120 lbs lost on MFP in just over 7 months

slapshotgolf

What a month.

If I wasn't sure as to my resolution around my weight loss before today, now I have no doubts. Before this morning's weigh in at 258.2 lbs I had been stuck in the 260-270 lb range. I have now lost 121.8 lbs in just over 7 months since joining MFP on November 10th, 2010.

The start of summer, and its beer tempations, countless family celebrations, and probably some weight loss fatigue contributed to one of the slowest loss periods since I started this weight loss journey back in November.

Stuff I learned:

The "muscle weighs more than fat" factor finally caught up to me. I've been doing the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred (highly recommended for newbies to strength/cardio training). I can tell my body shape has benefitted, and I've had several compliments over my appearance - all while the scale failed to move much.

Nothing beats jogging when it comes to dropping pounds. I jogged less during the last month - and while my body needed a bit of a break from the constant pounding, less running contributed to a slower loss.

Eatling late is still a killer. I suspended my gym membership for the summer and invested in a set of Bowflex Selecttech Dumbells to assist with my home workouts. (Too nice outside to spend time on a treadmill, and I've been doing the 30 DS in my basement 4 or 5 times a week). Problem is, I'm now at home at night, and have found myself munching late at night, exceeding my calorie intake, at a time when I used to be at the gym working out. I need to go to bed earlier if I can't resist the temptation to munch.

Weight loss gets harder as you get closer to your target. This one I kind of knew going in - but I had grown spoiled with big losses - 30 lbs in the first month, then 20, then 15.....now I'm working hard to just lose the recommended 10 per month. No matter....this is not a race.

Overall, and this one is a biggie - I can lose weight without obsessing over it. Even though its taken me about 40 days to drop these last 10-11 lbs, who cares? I still lost weight. Yeah, I endulged in a few beers and BBQ's along the way, but that's ok. The key is that you don't let one bad day become 2 bad days, become a week and ultimately a failure. I'm pretty committed to this new lifestyle which includes responsible eating and exercise...I can't be stopped until I stop.

Good luck to all of you, and feel free to send me a friend request if you wish to view my diary and follow me the rest of my way (63 lbs to go!) Thanks to all my MFP friends who give me constant encouragement and hold me accountable to my goals every day!

SSG

twooliver

You're such an inspiration!!! Love that you've accepted this journey and are committed to it for life!! You go!

k8bugz

Good job!

kylielouttit

Amazing! Congrats on being a healthy you! I hope your family is proud!

dsak

Wow.... great job... another inspiring story!!!! I'm sure you'll continue on with your success!!!!

AngieM76

Thank you for posting!! You are an inspiration! Nice work!

drvvork

Congratulations on your accomplishments!!! Such an inspiration!:flowerforyou:

cjwolfjen

Um, considering the average healthy weight loss is 4-5 lbs a month, you are doing amazing. Don't beat yourself up dude. You're awesome. Keep it up

bethdris

Congrats!! I'm in the last 11 pounds to hit my goal weight. My orgional goal was to be at my prewedding weight before our 12 yr annivesary this Dec. ( I already got there). So if I lose .5 a week ror 2.5 a week it doesn't matter, what matters is I am still losing, and this is a LIFESTYLE change, not a "diet". We will all get to our goals if we stick with it!

jocelynlewis

Thanks for the post, you are such an inspiration to us all, and I feel you on the gym thing for the summer, I also canceled my membership for the summer, so I can work on my goals for jogging!:)

sophjakesmom

The key is that you don't let one bad day become 2 bad days, become a week and ultimately a failure.

After 20 years of dieting, I finally learned this rule! it has made all the difference. Congrats to you on the amazing loss and more importantly you new healthy lifestyle. You have definitely seemed to learn the right lessons. These next 60lbs have no hope of defeating you!! :drinker:

mikeyrp

Brilliant: Very impressed.

1lb every 4 days is still a great rate of loss... As you get closer to your target 1lb a week is quite normal/good. Most importantly you are doing it the right way - i.e. still enjoying life.

Happy & Healthy is my motto - looks like you are hitting this head on!

Aaish

Wow it's so motivating to read success stories like yours ESP for newbies like me.... Thanks for all the tips you're doing great mate just keeping going:-) Cheers!!

Fattack

You have done brilliantly. Good luck with the rest of your journey!

I endulged in a few beers and BBQ's along the way, but that's ok. The key is that you don't let one bad day become 2 bad days, become a week and ultimately a failure.

This is something I also picked up this time around - after years of unsuccessful dieting - partially because life would get in the way, I'd overindulge, and then see an "up" number on the scales, be demotivated, eat more, and give up. It's so important for us to remember that, ok, we may go over one day by 500, 1000, heck, maybe even more than that - but is that really such a big number when we compare it to the thousands / tens of thousands, and for some of us (and definitely you, OP), hundreds of thousands of calories we've been making defecit since we started? It's a drop in the ocean

dustyhockeymom

Overall, and this one is a biggie - I can lose weight without obsessing over it. Even though its taken me about 40 days to drop these last 10-11 lbs, who cares? I still lost weight. Yeah, I endulged in a few beers and BBQ's along the way, but that's ok. The key is that you don't let one bad day become 2 bad days, become a week and ultimately a failure. I'm pretty committed to this new lifestyle which includes responsible eating and exercise...I can't be stopped until I stop.

I think this is the key. I have been doing some of this in the four months I have been working on changing my lifestyle too. It has probaby contributed to a few minor slowdowns, but it has also allowed me not to feel deprived and to be able to continue to enjoy my time with my friends and family. If we don't allow ourselves the opportunity to enjoy life then we will never be able to maintain past the "diet" Personally I don't want to live a life where I can't enjoy a good BBQ sometimes.

Congrats on your success and continued journey.

MrsRobertson1005

bump

bpdai

Congratulations, and thanks for posting this. Your success will undoubtedly contribute to mine. The sharing of thoughts, ideas and insprirations is what keeps me coming back to MFP. I like to harvest those little ideas that I think I can apply to my own struggle. Keep up the good work!

Fitzpoppa

Very awesome post. I am stuck at the 260 mark and yo yo between 255 and 265 for the last few months. I'm gonna try the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred and see what transpires. Thank you for sharing your story.

healthyjen342

PHENOMENAL WORK! Congrats on your success! YOU INSPIRE ME!

yanicka

Congrat, great job. In the same time you lost 120 pounds, I lose 14....just to let you know that the last few are hell to lose.

mzjandiace

I love reading your post everyday!

zoombie_bear

bravo and thanks for including your story, you are an inspiration. You know your positive and negative sides of this journey... I'm very proud of you and would like to add you as a friend support. Sending you the invite now.

Myself have lost 50lbs since January 2011 and all that you wrote is true...
the closer you get to an idea bmi the harder it is to lose. But the body is shaping itself and yes muscle weight more, I so hate my scale! lol

have a great wk
thanks for posting your story

OneFitMom_

Great job!!!!!

disappearingact206

"Overall, and this one is a biggie - I can lose weight without obsessing over it. Even though its taken me about 40 days to drop these last 10-11 lbs, who cares? I still lost weight. Yeah, I endulged in a few beers and BBQ's along the way, but that's ok. The key is that you don't let one bad day become 2 bad days, become a week and ultimately a failure. I'm pretty committed to this new lifestyle which includes responsible eating and exercise...I can't be stopped until I stop. "

i ABSOLUTELY agree with this statement! The girls that I work with that are also on their own weight loss journey, we have a saying, "NEXT BREATH" ... meaning exactly what you are saying. Don't let one slip turn all your hard work into a failure!!! Congrats on getting out the 260's! im working on getting out the 300's... it's taking a little longer than expected however, im still losing weight, oz by oz and inch by inch

Keep up the great work! I know you hear this all the time but you truly are inspirational!!!!

Slimmer72

That is a great job you have accomplished I am like you right now. I am at 270 and I was 386 when I started in Novemeber. I find it harder to lose weight also. I don't munch late night but I do cheat one day out of the week. Its been one of the hardest challenges to accomplish but we can't give up now we got to keep on fighting. We both have came so far and we need strive to hit that goal. Just think of those people who started noticing and telling you that you lost weight. Think about all those clothes that don't fit anymore cause they are so loose. Keep working hard cause I am trying my hardest to catch up to you.

Sonchie

SSG...GREAT JOB! I am you ten years in your future, LOL.....and I can confirm that no matter how long it takes to lose it, what really matters is keeping it off. The only way to do that is stay consistent. When you see you need to make another change, then do it, but expect small setbacks! We are flesh and flesh is tempted, but if its a commitment, you will forgive your mistakes and move forward again.

It took me 3-4 years to lose 100lbs. but most importantly Ive kept it off for more than 10 years. Being healthy and happy to look in the mirror is WAY better than beer or(in my case) fried foods. I know I must exercise often and watch what I eat daily. I love my gym membership and I LOVE group classes. Ive also learned to love running too. My real key is my faith! I ask God to help me through each and everyday. Also, as you can see I use MFP to help me stay accountable. I eat a jellybean, I log it in!

Im always so happy to see other success stories and Just want to encourage you to keep going especially when you plateau! Then when you reach your goal, you can incorporate some of the things you really love back into your diet. Ive learned there isnt many foods out there that cant be altered to a more healthy version! Keep it up and you will reach your goal!

missbp

Great story! I agree with you in that the summer months come with lots of temptation. Like you, I am committed to staying on track. Wishing you continued success!!! Thanks for sharing with us!

Michelle

Rosyz

WTG!

alain0207

I love that you are pointing out all the factors (good and bad) you are doing great!