32 pounds gone forever...

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Since I've gained all of this weight, I haven't wanted to be in any photos. 
I'm not going to hide myself away any longer. No, I'm not thin, but I am healthier than before. 

This is the body I made for myself with each mouthful of junk. 

 

This is me today -- 259 pounds. 32 pounds gone forever. I'm wearing clothes I couldn't wear 4 months ago. 

 

This is the body I am re-making for myself with healthy, cleaner foods. I am... a life... and body... in progress. 

    

"The scale can only give you a numerical reflection of your relationship with gravity. It cannot measure beauty, talent, purpose, life force, possibility, strength, or love. Don’t give the scale more power than it has earned. Take note of the number, then get off the scale and live your life." 
~ Steve Maraboli ~

100 Days of Spark People!

Wednesday, August 06, 2014

 

"Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin." 
~ Blessed Mother Teresa ~ 

Today marks my 100th day back at Spark People. 

I have made a few... changes...  

WEIGHT: 
Starting Weight: 291 
Current Weight: 261 
1st Goal Weight: 250 
Mid-Term Goal: 199 (*ONE*derland) 
Final Goal Weight: 140 

WEIGHT LOST: 30 pounds 

START SIZE: 3X 
CURRENT SIZE: 1X 

INCHES LOST: 
1.5 Thighs 
2.75 Biceps 
5 Bust 
4.75 Waist 
3 Hips 
1.5 Neck 
3.5 Upper Arm 
.3 Waist to Hip Ratio 

ENERGY LEVEL: HIGH 
SLEEP LEVEL: HIGH 
STRESS LEVEL: LOW 

I'm getting at least 3 fruits / veggies per day. I'm exercising at least 3X per week! Tracking weight, nutrition, food, and water daily. 

Drinking water -- at least 80 ounces per day. 

100 Days without sodas, teas, coffee, or carbonated beverages. 

100 Days of no candy, cookies, cake, pie. 

100 Days of feeling re-energized, calm, happy, motivated, determined, strong, and empowered. 

100 Days of compassion, support, advice, and friendship from Spark People members, for which I am forever grateful.

Swimming -- my happy time!

Thursday, July 31, 2014

The man who is swimming against the stream knows the strength of it. 
~ Woodrow Wilson ~ 

      

I spent three hours in the pool yesterday. I was loathe to get out! I managed a couple of achievements, too. 

Swam 6 laps (Breast Stroke) without the noodle. I did cheat and use my arms, though...  

Did a lot of water-walking / marching and arm exercises with the foam barbell.

No weight loss -- but I really feel the toning and strengthening. 

 

 

 

My accomplishments after 90 days at Spark People!

I was FREEZING when I hopped out of the pool this afternoon!

I am at 90 days back at Spark People!  

My accomplishments to date: 

1. 30 pounds down 
2. Down one pants size (3X to 2X) And maybe even two... 
3. Exercising / swimming 3X per week 
4. Lost 4 1/2 inches 
5. Blood Pressure is low enough that Doctor has halved my dosages 
6. Energy levels are high 
7. No soda / tea / coffee for 90 days 
8. No longer considered "pre-diabetic" 
9. Preparing to walk in a 5K in October 

Last but more importantly, I AM HAPPY!  

Spark People, Friends, I LOVE YOU!  

Non-Scales Victories (mid-July)

Non-Scale Victories!

Sunday, July 20, 2014

So, my darn scale is being a witch. That's okay, I'm steady exercising and losing INCHES! Yes, that's right!  I've lost a total of 4 1/2 inches since July 3rd! 

 Go me!  

I am learning that after you begin an exercise program, you will likely gain a few pounds due to water retention. Your muscles are storing and burning fat for fuel. After 4 to 6 weeks, there is a breakthrough, and the scale will begin to move downward once again. 

I can live with that!  

I am so enjoying this... the swimming... the workouts... the sheer joy of being alive and moving. 

Why did I wait so darn long? 

These are the bracelets on my right wrist. They used to be quite tight. Not anymore! 

30 Pounds down!!!

Saturday, July 12, 2014

I am now OFFICIALLY 30 pounds down from 291! 

I began this journey at a BMI of 51.5 -- I'm now at 46.2 -- a full 5 points down. I still have 7 points to lose to reach the "severely obese" stage. 

I frankly don't see myself as "morbidly obese" but I recognize that it's not based on appearance but WEIGHT. I still have 121 pounds to lose to reach my goal. 

Reach it, I will. 

BMI	Weight Status
Below 20.0	Under weight
18.5 - 24.9	Healthy
25.0 - 29.9	Slightly Overweight
30.0 - 34.9	Obese
35.0 - 39.9	Severely Obese
40.0 and Over	Morbidly Obese

I went for my 6 month check-up yesterday and received great news. My BP is low enough now that my Doc halved my BP meds. He's pleased with my weight loss and is halving my Metformin dosage. 

He said if I lose 30 pounds by January, he will likely take me OFF of the Metformin and halve my Lovastatin (Cholesterol med) as well. 

I am so happy! Very positive reinforcement indeed! 

This evening... I am going to try on a pair of size 1X jeans. I don't think they will fit quite yet, but I am interested in seeing how close I am. 

Of course, it is a goal to leave the PLUS sizes behind me. 

I have another goal: to be able to COMFORTABLY cross my legs while seated. All of us who are very overweight know that crossing one's legs becomes impossible. It just does. I want to be able to do that again (without thinking about it). 

Funny... the things that you want to do once you've gotten too big to do them. We all go through it -- it's akin to mourning. 

However, we CAN get those things back. We just have to work at it. It IS worth the time, effort, and energy. WE are worth it. 

I. AM. WORTH. IT

30 pounds of fat and the choice is mine.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

 

As of today, it's a 29 pound loss for me, but I wanted to see what 30 pounds of fat looks like. 

Wow. Was I really carrying that much fat? And do I still have 120 pounds of that horrible stuff to lose? 

Yes. Yes, I do. 

 

Just imagine 120 pounds of fat -- what is doing to my heart, lungs, kidneys, pancreas, etc. 

This is what motivates me to keep working, every day, to lose this weight and get healthier. 

I CHOOSE to move forward. I CHOOSE to walk and swim. I CHOOSE to demand a healthier me. 

I CHOOSE to eat better and to leave the fatty, sugary, sodium-laced processed foods behind. 

I CHOOSE LIFE! 

I do want to crow a bit: I got in three days of swimming (90+ minutes each time) this week! 

10% GOAL REACHED!

Saturday, July 05, 2014

My first major goal was to lose 10% of my beginning weight of 291 pounds. I reached that goal this morning!!!

10% of 291 = 29.1 pounds
291 - 29 = 262!

This morning my scale was a solid 262!

WOO HOO! I am re-energized!   

Now, for the NEXT 10% Goal:

10% of 262 = 26.2 or 236 pounds. 

I've also dropped my BMI from a DANGEROUSLY High 51.5 down to a still-high, but less deadly,  46.4.  That's 5 points. Doesn't sound like much -- but it's important to keep lowering that number. 

Classification BMI Underweight  <19 Ideal BMI 19-25 Overweight 25-30 Obese >30 Severely Obese >35 Morbidly Obese >40 Super Obese >50

 

Yes... at 5' 3", I was considered Super Obese. Now, it's Morbid Obesity.  I am on my way to 39 -- which will take me OUT of the Morbid range and into Severely Obese. 

Do I like those terms? No, I don't.  However, it is what it is and only I can change that. 

I CAN. I WILL. 

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!

Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are
~~ Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin ~~

Dreams... and the story they tell.

Sunday, May 18, 2014

A couple of months before coming back to Spark people, I began having a recurring dream. 

I was back home on Tybee. I was walking down Jones Avenue -- which runs approximately 3/4 the length of the island. I was slender. I had energy and wasn't tired. 

I went in to a very familiar store to talk with friends and they remarked on the weight I'd gained. Looking down, I saw myself as I am now. I cried. 

One of my friends stopped me cold by telling me that I KNEW how to lose weight and why wasn't I doing it? 

She proceeded to lay it all out for me. "Two sizes" she said. "You've done it before, get out and do it now. I'm not sorry for you." 

I had that dream about 5 times. 

I'm awake now. I DO know how to lose weight and I AM doing it. 

I haven't had that dream since I came back to SP. 

BTW: That sweet old friend of my dreams? She died in 2001.  

For you, MAJ. I miss you. Thank you.