*Snowflakes to Sunshine Challenge* Week #7 Discussion (Close

Steph_135

Thanks for sharing all your stories!! :flowerforyou:

ltlhmom... You're doing awesome! Keep doing what you're doing!

I knew that I was gaining and hated buying a new size every few months and I noticed that I became meaner and more irritable, the more weight I gained. I became less sociable, although I had friends in college...I wasn't all about meeting and greeting each new person I came across.

Krys... I found this part really interesting, cause it reminds me of myself. Just eating badly can make us feel terrible and irritable.

Added to that, this man that I have a ridiculous crush on told me I was beautiful. :blushing: I was so surprised, I actually stuttered trying to say thank you! Now, to get from "beautiful" friend to girlfriend...

ymamyma... NICE LOSS!! :drinker: That's so exciting!!!

I took a picture of myself in those jeans and walked out of the store. I didn't want new jeans I wanted me back. So here I am.

Robyn... Sounds like you have strong motivation. You sound very committed to making changes happen!

Steph_135

(I'm a serious pear shape with a lot of hips! It takes about 25 pounds for me to drop a size).

leandread... :laugh: Awesome! I'm totally in the same boat. I love my hips, but why can't they be just a little more proportionate to the rest of me?!

But in January of this year, I completed my PhD in anthropology and realized that if I can do that I can really do amid all that drama I really can do anything, because graduate school was something I often wondered and feared that I would never finish. But I did.

leandread... Congrats on your academic accomplishments!! :drinker:

I just had to celebrate this with all you wonderful gals, I am wearing my 12 size jeans for the first time since 2009 and boy does butt look awesome. I feel like I should take a picture.

I was planning on staying in all night and studying, but I think I might need to head to the mall and show off my new size 12 behind. Also, I'm going to Mexico in 2 weeks and all the shorts that fit me 3 weeks ago are too big!! What a wonderful problem to have. The only problem is that I'm reaching the part of my weight loss journey where soon all my clothes will be too big and it's going to get expensive. But I'll make it work because I'm so glad to say goodbye to size 18, 16, and now 14!! Can't wait for single digits!

whittrusty... That is SO inspirational!!! :drinker: Congrats on the jeans! I really need to kick my butt to get into my size 16's...

Amanda... You are one tough woman! :flowerforyou:

(It's so late... I shouldn't be staring at this screen any longer.)

robynrae_1

I am up a little this week .8 lbs. but I still have a smile on my face because I am still under 200lbs .

emma44ny

I am up a little this week .8 lbs. but I still have a smile on my face because I am still under 200lbs .

The day I am under 200 I may just cry my eyes out!:sad:
Good for you! Awesome job! :happy:

ltlhmom

Happy Friday everyone! This has been such a great week for me after several mundane ones, and for more reasons that just one! I lowered my sodium goal to 1800, upped my water intake, and started cooking more. Crazy how much of a difference that makes! After weeks of the scale doing nothing much, this week I lost five pounds!

Added to that, this man that I have a ridiculous crush on told me I was beautiful. :blushing: I was so surprised, I actually stuttered trying to say thank you! Now, to get from "beautiful" friend to girlfriend...

I hope everyone had a fabulous week!

Great job girl! That is awesome~ I hope we hear of the romance sparks flying soon! :flowerforyou:

ltlhmom

Hi my name is Robyn I am 31 years old. March 20 is my 1 year wedding aniversery, I have been with my husband 6 years. I have watched my sisters and my mom yo-yo from obese to skinny my whole life.
When I was in high school I was at a healthy weight. After high school I gain some but maintained around 185. When I was 23 I was diagnosed with hypothyroid I gained a bunch of weight, I know I was over 200lbs. I never did get the courage to get on the scale. I went on a diet that consisted mostly of chicken and vegtables, I manage to get down to 148 in 3 months. I meet my husband and have been putting on weight since. I gained about 25lbs in the first 3 months of being together. After that the weight gain slowed down. I was 203lbs at my wedding 6 months later I was up to 213.

I was at the point where I need to go by bigger jeans. I walked into the store grabed the next size up. I was looking at myself in the mirror in the bigger pants. What I saw wasn't my body, how had this happened. Where did those hips come from. (I am apple shaped, I don't have hips.) I took a picture of myself in those jeans and walked out of the store. I didn't want new jeans I wanted me back. So here I am.

I think I found the link to MFP in a magazine.

Great job at not buying those jeans and fighting the battle! I hated buying bigger clothes!

ltlhmom

I had an entire paragraph written for my introduction, got distracted then my macbook logged me out! GRRRR..

But me in a nutshell. I was a size 18 from age 14-23. Lost 60 pounds and wore a size 14/16 (I'm a serious pear shape with a lot of hips! It takes about 25 pounds for me to drop a size). I kept that weight off for about 5 years even though my goal weight is 180 (I am six feet tall). From 2008 until January 2011, I regained that original sixty pounds after some really big life changes (a failed marriage, a 900 mile move away from the east coast city to a one-horse town, a divorce and losing touch with my stepson who I am very close to). But in January of this year, I completed my PhD in anthropology and realized that if I can do that I can really do amid all that drama I really can do anything, because graduate school was something I often wondered and feared that I would never finish. But I did. So I joined MFP late last year, did nothing, did not log on much, etc. And finally, finally finally, I got a bit more serious about wanting to be healthy again and found this wonderful challenge, with amazing women to travel this journey with. And I have a long way to go, but just like with graduate school, I am finally starting to believe that I will get there. I know I can do it because I was halfway there once, and I will see ONEderland and a healthy BMI.

You are doing it girl! Rock on sister!!!

ltlhmom

I just had to celebrate this with all you wonderful gals, I am wearing my 12 size jeans for the first time since 2009 and boy does butt look awesome. I feel like I should take a picture.

I was planning on staying in all night and studying, but I think I might need to head to the mall and show off my new size 12 behind. Also, I'm going to Mexico in 2 weeks and all the shorts that fit me 3 weeks ago are too big!! What a wonderful problem to have. The only problem is that I'm reaching the part of my weight loss journey where soon all my clothes will be too big and it's going to get expensive. But I'll make it work because I'm so glad to say goodbye to size 18, 16, and now 14!! Can't wait for single digits!

Woohoo girl! You are doing so awesome!

ltlhmom

Hello Snowflakes! You guys are so awesome and I am so proud to be a part of this challenge. I nearly cried when I stepped on the scale today... I finally have a decent loss. I've upped my calories to 1400 so I will at least hit 1200. How did I get started on this journey? Well for me it was kind of strange. I have almost always been a healthy weight. I am retired Air Force so I was always active. In my early thirties I started having some major health issues. Medications, lack of exercise and motivation led me to start packing on the weight. I hit 235 a couple of years ago and decided something had to change. I actually lost quite a bit but then with my ankle problems started packing it on again. I hit 206 in December of last year. Something about crossing that 200 line really tweaked me out. I started noticing that I don't like my picture taken, I don't like my clothes, and don't even like me all that much. One of my friends told me about MPF. I had already signed up for Weight Watchers so I was actually tracking points and calories. Now I am strictly tracking on MPF and I have cancelled my weight watchers account. I love the support on here, and being able to track calories from my phone when I'm not near my desk. Weight watchers helped me learn what kinds of foods to eat and it is a great program. However, MPF has a larger database of foods and has you guys! I am not looking for a diet...but a lifestyle change that I can live with and maintain.

Injuries are hard! I also went through a time that my left ankle hurt i have to see the foot doctor and go to physical therapy. It is easy to make excuses for yourself and say I can't do that because of this but you aren't doing that! You are pushing through it and fighting for waht you want! Keep up the great work!!!

Krys_T

I am up a little this week .8 lbs. but I still have a smile on my face because I am still under 200lbs .

The day I am under 200 I may just cry my eyes out!:sad:
Good for you! Awesome job! :happy:

I am soooo with you on this one lol. When I see that 1 in front of the other 2 numbers OMG...that is going to be one heck of a day LOL. We will get there though girl! One day at a time!

ltlhmom

Hmm....How did I get started on this journey??

I have struggled with my weight since i was a kid. I was like 12 years old and i was wearing a bigger size than my 21 year old sister!! I started dieting when I started high school. My sophomore year I went through something very traumatic (i dont want to go into detail) but i ended up having to change schools, where my first friend just happened to be an anorexic/bulemic...so I unfortunately got pulled into the crazy unhealthy lifestyle. So i lost a ton of weight, a very unhealthy way. Then I moved to college where I gradually put on a few pounds but not anything too crazy. Well my ex boyfriend broke my heart, like i literally had a mental break down and i put on about 30lbs in about two years....which is insane!!! Well I finally got my life in order and started dating a great guy. Then As soon as I started working out i got pregnant and i just gave up!!! I was about 170lbs when I got pregnant and I was 206lbs when I had my daughter. After I had her I tried to lose weight on my own and I actually did pretty good. I got down to 166 and got stuck. I got so frustrated after not losing weight that i gave in and just ate crap!! I gained up to 179lbs in about 4 months!! Thats when i decided i absolutely had to change, not only for myself but for my daughter, i had to change the life i was living. So I found MFP shortly after i started dieting and so far i have lost 19.5lbs!!! in just a little over 3 months, and the best thing is that I am actually working out more than i ever have in my life!! I love that I am leading a healthy lifestyle now! and I can raise my daughter with healthy eating and exercising habits :happy:

Did you have to go to counseling for the eating disorder or were you able to break it on your own? Great job at finding the new you and loving all your positive changes that you are making for yourself to give your daughter a healthy mom! You are doing great! Keep up the great work!

ltlhmom

I am up a little this week .8 lbs. but I still have a smile on my face because I am still under 200lbs .

The day I am under 200 I may just cry my eyes out!:sad:
Good for you! Awesome job! :happy:

I am soooo with you on this one lol. When I see that 1 in front of the other 2 numbers OMG...that is going to be one heck of a day LOL. We will get there though girl! One day at a time!

Yes I can't wait for this day either! I think the whole world will be hearing me.

Steph_135

I am up a little this week .8 lbs. but I still have a smile on my face because I am still under 200lbs .

The day I am under 200 I may just cry my eyes out!:sad:
Good for you! Awesome job! :happy:

I am soooo with you on this one lol. When I see that 1 in front of the other 2 numbers OMG...that is going to be one heck of a day LOL. We will get there though girl! One day at a time!

Yes I can't wait for this day either! I think the whole world will be hearing me.

I feel the same way about the 180's. I don't remember that getting under 200 was such a big day for me (can't even remember it), but I know it's gonna be a great day to be 179!! Let's work it off!!

Steph_135

So I want us to share...how did we get here? How did we get to this point of feeling like we needed to lose weight, take our lives back, and become healthier? I know that we all have a story and different motivations for how we got to MFP. And why did we choose MFP and not Weight Watchers, NutriSystem, or Jenny Craig?

I love all the sharing going on! You all rock!! :happy:

My story:
I've always been overweight. When I was a kid, and through the start of high school, I was about 245 lbs (doctors scale was the only way I knew). My earliest dabbles in weight loss were thanks to my mom. She took me to this group fitness place (and I really liked it), where I could be active with other overweight kids. It was through them that I went to fat camp (I really liked that too, although I was starving from the small amount of food they were feeding us!). I lost 4 lbs at camp, and gained them back.

In grade 10, I tried the Carbohydrate Addict's Diet for 2 weeks and lost 10 lbs. Then gained them back. :blushing: In grades11 and 12 I lived with a really health conscious woman and babysat for her kids. I ate SO healthy when I was living there and walked 15 mins to school and back every day. That's how I lost a large portion of the 55 lbs that I lost before college! :bigsmile: I would eat really strict at her house during the week, but go home on weekends and pig out at home. So, you can see that it was bad news when I moved back home for good...

All through school I was active, playing basketball, being in various dance classes (for 8+ years), skating, swimming, and I still managed to be overweight! Watching my eating is one of the only things that has really worked for me in the past. To stay active, I've always used my treadmill (and lost 10 lbs over 3 months once), I do workout DVDs all the time, but often lose motivation with them, and I'm still doing the occasional dance and zumba classes.

Since high school I've now found that some of my friends are now on the heavier side, while I'm getting smaller and smaller. That's great motivation to keep on going!! In college I maintained 195 the entire time. This past year, with MFP I've made it below 185, and I now I keep bouncing around in the 180's like a pinball.

MFP is the best site I have found, and all of you fabulous people are here too, which makes it the GREATEST!! :smooched:

whittrusty

OMG. I went shopping yesterday and bought two pairs of size 12 shorts!!! And my mom (gotta love her) bought me a swimsuit that she thought I would like. Well, it fits perfectly and it looks awesome. I will feel completely comfortable in my swimsuit in Mexico, 3 weeks from today!!

Yesterday was such a great day!

Krys_T

Hmm....How did I get started on this journey??

I have struggled with my weight since i was a kid. I was like 12 years old and i was wearing a bigger size than my 21 year old sister!! I started dieting when I started high school. My sophomore year I went through something very traumatic (i dont want to go into detail) but i ended up having to change schools, where my first friend just happened to be an anorexic/bulemic...so I unfortunately got pulled into the crazy unhealthy lifestyle. So i lost a ton of weight, a very unhealthy way. Then I moved to college where I gradually put on a few pounds but not anything too crazy. Well my ex boyfriend broke my heart, like i literally had a mental break down and i put on about 30lbs in about two years....which is insane!!! Well I finally got my life in order and started dating a great guy. Then As soon as I started working out i got pregnant and i just gave up!!! I was about 170lbs when I got pregnant and I was 206lbs when I had my daughter. After I had her I tried to lose weight on my own and I actually did pretty good. I got down to 166 and got stuck. I got so frustrated after not losing weight that i gave in and just ate crap!! I gained up to 179lbs in about 4 months!! Thats when i decided i absolutely had to change, not only for myself but for my daughter, i had to change the life i was living. So I found MFP shortly after i started dieting and so far i have lost 19.5lbs!!! in just a little over 3 months, and the best thing is that I am actually working out more than i ever have in my life!! I love that I am leading a healthy lifestyle now! and I can raise my daughter with healthy eating and exercising habits :happy:

WOW! Well I am very proud of you for getting through your eating disorder! That is a HUGE accomplishment . Kudos to you for wanting to live a healthier lifestyle for your daughter

leandread

I am not looking for a diet...but a lifestyle change that I can live with and maintain.

**cheering** Me too! This is not a diet, but lifelong health and healthy habits..

leandread

My story:
I've always been overweight. When I was a kid, and through the start of high school, I was about 245 lbs (doctors scale was the only way I knew). My earliest dabbles in weight loss were thanks to my mom. She took me to this group fitness place (and I really liked it), where I could be active with other overweight kids. It was through them that I went to fat camp (I really liked that too, although I was starving from the small amount of food they were feeding us!). I lost 4 lbs at camp, and gained them back.

In grade 10, I tried the Carbohydrate Addict's Diet for 2 weeks and lost 10 lbs. Then gained them back. :blushing: In grades11 and 12 I lived with a really health conscious woman and babysat for her kids. I ate SO healthy when I was living there and walked 15 mins to school and back every day. That's how I lost a large portion of the 55 lbs that I lost before college! :bigsmile: I would eat really strict at her house during the week, but go home on weekends and pig out at home. So, you can see that it was bad news when I moved back home for good...
[/quote]


Steph, you are speaking my language. I remember only knowing how much I weighed through my 20s only through the doctor's scale. and yup, I did the Carbohydrate Addicts Diet too.


Oh, and whittrusty--Enjoy that size 12 on vacation. Strut!

Steph_135

OMG. I went shopping yesterday and bought two pairs of size 12 shorts!!! And my mom (gotta love her) bought me a swimsuit that she thought I would like. Well, it fits perfectly and it looks awesome. I will feel completely comfortable in my swimsuit in Mexico, 3 weeks from today!!

That's so great!!! :drinker: Congrats!!

Steph_135

Steph, you are speaking my language. I remember only knowing how much I weighed through my 20s only through the doctor's scale. and yup, I did the Carbohydrate Addicts Diet too.

AH! No way! You mean we have more than hips in common! :laugh:

Krys_T

Ok so I figured out my schedule for this week:

Sunday-
Jogging (I did this in place)-25 minutes (A.M.)
Zumba Sculpt and Time

Monday-
Zumba Cardio Party (P.M.)
Zumba 20 minute Abs (A.M.)

Tuesday-
Jogging (Outside)-30 minutes (A.M.)
Strength Training (Legs and Butt) (P.M.)

Wednesday-
Zumba Live (P.M.)

Thursday-
Rest

Friday-
Jogging (Outside) 30 minutes (A.M.)
Zumba 20 Minute Abs (P.M.)

Saturday-
Zumba Sculpt and Tone (A.M.)

*I am going to have to jog around my complex because I don't want to have to drive too far early in the morning.

I am hoping that this is a feasible schedule and something that I will see results with. I am going to have to drink LOADS of water because I know my muscles are going to be quite surprised LOL

Wish me luck!

barefootbeauty

So I want us to share...how did we get here? How did we get to this point of feeling like we needed to lose weight, take our lives back, and become healthier? I know that we all have a story and different motivations for how we got to MFP. And why did we choose MFP and not Weight Watchers, NutriSystem, or Jenny Craig? If you do not feel comfortable sharing yet, that is ok...definitely understandable.

How did I get here... hmmm... This forum was recommended by a friend of mine that was using it and I instantly loved it. Everyone was more positive then other sites I've been on and everyone seemed real. I was on here and then left and then came back and I'm here to stay!

My weight has been steadily climbing for the last five years. When I moved to the Cities I was 145lbs and rocking a size 8; before Thanksgiving of last year I was over 200 and straining to get into a 16. My rock bottom moment was a 2-part moment... First, I want to swim with my son and the local Y and I couldn't because my suit didn't fit anymore. I was too embarrassed to even admit this and I through it out. Then I was out with a few friends and a comment was made about me being a vegetarian... to which someone said "Really? I've never seen a fat vegetarian before".

Weight Watchers never worked for me and the other programs weren't an option for me because I try not to eat processed food. A big struggle of mine is a digestive issue that I've had since I was in my early 20's. Suffice to say that I can't eat certain foods because they make me sick.

I'm committed this time because of a few changes I'm making in my life. I'm leaving a corporate career to go back to school to study Holistic Healing and to become a Thai massage therapist.

That's my story!

Steph_135

Then I was out with a few friends and a comment was made about me being a vegetarian... to which someone said "Really? I've never seen a fat vegetarian before".

Weight Watchers never worked for me and the other programs weren't an option for me because I try not to eat processed food. A big struggle of mine is a digestive issue that I've had since I was in my early 20's. Suffice to say that I can't eat certain foods because they make me sick.

I'm committed this time because of a few changes I'm making in my life. I'm leaving a corporate career to go back to school to study Holistic Healing and to become a Thai massage therapist.

barefootbeauty... That's so cruel! :mad: I'm sorry you experienced that.
About the foods making you sick... sounds like food sensitivities to me. They don't show up on an allergy test, and it's best just to avoid them if you can figure them out for sure. That's why I always like going to naturopathic doctors.
Good for you for going back to school for Holistic Healing! That is commendable! :drinker:

IsMollyReallyHungry

Hello Snowflakes!!

It has been a long weekend. This week I plan to go to the gym at least 3 days since the weather is milder this week and Leslie Sansone the other days. I have to do damage control for poor eating today and yesterday. Back on track tomorrow.

I will try to catch up on 2 days of posts tomorrow. Have a good week all!:flowerforyou:

IsMollyReallyHungry

Daily Inspiration for February 13, 2011

Appreciate imperfection.

Some of the most precious gems in the world have flaws that do not diminish their worth. When a diamond is a deep yellow or brown, it is considered more valuable. So, what you might assume is a serious flaw is really a great strength.

Do you judge yourself by impossible standards? Do you berate yourself for lack of perfection? Your flaws make you unique and precious. Your sensitivity means you are compassionate. Not looking perfect makes you approachable. Surviving pain brings others hope. You are not a worthless rock; you are a precious gem.

Action for the day: Think of three people you admire. How do their flaws make them unique and precious? What flaws might people appreciate in you?

© 2009, Katie Jay. All rights reserved

ChantalC1969

Just came back from Hockey tournament... yes I know it's almost 2 in the morning... I HATE WINTER!!!! The roads were so bad... It took us almost 6 hours to come back home!!!! Anyway my daugther's team brought back the GOLD!!! YESSSSSSS!!!!!!!

My weigh-in as of last Friday was 299.8 lbs... I was so happy to be in the 200s and to have reach my 1st mini goal!!!


I will come back in the morning to read all your posts!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Sending you all !!!! I'm happy that you are part of my life and I love being part of yours!!! Thank you for being there!!!

Chantal:flowerforyou:

IsMollyReallyHungry

Just came back from Hockey tournament... yes I know it's almost 2 in the morning... I HATE WINTER!!!! The roads were so bad... It took us almost 6 hours to come back home!!!! Anyway my daugther's team brought back the GOLD!!! YESSSSSSS!!!!!!!

My weigh-in as of last Friday was 299.8 lbs... I was so happy to be in the 200s and to have reach my 1st mini goal!!!


I will come back in the morning to read all your posts!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Sending you all !!!! I'm happy that you are part of my life and I love being part of yours!!! Thank you for being there!!!

Chantal:flowerforyou:

Congrats on being in the 200's!!!:flowerforyou:

IsMollyReallyHungry

OMG. I went shopping yesterday and bought two pairs of size 12 shorts!!! And my mom (gotta love her) bought me a swimsuit that she thought I would like. Well, it fits perfectly and it looks awesome. I will feel completely comfortable in my swimsuit in Mexico, 3 weeks from today!!

Yesterday was such a great day!

Awesome!!! Congrats!:flowerforyou:

Jamaica113

Im really not sure how bad I did this week but I have had a rough week. I am sure I gained. My scale is broken so I cant tell for sure but I have to get motivated again.

healthydoseofglitter

Well now that we have been getting to know each other a little better over the past month or so...I wanted to post a topic for us to get to know each other even more and grant a better understanding of our motivation.


So I want us to share...how did we get here? How did we get to this point of feeling like we needed to lose weight, take our lives back, and become healthier? I know that we all have a story and different motivations for how we got to MFP. And why did we choose MFP and not Weight Watchers, NutriSystem, or Jenny Craig? If you do not feel comfortable sharing yet, that is ok...definitely understandable. I just want us to find other levels for us to connect on and be able to empathize or encourage each other.

Sorry I am late doing this. Busy weekend! Happy Valentine's Day

How did I get here? Well, a friend told me about MFP. I joined right away. Prior to MFP I had lost 30lbs doing Weight Watchers and going to Curves. Curves closed, WW was too expensive. I gained it all back over the course of a year. I am finally back down to what I was when I lost the 30lbs. Yay! MFP is something I can always do and use. Its FREE! I also learned to love to workout. I think that is key. I think you have to do some form of exercise even if its just walking to keep you going.

I think its is also important to let yourself recognize why you let your body gain the weight. For me eatting was a big part of my family, life revolved around food. I ate when I was happy/sad/mad didnt matter. The saying eat to live not live to eat is very true for me. I am learning what foods to cook that are better and portion sizes. Prior to dieting I would think nothing of eating 2 heaping bowls of pasta. I also know that this journey isnt going to be easy. There are going to be weeks were I will maintain and weeks that I slightly gain. It's all part of the process.