When do we get to call it success?

lozenger1984
lozenger1984 Posts: 166 Member
in Success Stories
I've been watching this forum for years, hoping that one day I will get to post my success too.

Today I hit my target weight. I've lost >130lbs, I have a normal BMI (just) which is what I was aiming for.
I went from barely being able to jog for a minute to running a 10k.
Generally, I feel physically great now.

However, I don't feel the completion I thought I would. I think everything is still a work in progress. I still have so many goals. I probably still want to lose a tiny bit more. I was to increase my weightlifting and get the best tone I can. I am probably going to sign up for a half marathon next year. Then the challenge of learning maintenance (I've yo-yo'd massively, never maintained). I guess we're never really finished!

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I have learnt so much along the way:
1.My tastes have changed. After radically overhauling my diet the stuff I used to love now makes me queasy - it's just too rich.
2. I have to log at least most of the time. I'll start sneaking in extra calories without realising if I don't.
3. Food scales are essential. I was soooo off about portion sizes.
4. Learning about food helps. I did a certificate in nutrition which helped me plan.
5. I can't imagine doing it alone. I've had a dietician and a personal trainer help me a lot. This forum has been a huge help, it's part of my life now.
6. It changes friendships and relationships. I don't eat socially often anymore, people have very varied reactions to weight loss.
7. My emotions have been tough. It's slightly gone from pride in my weight loss to embarrassment about how overweight I was. I've had to try to learn to deal with anxiety without food as an emotional crutch (and am still learning). I'm having to try and adjust to my new body which bears the marks of having been so overweight. This is still a huge work in progress.
8. I love to run. I can't believe I've ended up loving it! It was horrible originally but no I am so in love with what my body can do, it's a really freeing feeling. I love goal setting and am amazed by what I can do with time and effort.
9. I'm trying to learn to be kinder to myself.

All the best on your journies!

Replies

  • NovusDies
    NovusDies Posts: 8,940 Member
    edited October 2019
    For me success is always a future state. I consider an accomplishment a win. Those can be current or in the past.

    When it comes to weight loss and fitness I fear contentment more than just about anything else. I don't believe I can afford to ever feel successful. I have lost too much weight and been through too much.

    I think this subforum is more about how others view it. Even I view things differently when it is not a personal definition. I consider you a success and your continued success may be partly contingent on you not feeling the same.

  • Machafin
    Machafin Posts: 2,988 Member
    You hit your goals, so I would call that sucessful. Now make some new goals so you can stay on track. Great job!
  • stonesg
    stonesg Posts: 3 Member
    When you realize you've made a successful lifestyle change.

    I remind people that, "I'm not ON a Diet, I've CHANGED my Diet.

  • kerrymatch1982
    kerrymatch1982 Posts: 19 Member
    Success is when you keep going ... ups and downs but you get back on track in my opinion ... well done on your huge weight loss and fitness
  • amyn73
    amyn73 Posts: 241 Member
    My counselor just gave me really great advice. This journey is never over. It's not a diet, or a weight loss plan...it's a life choice. We all have to decide within ourselves that "this" will never be over. The thoughts that have plagued us our whole lives have set us up for failure. Now we need to turn to healthier thoughts....less about diets and more about lifestyles. Hope this helps!
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    I think you're 100% a success.

    Also, I think it's interesting and kind of awesome that I have lost almost the same exact amount and on almost every one of your numbered items, I feel differently and/or did things very differently. Only #2, 4, and 9 can I relate to!

    Anyway, yes, hands down you are a success. Well done!
  • darklyndsea
    darklyndsea Posts: 56 Member
    This is what's called moving the goalposts, isn't it? When you achieve a goal, you have succeeded at that goal. Yes, there are more goals to come, but that doesn't negate your success. Back in school, when you finished first grade, you still had 11 more grades to go before graduating from high school, then college, a job, promotions... but that doesn't mean that you weren't a success at graduating from first grade. It's just one success after another!
  • snowflake954
    snowflake954 Posts: 8,399 Member
    Congrats OP! I agree that you have many more future successes ahead of you. That is not a bad thing-- to keep striving. Best of luck with your next goal.
  • mom23mangos
    mom23mangos Posts: 3,069 Member
    Wow, I definitely call that a success! Congratulations and I'm in awe of your running.
  • IAmTheGlue
    IAmTheGlue Posts: 701 Member
    Good job!

    But you are right, it's ongoing. At no point is someone going to lay a heavy hand on your shoulder and say " Good job! It's all over now!" because that's how you get to start over again.

    For me, success means doing better than I did before. So you can be a success story from day one, you just keep living that success and adding to it.
  • riffraff2112
    riffraff2112 Posts: 1,756 Member
    Well done. Welcome to maintenance....remember it doesn't mean you have to stay the same weight. I bounce around a lot too, focus on weight training and add some mass, then sometimes get serious about cardio and lose a but of weight. I don't think I am ever happy, as you mention it is a work in progress. Only advice would be to not lose that motivation and discipline so find new things to move toward. It does sound like you are doing this so I am sure you will succeed in maintenance.
    You look fantastic by the way if you don't mind me saying
  • SoHowLongIsThisGonnaTake
    SoHowLongIsThisGonnaTake Posts: 268 Member
    Can you tell me more about the varied responses to your weight loss from other people?
  • springlering62
    springlering62 Posts: 8,457 Member
    I totally get where you are coming from.

    Know the video game Katamari Damacy? Where you roll the snowball bigger and bigger til it absorbs cities and eventually planets? That’s weight loss for me.

    So much conflicting information, opinions from others, food decisions and planning, scheduling excercise (is it enough? Can I do more?) time invested in learning and researching, time wasted carefully looking in the mirror pondering , “Do I really look different?”

    Sometimes it just feels like it snowballs into a combination of drudgery and panic attack. Usually, though, it’s been simple but required resolve. The end result has been worth it.

    I don’t know how to measure when weight loss “success” has been reached. But I do know when if I feel I’ve gotten there, I’ll be hesitant to apply that name for fear of slacking off and reverting to who I once was.

  • brenn24179
    brenn24179 Posts: 2,144 Member
    yes you are very successful! Enjoy.
  • Diatonic12
    Diatonic12 Posts: 32,344 Member
    When do we get to call it success. We get to call you a success, today. You get to call it a success every single day. There is no such thing as the Finish Line. We can't ever go back to our old 'normal' way of eating without the same results. Your new way and our new way is the only way going forward...waaay into the future.
  • springlering62
    springlering62 Posts: 8,457 Member
    @Diatonic12 what a great dog picture!!!!!!

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