Learning Balance After Weight Loss (Pics)

Hello MFP!

Every year I like to reflect on my progress with various goals I have set for myself. This year I am reflecting on my maintenance since losing weight a couple of years ago. I went from weighing around 200 lbs to 145 lbs at my lowest. Maintenance has been an interesting challenge throughout my journey, and my goal for this2016 is to continue to challenge myself with my fitness goals and achieve peace with my body.

During the beginning of my weight loss journey I was really excited about losing weight to the point where I didn't want to stop. I kept on wanting to lose more and more even though it made me miserable in the process. At my lowest I was only eating around 1200 calories a day and working out for around a hour.

Me at my heaviest during 2012:





Me at my lowest during summer 2014:



I was always hungry, felt tired, and was grumpy. I wasn't eating enough and I was simply worn down. My hair was thinning and damaged, my period ceased for six months, and I loss muscle mass that I previous worked on.

Obviously, this was not a sustainable way of living. During 2015 I began balancing my life more by eating more based on hunger cues and my activity level for the day. I took a break from counting calories and began to balance my life more. During this time I regained 15 lbs, but I feel better at 160 compared to 145.

Me during the beginning of January 2016:



This is me at 160. It's a 15 lb difference, but I feel a lot better. I regained muscle mass I loss, my hair became healthier, and my mood has improved. I still exercise and I still eat healthy, but I now do it in a more sustainable way.

Sometimes we get so caught up in the number on the scale. we neglect the damage we do to ourselves in the process. Always work hard to achieve your goals, but don't go overboard into the extreme! Everyone's body is different, and you have to be in tune to what work well for you.