9 1/2 months and 100 pounds gone!
jenf235
Posts: 157 Member
I promised myself that I would post my "story" when I lost 100 pounds. As it got close, I stated getting nervous; but, I am going to put myself out there in the hopes that this story will inspire at least one person to push through a rough patch and not give up. So here we go!
I have always been the "fat" one in my family and group of friends. In order to mask my insecurities, I used humor to hide my pain. Everyone always said, "you should be a comedian," when in actuality, they were looking at a very sad person. I feared situations in which I had to meet new people because I had NO self esteem! I always surrounded myself with family and friends who accepted me as I was. That in itself, was a blessing and a curse at the same time!
Last May, I went on vacation with my family. I was so excited to take this trip. I boarded the plane for my first time in First class! I felt like a princess until I went to buckle the safety belt and it didn't fit. In a moment of panic and humiliation, I had to admit to my dad that I needed help. I wanted to disappear because I felt like a true disappointment and embarrassment to him. The same situation occurred on the other three flights as well. My dad showed such compassion and acceptance and played it off as nothing, but in my world, it was sheer humiliation. The same situation occurred when my dad offered me a ride in his new corvette. I held the seatbelt as close to the latch as I could, but there was no way I could get it to latch. I again felt like an embarrassment.
These situations did not stop my cycle of self destruction! I went back to the life I was used to. When times were good, I ate. When times were bad, I ate. When I was bored, I ate. And these meals were more than just snacks...they could have fed 3 or 4 people! I was out of control!
As a second grade teacher, I often have to get my picture taken when my students make their First Communions. Last year, I got ready to go, and I felt like a million dollars, until I saw the picture from one of my parents. I was horrified and again felt totally humiliated at the sight of the woman in that picture, I was HUGE!
As summer vacation began, I continued on my same pattern of behavior. On June 12th, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror while I was eating and I was truly disgusted. I didn't like the woman who was looking back at me. I didn't like her on the inside or the outside. I had to do something. I threw away what I was eating, put on a pair of shoes, and did 35 minutes of exercising on my gazelle machine...or what had been my coat rack for years! Then I began to keep an exercise and food journal. I made a vow to myself that I was going to do something about the mess of a woman that I had let myself become. I was too embarrassed to ask anyone for help or even share that I had made the decision to change my life. On June 15th, I decided to stop having fast food, and to cut down on pop and alcohol.
At the end of June, I finally included my dad in this journey I had begun. I asked him to go walking with me. We walked 4 miles, very slowly at about 20 minute miles. I pulled out of his driveway to go home and I sobbed the entire way home! I was in so much pain! My legs, feet, and back ached, and there was blood all over my feet from the blisters! What had I let myself become? I promised myself that I would not give up...no matter how much pain was involved.
I kept that promise to myself! A few days later, I went walking with a friend and did 5 1/2 miles. I began using an app on my phone to track my miles and I started to set realistic, small, attainable goals. I kept walking, I kept using my journal, and I kept watching my foods.
On July 8th, a friend told me about MFP. I joined that day! I went home to weigh myself but the scale kept giving an error. What a moment for my scale to be broken! Unfortunately that was not the case. The scale was not broken, it just didn’t go that high! I will never forget yet another moment of humiliation as I sat on the edge of the tub and sobbed, 299 pounds! Again I asked, "What have I let myself become?" I dried the tears, accepted the fact that I had an unimaginable task ahead of me, and I kept going.
As the weeks went on, the weight began to come off. I started meeting little goals. At 20 pounds, I bought a new pair of shoes. At 40 pounds I would get a new dress. At 55 pounds, I was going to buy a new piece of jewelry. It was like a fairytale story, right? Wrong! I met my 20 pound goal and I was thrilled! I was getting close to my 40 pound goal and my dad issued a challenge. He offered to buy my dress for me if I met my goal by a certain date. For the fashion diva, this was incentive! Unfortunately, I doubted myself. I was close to my goal, but I wasn't sure I would make it. I didn't want to be embarrassed yet again by failing, so I stopped eating for two days and worked out for hours each day. BIG MISTAKE!!! I hated myself for what I had done to get that dress and I promised myself that I would never pull that stupid stunt again!
I got back on track and continued to see results. I had set backs along the way when I was faced with people who were not supportive of my attempt to save myself. They made me question my ability to meet any more goals, they downplayed my hard work, and wouldn't even let me share my excitement or fears. As much as it hurt me, I had to distance myself from those people. I surrounded myself with friends who pushed me to keep working hard and I relied on my MFP friends to keep me on track.
So now we are in April. How did I get here? I just kept walking and doing aerobics videos! When I started this journey, I was doing 20 minute miles, and today, I am doing 13-14minute miles. I have walked over 1,000 miles to date! At the beginning, I could barely do 15 minutes of aerobics, but today I can go for over an hour! I used to stand up in front of my students with a fake, but very convincing smile that hid my pain and shame; but today, I stand before them stronger, more confident and happier than I have ever been. I can finally be the role model that my students deserve!
Are there still days that I feel discouraged and frustrated? YES! Are there days that I want to give up? YES! Are there days that I let others criticize me? YES! How do I get through these hard times? I cry my eyes out and then turn to my friends and move on. No one can take this accomplishment from me!
On July 8th I faced an unimaginable goal. I stood alone at 299 pounds. Today, I have officially lost 100 pounds and have seen a drop of 16.1 points from my BMI! I am not finished as I still have 9 pounds to hit my first goal. I WILL meet that goal, and then I will continue to strive to lose an additional 30 pounds. I will succeed.
To those of you who think you cannot do this, look at me! If I can do it...anyone can do it! This is not a quick fix. It takes a lot of work and a lot of time. We are on a journey that is filled with hills and potholes, stumbles and falls, and lots of blood sweat and tears. This is the journey of a lifetime. When you feel like you cannot keep going, turn to your MFP friends! Feel free to add me, I will do anything to motivate you to keep going. My MFP friends have seen me at my lowest and picked me up, and they have celebrated with me at my times of success. We are in the battle of our lives, and we will conquer the enemy.
That fake smile that hid my secret shame has been replaced by a genuine smile of the pride of a truly happy woman! Thank you for sharing in my story and my journey. It has been a wild ride!
This is from May 2012 - 299 pounds, size 24 W
[img][/img]
This picture was taken yesterday morning at 100 pounds lost! Size 16!
[img][/img]
I have always been the "fat" one in my family and group of friends. In order to mask my insecurities, I used humor to hide my pain. Everyone always said, "you should be a comedian," when in actuality, they were looking at a very sad person. I feared situations in which I had to meet new people because I had NO self esteem! I always surrounded myself with family and friends who accepted me as I was. That in itself, was a blessing and a curse at the same time!
Last May, I went on vacation with my family. I was so excited to take this trip. I boarded the plane for my first time in First class! I felt like a princess until I went to buckle the safety belt and it didn't fit. In a moment of panic and humiliation, I had to admit to my dad that I needed help. I wanted to disappear because I felt like a true disappointment and embarrassment to him. The same situation occurred on the other three flights as well. My dad showed such compassion and acceptance and played it off as nothing, but in my world, it was sheer humiliation. The same situation occurred when my dad offered me a ride in his new corvette. I held the seatbelt as close to the latch as I could, but there was no way I could get it to latch. I again felt like an embarrassment.
These situations did not stop my cycle of self destruction! I went back to the life I was used to. When times were good, I ate. When times were bad, I ate. When I was bored, I ate. And these meals were more than just snacks...they could have fed 3 or 4 people! I was out of control!
As a second grade teacher, I often have to get my picture taken when my students make their First Communions. Last year, I got ready to go, and I felt like a million dollars, until I saw the picture from one of my parents. I was horrified and again felt totally humiliated at the sight of the woman in that picture, I was HUGE!
As summer vacation began, I continued on my same pattern of behavior. On June 12th, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror while I was eating and I was truly disgusted. I didn't like the woman who was looking back at me. I didn't like her on the inside or the outside. I had to do something. I threw away what I was eating, put on a pair of shoes, and did 35 minutes of exercising on my gazelle machine...or what had been my coat rack for years! Then I began to keep an exercise and food journal. I made a vow to myself that I was going to do something about the mess of a woman that I had let myself become. I was too embarrassed to ask anyone for help or even share that I had made the decision to change my life. On June 15th, I decided to stop having fast food, and to cut down on pop and alcohol.
At the end of June, I finally included my dad in this journey I had begun. I asked him to go walking with me. We walked 4 miles, very slowly at about 20 minute miles. I pulled out of his driveway to go home and I sobbed the entire way home! I was in so much pain! My legs, feet, and back ached, and there was blood all over my feet from the blisters! What had I let myself become? I promised myself that I would not give up...no matter how much pain was involved.
I kept that promise to myself! A few days later, I went walking with a friend and did 5 1/2 miles. I began using an app on my phone to track my miles and I started to set realistic, small, attainable goals. I kept walking, I kept using my journal, and I kept watching my foods.
On July 8th, a friend told me about MFP. I joined that day! I went home to weigh myself but the scale kept giving an error. What a moment for my scale to be broken! Unfortunately that was not the case. The scale was not broken, it just didn’t go that high! I will never forget yet another moment of humiliation as I sat on the edge of the tub and sobbed, 299 pounds! Again I asked, "What have I let myself become?" I dried the tears, accepted the fact that I had an unimaginable task ahead of me, and I kept going.
As the weeks went on, the weight began to come off. I started meeting little goals. At 20 pounds, I bought a new pair of shoes. At 40 pounds I would get a new dress. At 55 pounds, I was going to buy a new piece of jewelry. It was like a fairytale story, right? Wrong! I met my 20 pound goal and I was thrilled! I was getting close to my 40 pound goal and my dad issued a challenge. He offered to buy my dress for me if I met my goal by a certain date. For the fashion diva, this was incentive! Unfortunately, I doubted myself. I was close to my goal, but I wasn't sure I would make it. I didn't want to be embarrassed yet again by failing, so I stopped eating for two days and worked out for hours each day. BIG MISTAKE!!! I hated myself for what I had done to get that dress and I promised myself that I would never pull that stupid stunt again!
I got back on track and continued to see results. I had set backs along the way when I was faced with people who were not supportive of my attempt to save myself. They made me question my ability to meet any more goals, they downplayed my hard work, and wouldn't even let me share my excitement or fears. As much as it hurt me, I had to distance myself from those people. I surrounded myself with friends who pushed me to keep working hard and I relied on my MFP friends to keep me on track.
So now we are in April. How did I get here? I just kept walking and doing aerobics videos! When I started this journey, I was doing 20 minute miles, and today, I am doing 13-14minute miles. I have walked over 1,000 miles to date! At the beginning, I could barely do 15 minutes of aerobics, but today I can go for over an hour! I used to stand up in front of my students with a fake, but very convincing smile that hid my pain and shame; but today, I stand before them stronger, more confident and happier than I have ever been. I can finally be the role model that my students deserve!
Are there still days that I feel discouraged and frustrated? YES! Are there days that I want to give up? YES! Are there days that I let others criticize me? YES! How do I get through these hard times? I cry my eyes out and then turn to my friends and move on. No one can take this accomplishment from me!
On July 8th I faced an unimaginable goal. I stood alone at 299 pounds. Today, I have officially lost 100 pounds and have seen a drop of 16.1 points from my BMI! I am not finished as I still have 9 pounds to hit my first goal. I WILL meet that goal, and then I will continue to strive to lose an additional 30 pounds. I will succeed.
To those of you who think you cannot do this, look at me! If I can do it...anyone can do it! This is not a quick fix. It takes a lot of work and a lot of time. We are on a journey that is filled with hills and potholes, stumbles and falls, and lots of blood sweat and tears. This is the journey of a lifetime. When you feel like you cannot keep going, turn to your MFP friends! Feel free to add me, I will do anything to motivate you to keep going. My MFP friends have seen me at my lowest and picked me up, and they have celebrated with me at my times of success. We are in the battle of our lives, and we will conquer the enemy.
That fake smile that hid my secret shame has been replaced by a genuine smile of the pride of a truly happy woman! Thank you for sharing in my story and my journey. It has been a wild ride!
This is from May 2012 - 299 pounds, size 24 W
[img][/img]
This picture was taken yesterday morning at 100 pounds lost! Size 16!
[img][/img]
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Replies
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Wow what an amazing journey, I wasn't able to see your second pic, but I'm sure you look even more fabulous as u did in the first one. I'm only 2 months into my journey and still have 107 pounds to go, stories like yours are what help keep me motivated.. Thank you for sharing... God Bless on your journey..0
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I can't see your pic in the post, but I can see in your profile - you look amazing!! Congrats on your weight loss!!0
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I'm deeply touched by your story - Congratulations on the HUGE loss!0
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You look really great! I am trying to motivate myself to start losing weight. i am getting married in 2 years and I want to be down from 240 to 140 by then. Stories like this are inspiring.0
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You are an inspiration! Never give up! You look fantastic!0
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You look amazing! Keep up the great work!!!0
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Congrats on the transformation and thanks for the inspiration! You look fantastic! (I followed your link.)0
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You are an inspiration to others and give me hope that I can do the same thing. Congratulations and thanks for sharing your story.0
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Thank you so much for sharing your story. On a day like today when my goals seem so far away it was comforting read your journey and know it's worth it and the path won't be a perfect one. You look amazing!!0
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I don't know what is going on with the pictures.
I can see them in my post, but it seems like no one else can. They are the same as my profile picture. Any advice on how to get them to show up? 0 -
absolutely amazing story!! Your story is an inspiration to keep pushing and to remember it truly is a slow journey and will not happen overnight- but is possible with hard work and dedication!
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What an incredible achievement! You are looking lovely.0
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Congrats!! Thank so much for sharing, you look GREAT...0
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Congratulations! You look amazing and your story is very inspiring. I read on here everyday to find inspiring stories to keep me motivated. I have a lot of weight to loose and it helps when you know you are not alone. Good luck and keep up the hard work!0
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Thanks so much! Keep reading on her to stay inspired! My MFP friends have made this journey a little easier. This is a safe place to look for help, inspiration, and to share your victories...and there are no small victories!!!0
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Your story is very inspiring. I'm so happy for you and congrats on the weight loss!0
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Congratulations on a job very well done! You are an inspiration to me not to give up,
100 pounds lost is something to really be proud of. Great job!0 -
Your after image wasn't working properly for me . . . tried to fix it for you. I'll just manually visit your "after" photo URL!
Congrats on your success! I love your determination and your story
You look FABULOUS here:
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Congrats on the weight loss. Your journey is very inspiring n motivating.0
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Girl you are rocking it! And I love your attitude; there are days we all just take a break and cry...it's what we do after that that matters
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Jen, congratulations, you look so beautiful and you must be so proud of all your hard work. I havent been here long but thank you, your courage and determination has inspired me :flowerforyou:0
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Your after image wasn't working properly for me . . . tried to fix it for you. I'll just manually visit your "after" photo URL!
Congrats on your success! I love your determination and your story
You look FABULOUS here:
Thanks for fixing my picture!!!! And thank you for your kind words!0 -
Hi! I was mesmerized by every word of your story. Thanks for your courage in sharing those embarrassing moment. This encourages. me on so many levels. I just joined MFP one week ago. Thanks !0
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WOW!! You look amazing Jennifer!! Congrats and you deserve it!! Keep up the good work!:flowerforyou:This is from May 2012 - 299 pounds, size 24 W
[img][/img]
This picture was taken yesterday morning at 100 pounds lost! Size 16!0 -
My goodness! You look wonderful. Thank you for sharing your story with us.0
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opps!! Trying to get the before and afters lined up for you!:flowerforyou:0
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REPOST so you can see the awesome DIFFERENCE WHEN SIDE BY SIDE!! Keep up the good work my friend!! So very proud of you! All of your awesome runs and workout each day shows!! Whooohooo!! Thanks for sharing your story!!
This is from May 2012 - 299 pounds, size 24 W
[img][/img]
This picture was taken yesterday morning at 100 pounds lost! Size 16! 0 -
Fabulous progress so amazing!!!0
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Great Job. Keep up the good work.0
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Awesome job! You're an inspiration 0
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