A year and a half ago by chance I found this website and read through success stories. I was stunned and could not believe real people achieved such weight loss. These people have helped me immensely by posting their journey. I said to myself if I ever get there, I will do the same for someone who is just starting. That's my reason for posting to give back encouragement that I received from so many of you over the past year and a half.
It was June 2012, I weighed myself and saw the dreaded 199 pounds. Not surprised, I have been overeating steadily and because I was so heavy I could barely walk. I preferred to stay sedentary in my room. I also saw a few photos of me and did not want to look twice, they were fat to be honest. The last straw that broke the camel's back was my size 16 was so tight on me that I would have to go to plus sizes if I didn't stop eating. I was desperate to lose weight. I kept postponing my weight loss journey because I LOVED to eat, eat lots. Eating made me very happy. Anyways, it was the end of June and I actually was sick and couldn't get rid of my cold, was on antibiotics.
On June 23, 2012 I said enough is enough. I prayed in Jesus' name, Lord please help me lose a few pounds. I honestly could not lose even one pound on my own in the previous year.
I began slowly. I said to myself just cut out sweets, fast food and don't eat after 6pm. That was all I knew then. Done. I began walking daily for 30 minutes. Two months later I discovered myfitnesspal. I was shocked at the number of calories for each food. I began counting and making very small slow changes. I changed to whole grains then.
I kept being consistent. Doing the right thing every day, staying within my calorie count and slowly began walking and running.
Six weeks later, I lost 1 pound. It was the happiest one lost pound in my journey. It was so hard to change my lifestyle and go from 199 to 198. I danced, I was doing something right!! I kept going and fighting each day, two weeks later I lost 8 pounds. That was when I realized that calorie deficit along with exercise (walking and running) worked. I was at 190 and so happy.
I kept going, I was consistent. I increased my runs from 30 min to an hour. I only ran twice a week, a short and a long run. I ate right.
Five months later I lost 50 pounds to 150. So encouraged, I kept going, doing the same thing each day. Eating energy filled foods: oats, eggs, whole grains, fish, grilled chicken, rice, pasta, Greek food, potatoes, lots of fruits and veggies. I drank tons of water.
On the hard days, I read success stories, over and over again. I prayed, Lord please help me curb my appetite and do the right thing. I overate on some days, I made mistakes often. But I kept going, the next day was always a new day to go back to the plan.
Then the question began, when do I stop? I thought 70 pounds to 129 would be a great number where I would feel strong and healthy and look good. I got to 135, 133, 132, 131 and today to 129. I cut portions last week, I cut out snacks. I began lifting dumbbells the last two months of my weight loss to harden my stomach muscles, this has been immensely helpful thanks to many of you ladies who posted lifting tips. The last 5 pounds were difficult to lose but so was the first pound. This was my finish line.
I feel amazing today, happy, strong, accomplished. My BMI went from overweight 32 to 20.8 healthy. My body fat from 44% to 22%. When I measured it today, the pharmacist exclaimed, I want that number for me!! I went from size 16 to 3. My confidence is great, I actually departed from my closed room and am so much more outgoing. I project "yes, I can" attitude and people respond with a 'yes.' I am a fast runner and even faster climber. I am preparing for a marathon and can run for several hours. I am beginning to maintain my weight.
I hope that my story will help anyone who is struggling today and unsure. You can do this!! Keep on being consistent, doing what you are doing every day and be patient it took me 1.5 years. Always, begin each day a new. Reward yourself lots!!
This was me before, my waist line was huge:
This is me getting my fat measured today:
I'm 5'6.
