What a difference a year makes - 48 lbs lost
DebBahr
Posts: 110 Member
A year ago today I decided to change my lifestyle. I looked around at older people I knew and so many of them were in such bad shape physically because of preventable health problems. After 18 years of being overweight/obese I decided that it was time to make a change. I was tired of the way I looked and the way I felt.
Here are my stats.
SW - 208 lbs (highest weight was 220)
CW - 160
GW - 155
Age - 50 years old
Height - 5' 9.5"
I joined the YMCA and I've been going 5 days a week. I get up at 5:15 am and workout for an 1 hour 45 minutes before I go to work. At first it was very hard. Now I actually enjoy working out. I don't just enjoy how it makes me feel and look but I like going to the gym. This is coming from someone who never played sports, never exercised much in my life.
I started logging all of my food on MFP. This was key for me. It kept me honest. I usually ate back about half of my exercise calories. I cut way back on unhealthy carbs and sugar. I also avoid artificial sweeteners. I do cook differently for myself than for my family. One of my boys is a runner and eats a lot of pasta. I rarely eat pasta so I'll just have the sauce with roasted veggies or something like a salad with grilled chicken. If I want a treat I have it but I'll have a scoop of ice cream once or twice a week not a bowlful 5 days a week. Portion size is very important. Also, I drink at least 10 glasses of water a day. I logged my food till I met my goal weight in June (took me 9 months and I've been maintaining for the last 3 months. I'm going to start logging again because I want to lose another 5 lbs.
I have tried many times to lose weight. I had limited temporary success. Here are the reasons I believe I was able to stick with it this time.
Here are my stats.
SW - 208 lbs (highest weight was 220)
CW - 160
GW - 155
Age - 50 years old
Height - 5' 9.5"
I joined the YMCA and I've been going 5 days a week. I get up at 5:15 am and workout for an 1 hour 45 minutes before I go to work. At first it was very hard. Now I actually enjoy working out. I don't just enjoy how it makes me feel and look but I like going to the gym. This is coming from someone who never played sports, never exercised much in my life.
I started logging all of my food on MFP. This was key for me. It kept me honest. I usually ate back about half of my exercise calories. I cut way back on unhealthy carbs and sugar. I also avoid artificial sweeteners. I do cook differently for myself than for my family. One of my boys is a runner and eats a lot of pasta. I rarely eat pasta so I'll just have the sauce with roasted veggies or something like a salad with grilled chicken. If I want a treat I have it but I'll have a scoop of ice cream once or twice a week not a bowlful 5 days a week. Portion size is very important. Also, I drink at least 10 glasses of water a day. I logged my food till I met my goal weight in June (took me 9 months and I've been maintaining for the last 3 months. I'm going to start logging again because I want to lose another 5 lbs.
I have tried many times to lose weight. I had limited temporary success. Here are the reasons I believe I was able to stick with it this time.
- Joined a gym - I realize not everyone can do this but for me it's changed my life
- Logged all of my food
- Told people I was trying to lose weight - I started posting on MFP and I told people in real life
- I finally decided I was worth it - you've got to believe in yourself
81
Replies
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Wonderful job!!!! Congratulations!1
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Great job keep up the good work1
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Fantastic work!!1
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Wow,nicely done!1
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Fabulous work and result!1
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Awesome!!1
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Wow! Congratulations!1
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Most excellent!1
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Inspiring!!! Thank you for sharing!!1
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Great job! Congratulations1
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Wowee!! What do you do at the gym for 1 hour and 45 minutes!? That is amazing and you look amazing!0
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Wowee!! What do you do at the gym for 1 hour and 45 minutes!? That is amazing and you look amazing!
Here is my basic routine.- 10 minutes cardio warm-up - usually elliptical
- 45 minutes minute strength/weight machines - I alternate days. One day I do legs and core. Next day I do arms and back. Typically I do 8-9 machines total.
- 30 minutes cardio - usually elliptical but a couple times a month I do treadmill
- 5 minutes cool down
- 10 minutes stretching
Keep in mind on the weight machines there is time moving between machines, adjusting machines, and resting. Ideally I would be able to move through those machines faster but with the amount of weight I'm trying to do I just can't at this point, maybe eventually. I see guys and younger women get through them much quicker.
And thank you0 -
you are doing great!2
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Very inspiring, and may I say you look hot! Great job!1
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What great success! Your work routine is impressive. Those last five pounds will be goners!!1
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Congrats on your success! Such an inspiration!
Keep it up!1
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