The promised land is not a myth, but starvation mode might b

tsmith6569

I have to share my thoughts in the hopes that it might motivate others. And I won't lie, it feels pretty good to live life on the other side of hard work! I began MFP in late December 2010, 2 1/2 years after a hysterectomy/tummy tuck because my weight was out of control! My oldest son was getting married on a family cruise in June and I was DETERMINED to look good. Although I did have a tummy tuck, I looked terribly flabby and out of shape, not to mention reaching an all time high for me (including pregnant weights) of 158. I almost outweighed my 6'1" husband! I logged faithfully, eating as cleanly as possible and working hard on the treadmill and with free weights. I realized I had been lying to myself for years and only cheating my own self out of wonderful results. So, I logged FAITHFULLY! My original goal was 135. I exceeded that by the cruise. I maintained my weight on that 7 day food fest and have continued losing ...to my current weight of 131.7 and new goal of 129. I am thinking part of my success has been it has taken my body almost 3 years to adjust to the hormone imbalance of surgical menopause, but much of it is due to this website and the motivation and support I have received from good people like you reading this now! Also, I cycled my calories going as low as 600 a day (WITH the support of my doctor!) I never ever stayed there past 3 days in a row, and I didn't have to do it often but it worked! I still to this day believe I have enough body fat to stave off "starvation mode" for several days, MAYBE weeks. I highly recommend talking with your doctor as well AND on the flip side, I cycled in a few 1600-1700 calorie days just to mix it up. I almost always eat back my exercise calories and in looking at my progress/fitness report, I have averaged just at 1200 calories a day for over 6 months. Again, I hope this helps someone because it feels so good to pull out those clothes that I just couldnt get rid of, couldnt admit I was too fat for them, then try them on and have them FIT! and look good and feel good doing it. Thanks for listening and best of luck to all!

Kittyfeliz

Omigosh, 600 calories must have been SO hard! You've really done awesome, you have come so far and you look so good!

tsmith6569

thanks Kitty!...it was tough, especially the 3rd day so sometimes I only made it one day! It is hard to get proper nutrition at those amounts too but it was a perfect kick start for me

photorific

Motivation taken - thanks! And you look MAH-VEL-OUS!!!