I’m almost embarrassed to post this, but it’s time to get real and have some tough love with myself. The year was 2007, it was January 2nd and like most of America, I decided to finally lose weight. I joined a gym, joined a really new website for tracking calories/workouts (Sparkpeople, which is HUUUGGGEEEE) now and I went hard. I never missed a day. I worked hard every.single.day. Every night I would plan and prep my meals for the next day and that’s what I would eat the next day, much easier to do working in an office like I was than at home like I am now, but I digress. In just 6 short months, I dropped just under 50lbs, but more importantly, I went from a size 16/18 and 1XL to a size 8 and a size Medium.
Fast forward to now where I’ve been “trying to lose weight” for 6+ years and I’m the exact same weight (plus or minus 5lbs) and the exact same size and measurements. It has to stop. I KNOW what has to be done, but I have been SOOOO unbelievably stubborn about it. I have tried everything BUT what worked before. Why? I have no idea, probably because it was HARD. But, looking at these pictures, holy crap, so worth every tear shed and sweat dropped on the floor. No more letting my life and others around me (real life and blog land) dictating what I do. It’s time to get tough with myself, put in the hard work and stop trying. Time to start DOING. I’m putting this all out there because in 6 months time I want to come back and say BOOM. You did it.
And here’s the official plan: weigh in once a week (ugh, I hate the scale, but I will weigh once a week and then put it away until the following Monday), measurements and pictures once a month. Meal prep! Drink water instead of drinking my weight in Diet Pepsi. I hate this term, but there’s no other way to put it and it worked like a charm before; one cheat meal a week. No limits, whatever I’m craving. Tracking everything I’m eating. I don’t believe in cutting out food groups, but I do believe that you have to set a limit for yourself; whether that’s tracking calories or macronutrients.
And hopefully be fitting into that swim suit again soon!
I think you look amazing now! Way to go! You can do it, I know you can!
BTW-I’m on SparkPeople too! 🙂
Ha- I wish those were current pictures!!
I am trying some tough love too. Gained back 15. It is so freaking hard. We got this.
It’s totally a journey, and I completely understand. Just remember, regardless, to always be patient and kind with yourself. You look great no matter what!
I think those are excellent goals to have! I am still working on mine from about a year ago! Once you hit that plateau it is tough to get out of. I am slowly getting out of my rut but once again the scale hasn’t changed. Hang in there…you’ll get there! 🙂
Oh girl, I totally relate to this! I’ve had times in my life when I do so well and get great results and times when I just don’t. I know being a mom of young kids doesn’t help the process….at all. Your pictures look amazing though and I’m so impressed you lost almost 50 pounds in 6 months. What an accomplishment. I recently decided I need to shape up things around here too and I’m looking forward to seeing and feeling the results. I wish you all the best!
It was hard work, but knowing that I did it before gives me the push and motivation to do it again!