One year later (proof MFP works!)....

Hello!

I don't usually post, but I thought that I would share my journey over this past year.

I joined MFP in Feb of 2009, although I did not actually start logging daily until June 1, 2009. My goal has been to lose 1 pound a week, to make the lifestyle change easier (and less likely to fall back into past habits) and to minimize the excess skin that comes after losing a large amount of weight.

After 1 year of daily logging and following MFP recommendations, I have lost 53 pounds... very close to the 52 pounds estimated by MFP. Although I am only about halfway through my journey, I thought that I would share my story and also some pictures.

Here is my "journal" that I have been updating every month on my profile:


6/2009: 230 pounds - size 24 - BMI 40.7
My darling husband buys Wii Fit, EA Sports Active and My Fitness Coach for the Wii in hopes to motivate me to lose weight... it works! I start seriously logging my meals on MFP and getting moderate exercise every day and lose about 5 pounds the first month (5% of excess weight lost)!

7/2009: 225 pounds - size 22/24 - BMI 39.9
Incorporating more exercise and better choices in diet! I even bought a new bike for some exercise. Lost 7 pounds this month (12% of excess weight lost)!

8/2009: 218 pounds - size 22 - BMI 38.6
Started month strong with 7 pounds lost in 2 weeks, but 3rd week saw a slight increase of 1.5 pounds. I decided to go back to what worked in the past- strictly logging on MFP (which had become lax) and daily exercise. 6 pounds lost this month (18% of excess weight lost)!

9/2009: 212 pounds - size 20/22 - BMI 37.6
I'm apparently getting back on track, as I've started to lose a bit more weight this month. It helps that my 3 eldest children are back in school all day; however, I also decided to go back to college, as well, which has been quite stressful! Lost 6 pounds this month (24% of excess weight lost)!

10/2009: 206 pounds - size 20 - BMI 36.5
I fell off the wagon... again. For the first 2 weeks of the month, I did not log my food, watch my calorie intake or exercise. Fortunately, I did not gain any weight, but I did not lose any weight either. About 10/20, I decided that I needed to get back on track. I started back on my diet and I hope to lose a little weight before November. On the good news front, I lost 10% of my June starting weight (23 pounds) during this month! I was also able to buy a new winter jacket at the Old Navy store. I no longer have to specialty order from their plus size section online!!!! Lost 2 pounds this month (26% of excess weight lost)!

11/2009: 204 pounds - size 18/20 - BMI 36.1
November is starting out great! The first week, I got down to 199.8. It's a great feeling to know that I have lost 30 lbs since June and am finally under 200 pounds. WooHoo! The gift of health - what a great Christmas present to myself and my family. Lost 5 pounds this month (31% of excess weight lost)!

12/2009: 199 pounds - size 18/20 - BMI 35.2
I think I hit a plateau, as I have been 199 pounds for 4 straight weeks. Having school finals, 3 kids birthday parties and Christmas all at once does not help a stress eater! No pounds lost this month (31% of excess weight lost)!

1/2010: 199 pounds - size 18/20 - BMI 35.2
After 2 weeks of lax calories counting over the holidays, the New Year has encouraged me to start logging the calories again and to buy a treadmill. Hopefully I can drop some more LBs while getting some schoolwork done during this next semester! Lost 7 pounds this month (38% of excess weight lost)!

2/2010: 192 pounds - size 18 - BMI 34.0
Ugh... I hate being stuck indoors and cannot wait for Spring! I like the treadmill, but look forward to going out and varying my routine. Lost 2 pounds this month (40% of excess weight lost)!

3/2010: 190 pounds - size 16/18 - BMI 33.7
In exciting news this month, I am now fitting comfortably into a size 16. The nice spring weather has inspired me to go out and walk almost every day this past week. SLOOOWLY getting there! Lost 5 pounds this month (45% of excess weight lost)!

4/2010: 185 pounds - size 16/18 - BMI 32.8
I started the "couch-to-5k" program this month. I really enjoy it! Unfortunately, I am also experiencing finals at college, causing some stress eating :-( . I am hoping to make it through the month without gaining and will then have four months before I have to open a textbook again!!!! Lost 3 pounds this month (48% of excess weight lost)!

5/2010: 182 pounds - size 16 - BMI 32.2
The spring semester is finally over! Now I can focus on the c25k training and exercise! I finally got to 180 pounds, which means that I have lost a whopping 50 pounds and am halfway to my goal!!! You have to love MFP... my goal was to lose a pound a week and in 50 weeks, I've lost 50 pounds! The process works! Lost 5 pounds this month (53% of excess weight lost)!

6/2010: 177 pounds - size 16 BMI 31.35
Now that I have reached the one year mark on my journey to health and happiness, I thought that I would reflect on the changes that have taken place. In one year, I have:

- lost 53 pounds
- went down 5 dress sizes
- lost 1.5" from my neck
- lost 3" from my waist
- lost 7.5" from my hips
- lost 3.5" from each bicep
- lost 3.75" from each thigh
- lost 3" from my chest :-(
- gained the ability to shop in regular stores (not just specialty plus size stores)
- gained confidence in myself and in the direction that my life is heading.


The reason that I am posting this is to prove that life happens and sometimes the scale goes down and sometimes it goes up... it is the journey that is most important! This change is for the long term and we it is OK to splurge on birthday cake or have a fancy night out with the spouse... we just cannot do it every day any more :-)


Here is a pic of my weight loss journey:

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab239/kilmers/Danielle.jpg

(for some reason, all 3 pics are not showing correctly when posting in here. If you copy and paste the link, you can see all 3!)


Thank you so much for reading my story...