I've Maintained THREE years...and counting! :)

TamTastic

Hi guys!

Well, today.....1/15/2012 is my THREE YEAR anniversary of meeting my goal weight. :drinker: :drinker: I lost 135 lbs in 16th months!!

It's been three years full of ups and downs, celebrations and not so great times. I guess I am especially proud today because losing the weight is a lot of hard work, takes patience and willpower.......but keeping it off is a whole other ballgame. But because the way I did it this time...was DIFFERENT than any other time before....losing it slowly and healthy, educating myself and slowly making changes and inching into a new way of living......keeping it off...while not EASY..is not exactly difficult either. It just IS. Because the way I live is different than before.

Since meeting my goal weight, I had a second baby! He's now over 2. I also went through a pretty nasty divorce as well as many other life changes...job, friends, etc. I've had an eye opener about who my true friends are. I don't know if it was losing weight...or getting divorced..but there was a lot of ugliness from so called "friends"..during one of the most difficult times of my life. But the way I see it, my "circle" has been narrowed down...but in a good way! I much prefer quality over quantity.

My point is that life does not have to derail you. I didn't let it. I WOULDN'T let it. I made my health and my sanity a priority as without that, my boys would not have the mother they deserve. The gym is my stress relief now. Wow, who would have ever thought that would happen?! :laugh:

I never assume I've "got this"...and I pray regularly for continued strength to do this. But I feel pretty confident and that's because I did it without suffering or feeling like I was "missing out". That's so important. We don't want food to define us or define happiness however....food is a part of celebrations and we all deserve to enjoy it. The key is controlling it..not allowing it to control you.

Just keep on....know that it IS possible to do this and it IS possible to keep it off. I am physical proof of it!

Good luck! I know you can do it!!

xoxoxo
-Tam

P.S. for those that recently joined. Here are a couple of threads I started. One is how I did it..and the other is my before and after pics.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/81336-the-keys-to-my-success?error_user_id=39610&error_username=TamTastic&hl=the+keys+to+my+success

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/129824-tamtastic-before-and-after?error_user_id=39610&error_username=TamTastic&hl=Tamtastic+before+and+after

pipinana

Three years already? I remember you hit your goal right after I joined. Proud of you Tam.

sanifrey

Congratulations!! You continue to amaze, inspire, support & motivate! Thank you!!

Tori_356

You are a great inspiration to everyone ... I love your post keys to success! Very awesome that you've kept it off too

Nosila0815

Congratulations on maintaining. That is one of my biggest fears and I am so close to my goal. Thanks for being an inspiration and showing that I can take it off and keep it off.

MountainMamaMarissa

Congratulations on your 3rd year anniversary! Thanks for the inspiration!

jennarandhayes

Such an amazing story, you are a true inspiration! Thanks for sharing and congrats! x

themommie

CONGRATS on keep it off, it truly is a HUGE accomplishment especially through having a baby and divorce. WOW you are such a strong person and good for you for not letting it derail your efforts. I am so close to goal only 5 more lbs to reach 100 lb loss but learning to maintain seems so scary....:frown:

Spedden

Thanks so much for writing! I've been nervous about maintaining. Taking it off was very gratifying, watching the scale go down and shopping for smaller clothes. If you can do it with 2 small children and while going through a divorce, though, that gives me inspiration. I like what you wrote, that life doesn't have to derail you. The best of everything to you and your loved ones! :flowerforyou:

cmriverside

I love it when you post. Congratulations on your outstanding continued success, and not just in the weight loss.

You have been a beacon of hope for many, and a powerful source of positivity.

I wish you many more years of healthy living.

Cheryl

upwiththesun

Maintaining is the hardest part and you have proved that nothing can defeat you! Inspirational!

ChellieIrish

Just went and peeked at your before and afters OMG you have done an amazing job :bigsmile: Big kudos especially with everything that has gone on during it you are a strong woman and a big inspiration :drinker:

JeanneTops

Thank you for posting this! I joined two years ago and I read your posts over and over again that first year.

I never assume I've "got this"...and I pray regularly for continued strength to do this. But I feel pretty confident and that's because I did it without suffering or feeling like I was "missing out". That's so important. We don't want food to define us or define happiness however....food is a part of celebrations and we all deserve to enjoy it. The key is controlling it..not allowing it to control you.

Just keep on....know that it IS possible to do this and it IS possible to keep it off. I am physical proof of it!

Good luck! I know you can do it!!

xoxoxo
-Tam

I remember this being one of your messages and it's helped me organize my thinking during my first year. I've lost 95 pounds now and I'm slowly easing into "maintenance." In truth, I don't believe in maintenance - my weight loss is slowing down and how I eat and exercise now is how I intend to continue for the rest of my life. Your example taught me the importance of that.

I'm so glad you came back and posted. It's so unusual to hear from someone who has successfully kept it off and it means a lot to know that it is possible!

Hayesgang

Thank you for posting :flowerforyou:


I am 1lb from goal, which I have probably surpassed but I haven't been on the scale for 2 weeks - Why you ask, FEAR!!!

To be honest I'm scared to weigh in because for me the loss has been easy this time, I've had a shift in my thinking as far as my body and food goes. It's maintaining that I have always had a problem with and I don't want to go back ever again, but reading your post I see that it can be done as long as I am as diligent in the future as I am now.

Congratulations and Thank you for inspiring me!!!

TamTastic

I'm so glad to hear from all of you and to know it helps! I know it helps me to hear of people keeping it off. My way of life is just THAT..it's not a lifestyle change in process..or losing weight. It's just how I live now. I changed my brain. I think that is the only way to be succesful in maintenance. If you think of it as temporary or a diet...then it won't last. If you look at it as a new way of living and do it in a way that is EASY to do because you've figured out what works for you....then you will succeed!!

I know how scary maintenace is. But it doesn't have to be. Just stay in control. If you can lose it you can definitely keep it off. No doubt about it!!

skinnydreams

I remember that day, we were and are still soooo proud of you!!!!

Verity1111

I'm so jealous at the moment and you look like you worked really hard to look so wonderful! You're so accomplished and inspirational. :]

nicintime

Congratulations!

I am WAY more impressed by maintenance stories than I am with weight loss stories.

I am convinced that diets don't work - long term. Only a lifestyle change works and your story proves it.

Congrats again, and thanks for telling your story!

SparkleShine

So proud of you! You really are a big inspiration!

Whodatgirl77

Great post and even greater job well done! Thanks for sharing!

WalkWell

I have had weight fluctuations most of my life, but this time am doing it slowly and reeducating myself too. (on here I lost 5kg, but the year before I joined I lost 16kg), so it IS encouraging to hear you say that by doing that way maintenance becomes natural enough.

thank you

kelseyessex

That is amazing, can't wait to read your other threads keep up the good work, you are an inspiration to us all x

sedativestorm

That's amazing...I"m bumping this to read your other thread later Way to keep it off and congrats!

ComeAroundSundown

That's fantastic! Congratulations :flowerforyou:

TamTastic

Thanks so much everyone!! I love the feedback on my posts and love hearing that they're helpful to you!!

Melmade

You are amazing!!!

Renee2GetFit

Thank you so much for sharing. This was the first time I've read your story and I'm glad I did - I got lots of good tips out of it. You're doing an amazing job and are so beautiful - great job!!!

_xoxok

You're amazing! & Such an inspiration. Thank you for sharing! :flowerforyou:

fuzzimama

That is awesome! Thanks so much for your inspirational story. I'm not too far off my goal weight, but having been yo-yoing between 5 and 20kg overweight for 20 years, the thought of maintaining is both exciting and daunting! I've built a few extra kgs into my goal (i.e. lowered it, to allow myself a little buffer) because I don't want to log calories forever. My plan is to try and keep a close eye on my weight, without logging, then jump right back on MFP at the first sign of a problem (i.e. a persistent 2kg increase for example, wouldn't be seen as a normal fluctuation). I've always said "Once I get down to xyz weight, then I definitely won't put it on again, trouble is, I've never quite got there, and I've allowed myself to gain again when I've been about 5kg short of my goal.

Do you still log regularly, or have you developed habits that mean you don't have to all the time?

wellbakedwoman

We love you no matter what! I have a deep appreciation for honest and kind people like yourself. It's kinda scary as sometimes people will change towards you when you improve your health. I have tried to put every scenario and understand, but then again I have placed lots of scenario's as to why I keep my weight on? All I know is God will place people in your life and he will also take them out......so I just do alot of praying for strength, forgiveness, and also the strength I need to take the steps to a healthier me. Thank you for sharing your life Tam! God Bless You!
Love, Lisa

Birdy

I've been inspired by your posts, pictures and your positive determined attitude. My dad died at 62 and my mom had a massive stroke at 62 and lived in a nursing home for 8 years before she died. I was quite young when this all happened and I told myself I would do anything to avoid this myself. For the most part, I've been reasonably healthy, but stress has had its way with my diet and lifestyle over the last 5 years and I've put on weight. Now, I'm working on getting things back on track. Just wanted to tell you that there are many admirable qualities to your story.