job. It really becomes an addiction and it has made it so hard for me to be bad. I really want to see the numbers look right every day. Keep up the great work!

ScottH_200

Great job. Keep it up!

girlviernes

This is very inspiring. I'm one week in, 6lbs down and love seeing stories like yours. Something I found helped with my fatigue (which was similar to what you're describing, worst when inactive and making it v difficult to get moving but once I'm there it's better) was taking an iron fortified cereal. So maybe get your iron levels checked? Good luck on the rest of your journey!

Thanks for your suggestion. I was noticing that I have been tending to want to eat more seaweed and protein bars, and both of them I realized have a fair amount of iron. I wonder if that is why. I'm planning to ask them to check iron next week.

Yep, I really like being in the green each day

wannabeskinnycat

Hi ex-binge-eater

I love reading these success stories. Yours is great just for the lifestyle change on its own. And you've lost weight and clearly loving the new you. Keep it going.

Being honest with yourself is always the best way but isn't always the easiest.

Well done and be proud of yourself.

girlviernes

Hey, I thought I would update since it's been another 30 days. Still going strong... now down to 228, which means I hit my first goal to be under 230! I've loosened up my eating a bit, but continue not to have any issues with binge eating. I am finding this eating style very sustainable and flexible. I even ate out at Cheesecake Factory last night and had dinner and some cheesecake for about 500 kcals.

I've started strength training about 2x/week and already feeling stronger. Participated in a weekend-long dance event with workshops all day and dancing at night. My mood is up and my sleep seems to be improved. Still eating too much sodium, staying up too late, and spending too much time online and watching TV, but starting to be more confident that I'll be able to tackle these issues (eventually). Regarding the fatigue, it has been better the last week. I'm working with my new doctor to figure out what is going on and should know more on Thursday.

Tljordan40

Doing the happy dance with you. Great Job. Keep up the great work!!!

nielsonfam

LOVE THIS...consistency is key!! Keep it up - you're doing great!

Rachelwin65

Great post! Thanks for sharing your victories! I am 46 days in and am experiencing similar results. For the first time in a long time, I was able to dance for hours. I am walking every day. And yesterday I pulled out my bike, dusted it off, and have been on 3 little bike rides already. Life is opening up! Keep us posted on your progress, ok? :-)

girlviernes

Happy dance!! So great all these NSVs, and how quickly they can come. Eat wisely and move, what a concept

BRobertson23

Sounds like you're taking stock in your health and well being...GOOD FOR YOU! Sounds like you're also aware of what your putting in your body and I think that's where your fatigue is coming from. You should feel good and energized, not drained, so try out some strategies with your food....for example, I make sure I eat the same time every day, and keep my bigger meals for breakfast and lunch. When I mix those things up, I tend to feel different...could be sluggish or too full later in the day. I've noticed that on nights when I have a glass of wine or drink any alcohol, the next morning I feel it...even if it's just ONE glass. I can tell that it made me dehydrated and that I lack the energy I want for a morning run or walk. I don't know what you're daily meals are like, but I try to pack my meals for each day the night before. I take account of what protein or veggies or sugar I'm consuming for the day, and if I think I'll need something else, then I'll add in an apple or some extra veggies or nuts. Basically...do some planning and see if how you're eating makes you feel better or the same. Then adjust accordingly. You got this!!

rach3649

I'm glad you made the changes before you had those issues. 6 weeks ago I had a TIA and landed myself in hospital surrounded by people twice my age, you see I too am 35. I lost all feeling down my right side and was in a very bad way on a train with my two children when it all went down.

Keep plugging on. Iv read its a bunch of small changes over a period of time that end up working and are maintainable long term. By that advice I think you can conquer all those hurdles and be a success if you just keeping on going.

I wish you all the best!

girlviernes

Hi Rach, that sounds so scary, how are you doing now?

elisa123gal

It is a process in which you grow stronger and make adjustments naturally..not forced. That seems to be the path you are on..and that is great. As you keep going…other positive changes will happen without you making a huge effort. Good luck in getting healthy! You could't be off to a better start.

moonbeams896

That's fantastic! It's been great seeing your posts as one of your friends and I'm so happy to see your success! I'm in much the same boat and I started here in May and have seen so much improvement. MFP is great and so are you! Keep it up and I'll look forward to more of your updates