Here it is, 1 year on MFP
Otterluv
Posts: 9,083 Member
I started out on MFP a year ago, with a significant amount of weight to lose. 15 years of crappy eating, a sedentary lifestyle, and an undiagnosed thyroid disorder had left me at 298 lbs (I’m 5’3” tall). Though I wasn’t unhappy in my life, I knew that I was missing out, and my weight bothered me both physically and emotionally. Once my thyroid was managed, it gave me the push and the energy level to try, yet again, to get myself under control. Though I was fortunate and hadn’t had any major health issues crop up, I knew that at 39 years old, it was only a matter of time. I did not want to leave my husband a widower, or be in the position of him having to care for me, which would be difficult for him to manage if I weighed any where near the 300 lbs that I did at that point.
It shocked me when the weight began to come off once I started tracking my food intake. A couple of weeks in, I started to add in exercise. My fitness level was pathetic, I could maybe walk a couple of blocks (agonizingly slowly) before getting winded. We bought me a recumbent stationary bike. With the resistance set at its lowest setting, I could go for about 5 minutes before I had to take a rest. Gradually, the time in between rests got shorter and my total time increased. Within a couple of months I added in the elliptical, and felt like I was going to keel over after a few minutes. But, I kept pushing. Throughout the summer I went on ever longer hikes, choosing ones with hills to climb. On a lark, I added in running and lifting. I’m not going to lie, running was tough. I did C25K, and wore my HRM just to assure myself that I was not, in fact, on the verge of death after 30 seconds of running.
In the past year, here is what I’ve accomplished: I have lost almost 70 lbs., I went from barely able to walk for more than 3 blocks to trail running for over an hour, I started out in October squatting my bodyweight to squatting 170 lbs and deadlifting 185 lbs. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it.
To those starting out, my advice to you is to take your time. Don't starve yourself, take a maintenance break now and then (I'm on one right now). Give yourself many areas in which to see success, strength train early. I can tell that when I get down to where I want to be (size wise), I am going to be thrilled with my body and with what it can do. I’ll be able to climb ropes, scale mountains, and run for miles. The adventures that I’m going to be able to go on will be amazing. Just watch me do it.
October 2011, close to 300lbs. Size 28-30
Today, May 11, 2013. Size 18
And dead lifting, just to brag about the big plates being on that bar.
Thank you to all of the badasses on my FL, you keep me coming back and show me what is possible with time and a whole lot of hard work.
It shocked me when the weight began to come off once I started tracking my food intake. A couple of weeks in, I started to add in exercise. My fitness level was pathetic, I could maybe walk a couple of blocks (agonizingly slowly) before getting winded. We bought me a recumbent stationary bike. With the resistance set at its lowest setting, I could go for about 5 minutes before I had to take a rest. Gradually, the time in between rests got shorter and my total time increased. Within a couple of months I added in the elliptical, and felt like I was going to keel over after a few minutes. But, I kept pushing. Throughout the summer I went on ever longer hikes, choosing ones with hills to climb. On a lark, I added in running and lifting. I’m not going to lie, running was tough. I did C25K, and wore my HRM just to assure myself that I was not, in fact, on the verge of death after 30 seconds of running.
In the past year, here is what I’ve accomplished: I have lost almost 70 lbs., I went from barely able to walk for more than 3 blocks to trail running for over an hour, I started out in October squatting my bodyweight to squatting 170 lbs and deadlifting 185 lbs. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it.
To those starting out, my advice to you is to take your time. Don't starve yourself, take a maintenance break now and then (I'm on one right now). Give yourself many areas in which to see success, strength train early. I can tell that when I get down to where I want to be (size wise), I am going to be thrilled with my body and with what it can do. I’ll be able to climb ropes, scale mountains, and run for miles. The adventures that I’m going to be able to go on will be amazing. Just watch me do it.
October 2011, close to 300lbs. Size 28-30
Today, May 11, 2013. Size 18
And dead lifting, just to brag about the big plates being on that bar.
Thank you to all of the badasses on my FL, you keep me coming back and show me what is possible with time and a whole lot of hard work.
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Replies
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You rock!!!! :drinker:
ETA: I'm first, I'm first! Do I get a prize?0 -
I started out on MFP a year ago, with a significant amount of weight to lose. 15 years of crappy eating, a sedentary lifestyle, and an undiagnosed thyroid disorder had left me at 298 lbs (I’m 5’3” tall). Though I wasn’t unhappy in my life, I knew that I was missing out, and my weight bothered me both physically and emotionally. Once my thyroid was managed, it gave me the push and the energy level to try, yet again, to get myself under control. Though I was fortunate and hadn’t had any major health issues crop up, I knew that at 39 years old, it was only a matter of time. I did not want to leave my husband a widower, or be in the position of him having to care for me, which would be difficult for him to manage if I weighed any where near the 300 lbs that I did at that point.
It shocked me when the weight began to come off once I started tracking my food intake. A couple of weeks in, I started to add in exercise. My fitness level was pathetic, I could maybe walk a couple of blocks (agonizingly slowly) before getting winded. We bought me a recumbent stationary bike. With the resistance set at its lowest setting, I could go for about 5 minutes before I had to take a rest. Gradually, the time in between rests got shorter and my total time increased. Within a couple of months I added in the elliptical, and felt like I was going to keel over after a few minutes. But, I kept pushing. Throughout the summer I went on ever longer hikes, choosing ones with hills to climb. On a lark, I added in running and lifting. I’m not going to lie, running was tough. I did C25K, and wore my HRM just to assure myself that I was not, in fact, on the verge of death after 30 seconds of running.
In the past year, here is what I’ve accomplished: I have lost almost 70 lbs., I went from barely able to walk for more than 3 blocks to trail running for over an hour, I started out in October squatting my bodyweight to squatting 170 lbs and deadlifting 185 lbs. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it.
To those starting out, my advice to you is to take your time. Don't starve yourself, take a maintenance break now and then (I'm on one right now). Give yourself many areas in which to see success, strength train early. I can tell that when I get down to where I want to be (size wise), I am going to be thrilled with my body and with what it can do. I’ll be able to climb ropes, scale mountains, and run for miles. The adventures that I’m going to be able to go on will be amazing. Just watch me do it.
October 2011, close to 300lbs. Size 28-30
Today, May 11, 2013. Size 18
And dead lifting, just to brag about the big plates being on that bar.
Thank you to all of the badasses on my FL, you keep me coming back and show me what is possible with time and a whole lot of hard work.
Those deadlifts alone make this one of the best success stories out there.0 -
You rock!!!! :drinker:
ETA: I'm first, I'm first! Do I get a prize?
Yep!! You get Will Smith doing the schmexy dance:
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Way to go!! :flowerforyou:0
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So inspirational! Thanks for sharing!0
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So, SO PROUD OF YOU, my friend! All those accomplishments in just a year - imagine what the next year will bring!!0
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Fantastic!!0
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In...
...because awesome.
:flowerforyou:0 -
Holy crap woman! I wanna lift like you! And trail running! You are do awesome! I doubt I could even run a mile! You are a definite inspiration!0
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Yeah!!!0
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Your whole post is awesome but this is my favorite part.I’ll be able to climb ropes, scale mountains, and run for miles. The adventures that I’m going to be able to go on will be amazing. Just watch me do it.
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Love it all, especially this part!And dead lifting, just to brag about the big plates being on that bar.
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Great work, keep it up!0 -
Awesome!0
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AWESOME Job!
I wish you nothing but continued success. You ROCK!0 -
You've done good girl!!! I know you will do even gooder : )0
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Awesome!0
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Amazing journey, may you continue on, wishing you nothing but health and happiness! :drinker: :flowerforyou:0
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Wow!! Wow!!!! Wow!!!!!
I loved reading this. I feel a lot of parallels in your story with mine, so I identified a lot, and I felt inspired. Thank you for that. (Except for that running stuff, I think I will just admire your accomplishments without trying to follow in your footsteps :laugh:) What a great year you have had -- and I am wishing you many many more, each one better than the last!
Elaine0 -
Amazing, inspiring dedication and results! So awesome!
And excellent, practical advice for those who want to achieve results like this.
Here's to adventures of all sorts!0 -
You are doing SO amazing! Happy anniversary and continued success!!!0
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Congratulations! You have done an amazing job -- so inspirational!0
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Amazing! Congrats, you are doing great job!0
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Well done, keep on the good work
X0 -
You are amazing. I do believe I want to be your friend.0
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Your whole post is awesome but this is my favorite part.I’ll be able to climb ropes, scale mountains, and run for miles. The adventures that I’m going to be able to go on will be amazing. Just watch me do it.
I LOVE me some adventures! The muddier the better
:flowerforyou: I've been eyeing your kayak picture on your ticker forever, it's on my list of fun things to try (now that my butt will fit in one). This summer is going to be filled with backpacking, canoeing, and white water rafting. Next summer I'm backpacking the Grand Canyon.
Thank you all so much for the kind words. I like to pretend like I'm all tough, but they really do mean a lot :drinker: :flowerforyou:0 -
Your whole post is awesome but this is my favorite part.I’ll be able to climb ropes, scale mountains, and run for miles. The adventures that I’m going to be able to go on will be amazing. Just watch me do it.
Me too.
So much win!0 -
You are just AWESOME :flowerforyou:0
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You are incredible!!! Such an amazing life change 0
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Excellent work dear! So awesome to see your deadlift pic!0
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That is so inspiring! Keep up the great work. Fabulous dedication! I applaud you !0
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