6 months, 20 lbs - slow and steady!

Flips37 · March 2015

Thanks so much everyone! I am so glad it has helped you all to see my slow and steady progress. Although the 20 lbs technically took 6 months to lose, I went easy over the holidays (just maintained) so it was probably more like 5 months of active weight loss.

My basic strategy has been to make healthier, sustainable choices. So I cut back on calories (my daily goal has been about 1450 before any exercise calories) and tried to up my protein and fiber intake a bit. I was very strict about logging for the first several months and I think this gave me the push I needed at the beginning. Now I will usually log breakfast, lunch, and snacks and use those numbers to help figure out what/how much to eat for dinner.

I've always wanted to be a runner and have dabbled very lightly in the past. I upped my running to about 3 times per week. I've worked my way up to 2 days of 3-4 mile runs during the week and then a "long run" of 5-6 miles on the weekend. I am working to increase this with the goal of a 10 mile race this spring. I've also added in some strength training (kettlebell and dumbbell work, primarily) at home.

Oh, and I started back in the fall with the 30 Day Shred. Like the food logging, I think having a strict exercise regimen at first gave me a jumpstart. I don't think I could maintain that schedule (same-ish workout everyday would get boring), so I started changing things up once I finished it. But seeing the results of the food logging and 30DS over the first month really helped keep me going when I was feeling frustrated. After that, I knew I could do it and it made the following months easier

Flips37 · March 2015

Oh, one more thing! I am hypothyroid and have been on daily synthroid for the past 7+ years (dosage has increased from 50 micrograms to 112 micrograms over that time). Per my endocrinologist, my thyroid is about as effective as "a piece of cardboard" at this point

It took me awhile to even start trying to lose weight because I felt so pessimistic with a metabolic condition working against me.

But, it can be done! I really think the slow and steady approach of lifestyle changes (not crazy workouts and dieting) was especially helpful. I didn't expect to drop 5 lbs a week, so I wasn't frustrated or upset when I didn't. I was happy about every 0.1 lb that came off because it was evidence that the thyroid condition did NOT mean I couldn't lose some weight.

MeiannaLee · March 2015

Already looking fantastic! Keep up the great job.

(*)

Ladybug1250 · March 2015

you look great!!

softblondechick · March 2015

Good job! I feel like a "failure" for having lost "only" ten pounds since Christmas. However, it may be slow, but I am not gaining weight, and have made some progress.

I am not expecting lasting change to occur overnight. I even had, gasp, tater tots yesterday! Sure, went out for dinner, had tater tots...once in three months. Used to eat them once a week!

fdfallie · March 2015

Thanks for posting! That's great progress. And I really needed to read/see that today because I feeling the same 'this is going really slowly - arrgggh' but slow is better than not at all and it's still progress