YES!! Fist pump! I. DID. IT!
25.8 pounds are in the bag! Gone. Bye-Bye. Never. Coming. Back.
So, how does it feel? It’s awesome. 9 weeks ago I started on this journey, and never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be succeeding at this pace. It’s become a way of life, a habit, an automatic process to make healthy choices and control portion sizes, it’s routine and not in the forefront of my mind. While amazing to learn that I can do things I never thought possible, (maybe you CAN teach an old dog new tricks) conquering demons I’ve been ignoring most of my life, I’m a little scared too.
What if I can’t keep it up? How will I continue this for 5 more rounds of 25 lbs? Will I lose interest or motivation? How long is this going to take?
This is why I try not to focus only on the finish line. When I do, I get scared. My brain gets filled with all these questions and more. I put my stake in the ground for 150 pounds. I’m staying on that train. My motto is slow and steady wins the race. The next goal is 30 lbs. and losing 10% of my body weight. That 10% number is so close to 30 lbs. that they are really one and the same in my mind.
How am I going to drop the next five? First of all, it will be one day at a time. Secondly, I am going to focus on more balanced meals. It’s not only about staying within my points, but also about making good choices. The more balanced my meals are the better I feel. Lastly, I will continue writing about my journey. It keeps me accountable to another audience, and lets me get thoughts out of my head so I can stay the course.
While I’m clearly having success, I know there are still areas where I can improve. I’m not perfect. If I was, I never would have ended up here in the first place!
Do you set little goals or reach for the moon from the start?
February 8, 2016 at 1:39 am
Woohoo, awesome news from awesome you! So inspirational!
February 8, 2016 at 2:23 am
Amazing! You are 1/6 of your way there. That’s amazing and look how far you’ve come. That’s very inspiring.
Getting to 10% is huge. I was sooo close to that, and then I gained a few pounds back. In going to get here and keep on going.
We got this!
February 8, 2016 at 11:30 am
Go girl!! Well done for getting so far, so fast – that’s a really powerful way to start, and bodes well for those other 5 x 25lb rounds. It does get harder as your body gets used to its lower intake, but keep with the programme, and you’ll see that continuous downward movement continue. I don’t even know you – but I’m so happy for you! The thrill of conquering this demon is massive, isn’t it?
February 8, 2016 at 5:39 pm
Julie, You are so right! I just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other! I so want to be down 50 pounds! The halfway goal will be fabulous, but seriously, that’s 75 pounds! That is A LOT of weight. And that’s only the half of it! the 5×25 thing came to me while I was writing this post. That might be a good way for me to look at it! How do you keep focused? If I remember correctly you’ve lost more than 70 lbs, right? Maybe if you tie a rope around my waist and pull me along after you, we’ll both get to the finish line! Thanks for your kind words!
February 8, 2016 at 6:46 pm
No… I’m at 43 pounds lost now – and that 50 pounds mark is in my sights. Really significant for me, as I’ve never lost more than 49 pounds before! My long goal is 123 pounds – maybe even a little more, so I’m just one-third of the way.
What motivates me is how very important it is, now more than ever, for me to get healthy. I’ve been seriously overweight for years, but now, at 55 years old, I know I must look after myself better if I’m to continue to avoid all those ‘diseases of middle age’.
On a more positive note, my immediate motivation is getting back into so many clothes I had abandoned years ago. I’ve dropped 3 dress sizes, and I spent the weekend fitting back into – and then having to wash! – piles of clothes I’ve had squashed into an old suitcase at the back of a cupboard! That’s a wonderful interim reward on the road to that bigger goal.
Encouragement too. Encouragement and the support of friends – close friends, and the blogosphere – it all urges us onward.
February 8, 2016 at 6:55 pm
Julie, that’s awesome. I didn’t realize quite how close we are in the journey of pounds lost and pounds to lose! About 2 years ago, I got rid of all the clothes I thought I’d never wear again. I suspect my clothes were too tight before because now some fit really well and some are starting to hang and sag! How I wish I had my old stash now! I’m sure you enjoyed re-discovering your closet. Hope you are getting rid of the too big clothes so you don’t have them to fall back on! The most weight I’ve ever lost is 36 pounds my senior year of college. We won’t discuss how long ago that was!
February 8, 2016 at 7:24 pm
I’ve got rid of a few, but I’m keeping most, just for now. I cann’t bear the idea of having to buy ‘big clothes’ ever again. Maybe in a year or so I’ll dump them. For now, they are my reminder of a size I never want to be again.
February 8, 2016 at 7:38 pm
I want to take a picture where I’m standing in one leg of the “old” pants!
February 8, 2016 at 8:41 pm
You gotta hold on to those pants then!
February 8, 2016 at 8:47 pm
Just one pair!
February 8, 2016 at 5:17 pm
You’re amazing, dear Robin!! Keep up the good work…I just had a little relapse at our early Valentine’s Party yesterday, but realized this morning that I couldn’t gain back every ounce in one 2 hour party!!! So today, I will be back on ‘routine’….RIGHT? Of course, right! …and I’ll do a bit on my stationary bike, too : ) Yes, I shoot for the moon, but make sure I know the steps up the ladder as well. Love ya, Auntie Bonnie >
February 8, 2016 at 5:44 pm
Such good insight Auntie Bonnie! You are so right about the steps up and down the ladder. If we skip one, we could fall much farther, than one afternoon relapse. I just found out that tomorrow we’re having a lunch party after the Executive Creative Directors critique the Super Bowl ads. It’s going to be pizza and wings! Good Lord! I love pizza and wings, but it’s not worth it for me. I’m going to bring my own lunch, like I do everyday! But, there was a time where I wasn’t confident enough or committed enough to do that. I would have preferred to eat with the crowd.
Talk soon!
Love,
Robin
February 8, 2016 at 6:11 pm
LOVE this post!! congrats – so exciting!!!
February 8, 2016 at 6:16 pm
Thanks so much! I LOVE this one too!
February 8, 2016 at 6:42 pm
I’m so very happy for you Robin. All journeys are based on one day at a time, it works well and you’re proving that everyday. Keep up the good work and continue to take your lunch to work. Love reading about your progress.
February 8, 2016 at 6:51 pm
It’s so much fun hearing from you and having your support! Here’s a non-related funny! My oldest daughter is now 14 and a freshman in high school. I was 14 when Craig and I started hanging out. He used to ride his bike to my house and we’d sit on the patio and talk because he wasn’t allowed in the house when my parents weren’t home!
April 7, 2017 at 2:06 pm
I think it is awesome that you set a big goal! I wish you all the luck in the world!
FYI Sue in the BSL<3 group has a fitness group on FB, mostly encouragement it might be fun for you to join too 🙂
April 7, 2017 at 3:27 pm
Thanks for your kind words Christina. The day I walked into Weight Watchers (this time) I was ready to state my goal weight and they wouldn’t let me! After a couple weeks I convinced them! I’d love to join Sue’s fitness group — except do I have to exercise to be a part of it? Spoiler alert: I’ve lost all this weight and I don’t exercise, except maybe to go for a short walk or wander up and down the aisles of the grocery store to meet my step goal for the day! At some point I’m going to have to change that, so Sue’s group might be just the thing!
April 10, 2017 at 8:18 pm
That is SUCH an incredible accomplishment!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!
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April 11, 2017 at 10:54 am
Thanks Stacey!!