Hello!
My name is Ana.
My highest weight was 175 lbs (I'm 5'2") 6 years ago. I joined MFP a few years back because I was not able to loose the weight on my own.
I have not been skinny since I was 7 years old so I don't have great expectations... Anyway... By being aware of what I ate I was able to achieve a healthier weight (132 lbs) and I kept the weight off for years.
Unfortunately, Corona times have been tough on me (in many ways) and even though I noticed my pants were getting tight at the start of May, I chose to not pay attention telling myself: "It must be water retention, I mean... My pants fit loose at the start of April!" In June, I'd make excuses, like... "It's been hard times, it's okay, you deserve it!"
Long story short, I lived in denial for a while but on June 16th on a visit to the doctor I was forced to face reality. I was so disappointed when I learned that I weighed 155 lb! Still then I said to myself: "Its probably not that bad! I had a big dinner and I'm constipated so it's probably not that bad."
But no, my friends. I can't blame my intestines or big meals no more. I am back to the MFP community to work on accountability.
Honestly, I am so disappointed in myself. So discouraged to know that it's going to take many months for me to lose all the weight that I gained in just 2 months, because...
Here's the deal. I can't just starve myself a few months and loose the weight. Honestly, even though I know it's not healthy, I'd probably give it a try. However, do you know what happens to me after 7 days of a very restrictive diet? Yes. You guessed right. The BIG BINGE. Followed by guilt, weight gain and loss of motivation. So, I'm not going to set myself up for failure. The plan is to go slow and steady, even if it takes me a year.
My main motivation is to be healthy and not huff and puff every time I go up hill. Another very important motivator for me is to get back to a healthy weight before my 40th birthday!
My ultimate goal is to weigh 121 lbs and be very healthy.
Looking forward to meeting others struggling with trying to achieve a weight goal while adulting.
PS. Sorry for the long post. I just had to get it out of my chest.

Yes! I actually felt better last night after I wrote it down.
I am finding that planning my meals at least one day ahead helps me achieve my calorie intake goal and that in turn keeps me motivated (especially if I plan on having yummy food).

Would you mind sharing about your goals?

PS. How come I see people reporting to loose 1lb a day and I've only lost half a pound in 10 days? I've been good, I promise! I catched my inner dialogue assuring me that it must be that I gained muscle from the exercise. Ugh!! The struggle!! 🤣

Hi Tara!
I'm so excited for your achievements so far. I am also glad you have your husband's support, even if he is away.
I understand what you mean with being home by yourself. I am a widow and my daughter is off to college so I've noticed that after work I just want to lie down and the weekends I just want to rest so I have to push myself to exercise in the morning, which means getting up early.
Definitely, being home alone plus corona are not a good combination 😅
I've been thinking that I should join an art class or a group or something to get me out of my cave. We'll see...
PS. So, you are one of them people who can loose a pound a day, huh? A little jealous here!