I lost 50 lbs in 12 months - here's my story

JenCpijanac
JenCpijanac Posts: 12 Member
edited December 3 in Success Stories
Hello everyone, I hope you're doing OK. This is my first post here and I thought it would be appropriate to share my story with you, for a start. I'm happy I came across this community because it's always great to meet like-minded people or, to be precise, people who are battling the same issues you're battling yourself.


For a start, here's a little about me. I'm from The Land Down Under (Australia) and I've had issues with excessive weight since my late teens.

I know, most of you must be thinking "Well, at least you're fortunate enough to know what it's like not to be FAT". I disagree. Actually knowing that I used to be "normal" for most of my life is what made me even more depressed.

I was a normal, happy child. In high school, I was considered "popular" (such a disgusting term, I know). I was into sports, primarily volleyball and a great student. I lead a normal, happy life and thought nothing would ever change.

Fast forward a few years - I'm 60 lbs heavier. Seriously. 60. How the hell did that happen?

When I look back at it now, I was setting an elaborate trap for myself and it's no wonder I got so fat. Stress, combined with lack of exercise (I went from playing sports each day for a few hours and generally leading a pretty active lifestyle, to barely moving at all: home-car-uni-job-car-home lol) and comfort eating (ended a 3 year old relationship with my high school sweetheart) is a recipe for disaster.


I hit the rock bottom when I tried to kill myself. Yes, it got so bad that I actually considered the possibility of ending my life. Honestly though, If I really wanted to go through with it, I would. It was probably just a cry for help but there was no one there to hear me crying. I was all alone, devastated and, to put it bluntly, fat as a whale.

It's been 12 months since that day and I'm 50 lbs lighter.

Things fell into place when I read this: "Look in the mirror. You are now looking at the person responsible for your happiness." It wasn't the stress, it wasn't the food, it wasn't my relationship ending - it was me. It was all my fault. I was weak and I needed to find a way to be strong again. I needed to find a way to become the person I've always wanted to be and the person I used to be.



I changed my diet, started taking weight loss supplements and started exercising fanatically on a daily basis.


Here's what it all comes down to, in my opinion:

Eat breakfast as often as possible - This has been such a crucial factor in my weight loss because it kept me from being hungry and tired later in the day.

Try to do some kind of exercise every day - I started by walking during my lunch break for an hour, and that really helped me get the ball rolling on being active later in the day. It just became a habit that I liked to keep up.

Be patient with your weight loss - I would have weeks where I wouldn't eat as well as I could have and sometimes would gain a little bit of weight—but I knew that I could get back on track. That helped me not give up hope and stick with my new lifestyle.



If my post motivates at least one person here, I'll be happy. Whatever it is that you're going through, there is always a way out. Never give up. You can turn your life around, just like I did and just like thousands of people did.

Good luck!

Replies

  • jewels1nc
    jewels1nc Posts: 38 Member
    Thank you for having the courage to post this.
  • JenCpijanac
    JenCpijanac Posts: 12 Member
    Thank you for having the courage to post this.

    Thank You for reading!

    I'd love to hear more feedback guys and if you need any help, advice or just someone to talk to, feel free to write here. I'll give my best to help, thats the least I can do.
  • cmtristani
    cmtristani Posts: 117 Member
    First off welcome! Glad you have found your motivation and passion for taking care of yourself. This is a great place to be, you will find lots of people that are positive and driven to succeed in their goals, just like you. WHat have you used to measure your progress? Some people do it by just a scale, others with pictures once a month, or measurements. Others use combinations of things.
  • pamuyamakene
    pamuyamakene Posts: 75 Member

    Thank you for sharing your journey, your words really resonated within me.
    As you say we are responsible for our own happiness.I must remember that daily!
  • SuesNewImage
    SuesNewImage Posts: 743 Member
    Great story. Well done 50lb in 12 months is so so good. Hello from a fellow Aussie.
  • BaconSan2
    BaconSan2 Posts: 260 Member
    Thank you for sharing your story. Wishing you a wonderful future - from me up in Canada
  • JenCpijanac
    JenCpijanac Posts: 12 Member
    Thank you everyone, from the bottom of my heart! Always a pleasure to get feedback like this. I promise you, things can and will get better.


    http://www.webmd.com/diet/ – lots of great info here

    http://healthlynewsreports.com/diet/?u=4cff1 – free trial bottle of an amazing weight loss supplement that helped me a lot. You might want to give it a shot too.

    http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/ – amazing workout plans and lots of great info and advice


    If you need someone to talk to, tips, advice or anything else, I'm here :)
  • JenCpijanac
    JenCpijanac Posts: 12 Member
    cmtristani wrote: »
    First off welcome! Glad you have found your motivation and passion for taking care of yourself. This is a great place to be, you will find lots of people that are positive and driven to succeed in their goals, just like you. WHat have you used to measure your progress? Some people do it by just a scale, others with pictures once a month, or measurements. Others use combinations of things.

    I might upload some before and after pics soon :)
  • NancyYale
    NancyYale Posts: 171 Member
    Good stuff here
    Thanks!
  • JenCpijanac
    JenCpijanac Posts: 12 Member
    NancyYale wrote: »
    Good stuff here
    Thanks!

    Thank You Nancy!
  • smkondy
    smkondy Posts: 583 Member
    What an inspiration you are!! Job well done!! Appreciate you sharing your story & your advice :)
  • JenCpijanac
    JenCpijanac Posts: 12 Member
    smkondy wrote: »
    What an inspiration you are!! Job well done!! Appreciate you sharing your story & your advice :)

    Thanks so much!
  • Whitbygramgirl
    Whitbygramgirl Posts: 75 Member
    Wonderful job! - it is one of the most difficult things to do - other than quitting smoking. Which I did 8 years ago - I'm a work in progress and I too, need to lose at least 40 lbs. Good advice all 'round. Take care
  • JenCpijanac
    JenCpijanac Posts: 12 Member
    Wonderful job! - it is one of the most difficult things to do - other than quitting smoking. Which I did 8 years ago - I'm a work in progress and I too, need to lose at least 40 lbs. Good advice all 'round. Take care


    Thank you:)
  • LillysMomma09
    LillysMomma09 Posts: 272 Member
    I like to read the real stories. 50 pounds in 12 months. That to me is a realistic, still having a life kinda weight loss.

    I read these stores of people losing 100 pounds in 7 month or something crazy. And I can't help but think, wow! Do you have kids? Do you work a full time job? How else do you find time to devote so many hours to workout out at the gym to lose 100 pounds in such a little amount of time?
    Losing weight has to fit in to someones life, it can't be their whole life...in my opinion.
    You said you would go a few weeks without eating well.. I think that is life, that's my life! So thank you for sharing a real life weight loss journey that I can relate to.
    Cheers to you my dear, congratulations on a job well done!!
  • JenCpijanac
    JenCpijanac Posts: 12 Member
    I like to read the real stories. 50 pounds in 12 months. That to me is a realistic, still having a life kinda weight loss.

    I read these stores of people losing 100 pounds in 7 month or something crazy. And I can't help but think, wow! Do you have kids? Do you work a full time job? How else do you find time to devote so many hours to workout out at the gym to lose 100 pounds in such a little amount of time?
    Losing weight has to fit in to someones life, it can't be their whole life...in my opinion.
    You said you would go a few weeks without eating well.. I think that is life, that's my life! So thank you for sharing a real life weight loss journey that I can relate to.
    Cheers to you my dear, congratulations on a job well done!!

    100 pounds in 7 months? People like to exaggerate I guess. Losing weight and staying fit should be an integral part of everyone's life, in my opinion.

    50 lbs in 12 months is hard, but not impossible. My story proves this. But even if you lose only 10 pounds a year, it is still worth it.

    Thanks for your feedback and kind words by the way!
  • JenCpijanac
    JenCpijanac Posts: 12 Member
    Hello everyone!


    Long time no see:)


    Thanks for reading, I hope you're all doing OK :)
  • goalpeace
    goalpeace Posts: 272 Member
    Hey!! Came across your post and it is very inspiring. Thank you! You have a great sense of humor :smiley:
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