20lbs can be a success right?

FatGruff

Back in April, I decided I was going to get rid of my beer gut, man boobs, and puppy fat. Too many holiday pictures made me squint awkwardly...enough was enough.

My starting weight was 202lbs. Instead of dieting, I relied on portion control and actively going to the gym. By the beginning of August, I was down to 180lbs. Family visiting for 2 weeks, and a week long vacation put me back up, but I'm back down hovering at the 180lb mark.

The thing is, I'm really proud of what I've achieved so far, but everyone that posts on MFP loses so much weight. My 20lb loss can still be a success right? I think so...kinda.

committowalk

20 lbs is absolutely a success!! I'm only down 7 lbs and I'm super proud of myself. Every little bit counts and what counts is that you are making efforts and going in the right direction. Keep it up and be proud!!

robnels63

Any loss is a success

Great work

zebisis

Yes, of course!! I am stoked about my 23lbs!! I still have 30-35lbs to go, but I am lighter than I have been in 5 years. That is some serious *kitten*, and nothing to sneeze at!!!

Awesome job! You should just be glad that you don't NEED to lose a momentous amount. 20lbs is hard to lose, especially when you are closer to your goal weight.

Gallowmere1984

Don't think of it as just 20 pounds. Think of it as you lost 10% of your starting bodyweight, and I am sure most (if not all of it) was fat.

deniseblossoms

Yes. And I bet it feels good! You set a goal and accomplished it. Be happy that you got control of your weight before you had to lose more than 20.

FatGruff

Awesome support! Thanks guys!

Never thought about it as losing 10% of my body weight, what a great way to look at it.

mumreeder

any weight loss is a success! Well done to you - you deserve to be proud of yourself.

Stenobun

Of course it's a success! I'm down 22 so far, and I didn't think it was a big deal until I put it into perspective. I picked up two of my heavier cats and was thinking, wow, I lost both of these guys in weight! They felt really heavy and it was great to think I wasn't lugging that around anymore!

USMC1968

EVERY negative pound is a success...

DaveQuail

Major success! Well done!

JesterMFP

Of course it's a success! Every step closer to a healthy weight is a success, and 20 lbs is not easy to lose. Well done, you should definitely be proud!

toberdawg

I found this video enlightening! Here is the address. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFjhmddDPRw

(copy and paste)

lynndeye

Absolutely! I'm down 13 and it's not easy. I have dealt with weight all of my life and I have to work for every pound, which makes success that much sweeter! Be proud of your yourself...it's a big accomplishment!

m2nc

Any loss is a success and you have done it twice now! SO be proud of your accomplishment and keep moving those numbers down to where you want them!

FatGruff

Awesome, awesome stuff. Thanks for the support and for re-cementing the good work so far!

petejjcharlton

Well done that's excellent, I was told by my pharmacist lose 10% of your weight and live 10 years longer, which really inspired me to lose the pounds.

jman369

progress not perfection...that's the success

Cmg7664

Of course it is a succuss! Congratulations.....keep up the good work!

conniehv40

The health benefits of losing 20 pounds are incredible! There are benefits that we can't see, but they are there!

One example: I have a book about cancer (family loss makes you start reading different books about different issues). It says that when you stop GAINING weight, your chances of cancer lessen. but when you LOOSE weight, the percentage of not getting cancer goes up much higher !

Sharon_C

Absolutely! I consider any weight loss a success. Great job!!!!

lilylover2012

Have you gone to the gym or even the workout section in the store and picked up 20 pounds worth of weights? It's definitely a lot!!!!! Be proud of every little bit you lose!

And hey, if you're trying to lose more, know that you will. I'm just doing portion control too and working out every so often. Weight takes time to come off no matter what you do, just as it takes some sacrifice and dedication no matter what you do. Keep it up!

kage5678

I personally don't think any one should ever "diet" you need to change your lifestyle to cause you to be a healthier weight. You have changed your lifestyle to 20 pound lighter you, that is awesome

SuffolkSally

Of course it's a success! I'm down 22 so far, and I didn't think it was a big deal until I put it into perspective. I picked up two of my heavier cats and was thinking, wow, I lost both of these guys in weight! They felt really heavy and it was great to think I wasn't lugging that around anymore!

That genuinely made me laugh out loud - thank you. I have about the heaviest cat ever but I've still lost more than he weighs, and every time I pick him up now I shall think of this.

getskinnyby25

20lbs is Amazing!! I want to lose 20lbs. Sometimes I feel like its the smaller numbers that are hardest too lose! For someone who has a lot of weight to lose it's easy, but when you don't start out obese it is Really hard to lose 20. Be Proud!

Beethoven1827

I was happy enough to think I'd lost 1 1/2 of my friend's 10lb baby just after he was born (if that makes sense!). He's a bruiser, though, and is putting it on quicker than I can lose it now! But I love thinking about what I've got rid of in terms of 'real' things. 20lb is a lot of bags of sugar or flour, or heaps of packs of butter.

Well done you

FatGruff

Been great to receive the encouragement! Thanks everyone!! Helps me keep it up and march forever onwards!