40 pound down (includes pics)

ThreeLittleBalloons · February 2017

Hi all,

I know I am far off most of the people on here, and I certainly have a long way to go, but I just want to share my progress for anyone who is considering starting here but isn't sure.

At the end of September 2016 I looked at myself in the mirror and thought "No, this is ridiculous now, I have to do something about this" as my own bloated face peered back at me sadly. My confidence was shot, I felt awful and I was starting to worry about the health implications of carrying so much extra weight around. I have a young child and it is important to her that I am fit and well.

After reading about MFP on a forum, I decided to sign up and give it a go. I'd never considered calorie counting before as I was pretty sure I wouldn't stick at it. Turns out I was wrong and MFP is the best thing that could have happened to me. With calorie counting and a basic exercise regime of walking 5 miles 3-4 times a week (plus chasing after a toddler) I have gone from 212 pounds to 172 pounds (at 5 ft 7).

I would urge anyone thinking about this to really knuckle down and try MFP out; think how pleased future you will be that you have started today.

naomillion · February 2017

Wow, you look fabulous! Awesome progress, congrats!

krwjohnson · February 2017

This is AWESOME!!! Way to go!

jkjcampbell1 · February 2017

Wow!! You look great. Thanks for sharing; we got this!!

lynder64 · February 2017

Awesome!!! Wonderful that you're looking after yourself and setting a good example for your little one along the way :-)

risberg96 · February 2017

This is amazing!! Way to go! I was also around 200 a year ago and have lost about the same- still some to go! Add me so we can encourage one another! Thanks for sharing

gemstoneisland · February 2017

And walking is all the proper exercise you do?! You look fabulous! Keep it up

Grammytryingtogetfit · February 2017

Great Job!!

ThreeLittleBalloons · February 2017

Thank you all

Missycvt · February 2017

Hi, you look great and 5 miles a day sounds like a lovely walk. A few questions: How fast do you walk? I have a treadmill and I'm curious if you measure your speed? Also, do you eat certain foods that have helped you lose weight? I'm just starting again and it's been tough for me. I feel like when I eat 1200 calories a day I'm still hungry or my blood sugar is low and I get discouraged.

SleepingSwan · February 2017

You look great! The last sentence is so true!! Well done. X x

ThreeLittleBalloons · February 2017

Missycvt wrote: »

Hi, you look great and 5 miles a day sounds like a lovely walk. A few questions: How fast do you walk? I have a treadmill and I'm curious if you measure your speed? Also, do you eat certain foods that have helped you lose weight? I'm just starting again and it's been tough for me. I feel like when I eat 1200 calories a day I'm still hungry or my blood sugar is low and I get discouraged.

Hi Missycvt,

I walk at a pace of 3.5 mph to 4mph and often have my pram with me for these walks. I go outside and make it so I have goal locations (supermarket, coffee shop, etc). I don't know how much help the walking is towards my weightloss but it certainly lifts my mood and confidence.

I've cut back out on drinking and try and eat breakfast as late as possible (10 most days) as this helps me keep my lunch time eating under control. I spend most of my calories on my evening meal so I can eat with the family so aim for a max of 600 between the breakfast and lunch.

I find eggs are great for a filling breakfast but if the calories work out I'll eat anything.

I try not to think of anything as forbidden but rather as my calories as things to spend and whether it's worth spending most of my calories on one none filling high calorie item.

I felt like you felt at the beginning but it does not take long to adjust.

Don't worry, you'll do great. Add lots of friends on here and hang out in the success forum and it'll help.

birdtobe · February 2017

Nice work!!

Rhody_Hoosier · February 2017

Excellent work! Your efforts are certainly worth sharing and letting others see that it can be done!

Really nice job!

bmieres31 · February 2017

You look amazing! Great work, keep it up!!!!

christymedarismcfarland · February 2017

Missycvt wrote: »

Hi, you look great and 5 miles a day sounds like a lovely walk. A few questions: How fast do you walk? I have a treadmill and I'm curious if you measure your speed? Also, do you eat certain foods that have helped you lose weight? I'm just starting again and it's been tough for me. I feel like when I eat 1200 calories a day I'm still hungry or my blood sugar is low and I get discouraged.

I saw your post about the 1200 calories and feeling hungry or feeling blood sugar drop. I'm on a 1200 a day. I try to make sure that I have protein with every meal/snack. I have breakfast, lunch and dinner and three small snacks a day. This really helps me not to crash. Try a half of a healthy protein bar, or small thing of cottage cheese and a few grapes, string cheese and a couple whole wheat crackers, a fortified smoothie (watching sugars of course), etc. This also helps rev up your metabolism - at least it does mine! Every time I feel hungry I check my watch and realize it's time for a snack!

RandiNoelle · February 2017

Thank you for posting this! I'm also 5'7" and 5 lbs away from 172 lbs. I always have a hard time seeing how small I've actually become (down from an all time high of 280 lbs) and how far I've become so your post puts things into perspective. You look fantastic!

Tarak15 · February 2017

What great motivation you are to all of us! Thank you for sharing!

ThreeLittleBalloons · February 2017

Awww thank you!!

Livvy · February 2017

Awesome! You look great!

lorepres · February 2017

Wow!! You look beautiful!

Rangerharms · February 2017

You are so pretty!! And this is so inspiring to me. I just started this app (again) a week ago. I have 100 lbs to lose and just lost my first 4.8 lbs this week. It's such a huge goal, that I find myself looking at how much I have to lose and wonder if it's even do-able...seeing posts like this help so much and I just hope I can stick with it without feeling frustrated as I have in the past. Thanks for this!

gianna42 · February 2017

You look great - nice work! It sounds like you've really figured out what works for you with the calories (saving for later) and finding that exercise is making you feel better. Keep up the great work!

ThreeLittleBalloons · February 2017

Rangerharms wrote: »

You are so pretty!! And this is so inspiring to me. I just started this app (again) a week ago. I have 100 lbs to lose and just lost my first 4.8 lbs this week. It's such a huge goal, that I find myself looking at how much I have to lose and wonder if it's even do-able...seeing posts like this help so much and I just hope I can stick with it without feeling frustrated as I have in the past. Thanks for this!

Aww thank you. 4.8 in the first week is brilliant. Well done.

I don't know if you have seen it, but there is a thread on here about mini goals. It really helped me not get overwhelmed by the task ahead. E.g. My next "mini goal" is to lose the next 4 pound to put me at the same weight at my partner. Then you are constantly celebrating your progress rather than staring to the top of the mountain.

If I can do this then anyone can

ThreeLittleBalloons · February 2017

Thanks everyone

Rangerharms · February 2017

ThreeLittleBalloons wrote: »

Rangerharms wrote: »

You are so pretty!! And this is so inspiring to me. I just started this app (again) a week ago. I have 100 lbs to lose and just lost my first 4.8 lbs this week. It's such a huge goal, that I find myself looking at how much I have to lose and wonder if it's even do-able...seeing posts like this help so much and I just hope I can stick with it without feeling frustrated as I have in the past. Thanks for this!

Aww thank you. 4.8 in the first week is brilliant. Well done.

I don't know if you have seen it, but there is a thread on here about mini goals. It really helped me not get overwhelmed by the task ahead. E.g. My next "mini goal" is to lose the next 4 pound to put me at the same weight at my partner. Then you are constantly celebrating your progress rather than staring to the top of the mountain.

If I can do this then anyone can