Always heavy and finally lost it? Tell me about it!

Long_and_Lean

Hi all,

I've been a member for a little while but have recently started making a serious effort again to count my calories and reach my goal, since I just realized that I've ballooned up to 189lbs from my usual 175lbs again. I've lost some weight by counting calories in the past, but never made it below 165lbs or so -- my goal is somewhere between 140-150lbs, which I don't feel is too lofty a goal for someone that's 5'8". I should also say that I already lead a pretty active lifestyle, I'm a professional belly dancer and rehearse a minimum of 1 hour daily, teach dance classes and take ballet/pilates twice a week. I don't just want to lose weight, I want to be stronger and more flexible, so I can be the best dancer I can be.

I used to envy folks that could eat whatever they want and not gain weight, but I've come to accept that everyone is different, and I'm not one of those folks and that's ok. I never had a fast-food/soda diet, but I do love me a good spaghetti carbonara, molten chocolate cake or croissant, if you catch my drift. However, there are a plethora of delicious and healthy foods out there that I am embracing (baked kale chips anyone??? delicious!), and my arteries are probably happier than those of skinny people who eat junk. Maybe once I reach my goal I can have a treat every once in a while, but the key here is every once in a while. I'll likely count my calories for life. It's a lifestyle, and I am starting to like it.

So all in all, I feel like I have a reasonable and healthy approach to weight loss. I want to believe that I can do this, but there is one major doubt that lingers in my head. I have been on the heavy side ALL MY LIFE. I was a chubby baby. I was the biggest girl in the class from kindergarten to high school. I've hovered between a size 12/14 my entire adult life. So folks, I ask you this: are there any of you out there with a similar past who have successfully lost the weight and kept it off? How'd you do it? (Duh, diet and exercise, right?) What kept you motivated?

I've read many of the before/after stories, and they are so inspiring, reading about the success of others really helps keep me going. But those stories rarely mention if they gained the weight during adulthood (due to stress, lifestyle changes, pregnancy, whatever) or if they had been heavy since early childhood. So if you've successfully lost the weight after being heavy all your life, please let me hear from you!