Nothing can stop you, except yourself.

Childfree1991 wrote: »

Have you ever thought to yourself "I can't do it. I try and try but all fails"? Yes you can do it. The only thing holding you back is your inner judgmental self. I was there. I was very overweight once (close to obese, at 187 pounds). I tried different things that I thought would help me lose weight but nothing was working. Also, I was blaming (without realizing it). "It's my depression. It's my birth control. It's my medications. It's my tubal. It's my metabolism. I'm too tired. I can't do anything right. Blah blah blah." Well one day when I took a close look in the mirror, felt sluggish and struggled to get my clothes on, I realized that there must be something I'm doing wrong. I decided to attempt to make a change, a real change (though with somewhat low motivation to start). In all honesty, I didn't have high hopes at first but after realizing all the excuses I was making, I felt that something had to be done. First I eliminated sodas which resulted in 5 pounds lost. I felt a bit better though wasn't sure if it was coincidental but I looked at myself again and decided to continue. Next, I eliminated juices and other sugary drinks along with a few desserts which resulted in 5 more pounds gone. I also decreased my portion sizes. After losing 10 pounds and recovering from surgery, I began exercising but switched from cardio to weight training. I also no longer drank my calories and instead water. I also decreased my dessert intake even more. After a few months, I had lost 20 pounds (from a size 11 to a size 8). I continued this healthy eating and intense exercise pattern by switching simple carbs (white rice/pasta/bread) to complex carbs (brown rice/whole wheat and beans), and eliminated almost every dessert except dark chocolate and on rare occasion cheesecake or pie. I increased my workouts and reps. I included ab exercises. After a year, I had lost 50 pounds and dropped to a size 3-5. I've been continuing this pattern except smaller more frequent portion sizes and 70 oz of water (or more) a day, more reps, included squats, healthy snacks, and high protein. It's been almost 2 years and I've lost 64 pounds, over 15% body fat and am now a size 0-2. Everyone has potential and the ability to do the same. The only thing that can stop you is yourself (the judgmental side). Don't let it. And most of all, don't let yourself make excuses. Depression didn't stop me (I actually meditate which is highly effective for stress and depression). Birth control didn't stop me (it made me feel hungrier but in the end it was up to me to resist a snack or not, and same goes for my prescription meds). My tubal didn't stop me (I was aching for a while but I didn't quit). My "tiredness" was a side effect of a medication but that's what hydration and high protein foods are for. I lost my first 10 pounds without any exercise anyways so even if/when feeling tired, weight loss is mostly based off of eating habits. Speaking of my surgery, it was a pacemaker. But I realized I couldn't use that as an excuse either and I didn't. The point I'm trying to make is, you can either keep trying until you finally reach your goal or you can blame and complain. The only one who stands in your way is yourself. This is my success story and I've learned that excuses are NOT an option.

Childfree1991 wrote: »

Have you ever thought to yourself "I can't do it. I try and try but all fails"? Yes you can do it. The only thing holding you back is your inner judgmental self. I was there. I was very overweight once (close to obese, at 187 pounds). I tried different things that I thought would help me lose weight but nothing was working. Also, I was blaming (without realizing it). "It's my depression. It's my birth control. It's my medications. It's my tubal. It's my metabolism. I'm too tired. I can't do anything right. Blah blah blah." Well one day when I took a close look in the mirror, felt sluggish and struggled to get my clothes on, I realized that there must be something I'm doing wrong. I decided to attempt to make a change, a real change (though with somewhat low motivation to start). In all honesty, I didn't have high hopes at first but after realizing all the excuses I was making, I felt that something had to be done. First I eliminated sodas which resulted in 5 pounds lost. I felt a bit better though wasn't sure if it was coincidental but I looked at myself again and decided to continue. Next, I eliminated juices and other sugary drinks along with a few desserts which resulted in 5 more pounds gone. I also decreased my portion sizes. After losing 10 pounds and recovering from surgery, I began exercising but switched from cardio to weight training. I also no longer drank my calories and instead water. I also decreased my dessert intake even more. After a few months, I had lost 20 pounds (from a size 11 to a size 8). I continued this healthy eating and intense exercise pattern by switching simple carbs (white rice/pasta/bread) to complex carbs (brown rice/whole wheat and beans), and eliminated almost every dessert except dark chocolate and on rare occasion cheesecake or pie. I increased my workouts and reps. I included ab exercises. After a year, I had lost 50 pounds and dropped to a size 3-5. I've been continuing this pattern except smaller more frequent portion sizes and 70 oz of water (or more) a day, more reps, included squats, healthy snacks, and high protein. It's been almost 2 years and I've lost 64 pounds, over 15% body fat and am now a size 0-2. Everyone has potential and the ability to do the same. The only thing that can stop you is yourself (the judgmental side). Don't let it. And most of all, don't let yourself make excuses. Depression didn't stop me (I actually meditate which is highly effective for stress and depression). Birth control didn't stop me (it made me feel hungrier but in the end it was up to me to resist a snack or not, and same goes for my prescription meds). My tubal didn't stop me (I was aching for a while but I didn't quit). My "tiredness" was a side effect of a medication but that's what hydration and high protein foods are for. I lost my first 10 pounds without any exercise anyways so even if/when feeling tired, weight loss is mostly based off of eating habits. Speaking of my surgery, it was a pacemaker. But I realized I couldn't use that as an excuse either and I didn't. The point I'm trying to make is, you can either keep trying until you finally reach your goal or you can blame and complain. The only one who stands in your way is yourself. This is my success story and I've learned that excuses are NOT an option.