Ann asked in a comment on the last post what I think the secret has been to my success, so I thought I'd post about it. There are several things that have contributed to my success -- not just one all-encompassing secret -- and the combination of all of them has made the difference for me. This is the experience that I've had -- it's a completely personal one, and in no way am I saying everyone should do what I've done because it's the only way to lose weight. Find out what works for you! I just thought I'd share in case it helps anyone. I would love for others to post about this, too, and describe why they've had the success they've had.
I've mentioned here before that I lost weight a few years ago with some success. I lost about 30 lbs, but it took about 7 months or longer (if I remember right). I did that by eating less of the same foods and adding in daily exercise.
Here's what I've done differently this time around (not in any order of importance):
- I've cut calories to 1200 a day. When I've told people that they act like I'm starving myself, but I promise you I'm not. At first it was hard to adjust to that number, but it didn't take long before that was satisfying. And now, I have a hard time envisioning myself eating more than that when I'm ready to maintain. I wanted to see the weight come off faster, and I believe this helped significantly.
- I think now in terms of "healthy" and not "skinny." My husband has tried to tell me this for years. Whenever I'd start to complain about my weight and how unhappy I was about how heavy I was and how I was once again (!!) determined to get thin, he would always say, "Forget about being skinny. Focus on being healthy." But, I'm not kidding, no matter how many times I heard him say this to me, I'd be thinking, "Yeah, okay. That's really just husband-speak for 'I can't wait for you to get skinny again'." But NOW I get it. He was right!
I had a heart scare when I first began this weight loss journey -- tightness in my chest, heart palpitations, etc. It freaked me out!! For the FIRST time, I realized that what I was eating wasn't just making me fat and miserable, it was making me sick. I was only 32, and suddenly I was worried if exercising was going to give me a heart attack. I had never worried about that before. At that point, I began to research foods that would be good for my heart and health -- something I really didn't think much about before. I started adding those to my diet. I continued to exercise. And I haven't had any more heart worries since that time. It was almost like it was just meant as a wake up call. It definitely did the trick!
I believe putting the focus on health rather than weight is essential to not just losing the weight, but keeping it off -- which I am determined to do. It will also help you feel happy even during weeks when the weight doesn't come off as quickly.
I have had acne problems almost my entire life, but my skin is by far the best right now that it has been in years. I've heard people say that diet doesn't actually effect your skin -- yeah right! That has been added motivation for me to get the right foods in my body every day.
- Limited or no sugar. I don't mean just no candy bars. I mean that and all of the processed junk that comes loaded with high fructose corn syrup or other addictive crap in it.
- Dedication and consistency. My dedication level is much deeper than it was a few years ago (mostly because of the health aspect). We went out to dinner with some friends a couple months ago, and Andrew ordered ice cream for dessert. He was sharing with the kids and telling me how amazing it was and wouldn't I like to try just a bite? I just shook my head. His friend looked at me, somewhat bewildered. Andrew turned to his friend and said, "And that's how you lose 25 lbs." His friend raised his eyebrows and nodded. "Ahh, so that's how it works."
I've gone to church functions that were chocolate night or ice cream night, I've gone out with family to ice cream shops or pizza places, and I'm always the only one not eating. At first I felt weird and out of place, and I felt like people thought I was self-righteous or something for not eating the chocolate or whatever. But it was all in my head. I have a very real addiction to sugar. When I have sugar, I want more. When I want more, I have more. And then I feel sick and depressed. So, for me, it made more sense to cut out the depression, the fat, and the acne all at the same time. And to be honest, it is not even tempting anymore, because I feel so much better and happier now. Last time around, I would have cake when it was offered and brownies if it was there, and the weight just didn't come off as quickly as I wanted. And because it was never all the way gone from my system (was still eating processed foods loaded with sweeteners), I always craved it, and I would still feel deprived if others had it and I didn't. I don't feel that way at all now.
- I am also very consistent with my workouts. I exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, every day -- except Sunday. I've found that, while it takes time I sometimes feel like I don't have, my energy level is much higher, and I am actually more productive throughout the day.
43.8 lbs down to date. 9 inches off my waist and 7 inches from my hips.
Started this journey March 1, 2012
(Now, clearly the Oct. 2011 pic is not a flattering one, and I was wearing more than one layer...but I couldn't find a recent picture that really showed much of me. I don't have very many pictures of myself!)
Started this journey March 1, 2012
(Now, clearly the Oct. 2011 pic is not a flattering one, and I was wearing more than one layer...but I couldn't find a recent picture that really showed much of me. I don't have very many pictures of myself!)
I am currently about four pounds away from what my dream goal was when I started. I don't really know why it's continued to come off steadily -- everyone says it should go slower when you have less to lose (I have actually lost less than normal these past 2 weeks...). I've just stuck with the same plan the whole time, and it's worked for me. Now that I've made it this far, I realize I would like to lose even more (going for 10 more). I'm not going for super skinny -- I just want to be super fit! I've never had a six pack in my life, and I still can't imagine having one -- but wouldn't that be fun? Why not go for it? :)
Great post! You look so beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary! :)
DeleteAwesome! I love the pics of the girls whispering a secret. :) And you look fabulous! So, my question is... I'm a sugar addict too. So, when you first gave up sugar I imagine it was pretty difficult. What kinds of things did you tell yourself in the beginning to help you resist sugar? For example, last night we went to my Grandpa's 85th birthday party. Before the party I told myself I would not have any cake or ice cream. But then when we got there the cake just looked so yummy and I ate some. What kind of things would you tell yourself in those situations? Tell me a little more about what you did in the beginning when it was hard to get off sugar. I need help! :) I like how you think of being healthy not skinny. That helps me too. And I agree that consistent exercise is a secret to success. But the sugar is killing me! :) I have improved in the last few months cause I used to really binge on sugar. I'd buy a large bag of peanut butter m&ms and eat the whole thing! But now I'm able to just eat one serving of sugar. But even one serving of any kind of dessert is loaded with calories and uses up too many of my daily calories. So, I'm staring to realize that maybe I need to cut out sugar completely or only have it once a week or something. I'd appreciate any help anyone has to offer. :) Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteI like the "I can have that, but I don't want it" idea. And I do remember telling myself that in the beginning.
DeleteI had a vision in my mind of who I wanted to become and how I wanted to feel and what I wanted to look like. I found an old picture of myself of when I was healthy and happy, and I would look at it every single day. (If you don't have a picture like that, you can just create one in your mind!) That helped me to remember why I wasn't eating cake and ice cream like everybody else. When the cake or whatever was offered, I would recall that photo or that image in my mind and would remind myself that the cake was not going to help me reach my goals, and even though it might taste good for a minute, it would ultimately not make me feel good or help me become the person I wanted to be.
Like Melyssa said below, it takes about a week or so for the cravings to leave. After that it is much easier. And she said the same thing I was thinking about the switch in the brain. Until that goes off -- it just doesn't work very well.
Keep us posted on how it goes for you. :) Good luck!!
Jenn, you've done GREAT. You've truly inspired me on this journey. You said this in your post, but I will restate again that Jenn NEVER cheats. That's critical if you want the consistent success that she has. For me to be successful, I have to have a "switch go off in my brain." I can talk about it and worry about it and try and fail and try again, but until that switch goes off, I will just lose a lb here and there. Jenn's made the switch in her brain and her commitment level is at 100%. That's what makes her successful. I always love it when people ask, "How did you lose it?!?!?" And, it's that good ol' tried and true answer, "diet and exercise." Haha! Thanks for sharing your secret with all of us, Jenn!
ReplyDeleteAnn, as far as sugar goes, I've gone without sugar for months in the past- even avoided all holiday treats effortlessly. But, it took about 1 week- 10 days of no sugar to get over the addiction. It's a tough one. My husband quit eating sugar in January and the other day he ate a 1 inch square of a graham cracker and he said he couldn't believe how SWEET it was. A graham cracker! I don't even consider that a dessert! :) Anyway, it IS possible, but it's gonna take that switch in your brain and deciding to have that amazing commitment level that Jenn has. I wish I had a less vague solution! ;) Also, when I quit eating sugar, I was doing Somersizing- Suzanne Somers weight loss program. It's a great one and definitely works! There are several somersizing diet books you can check out at the library.
This is getting lengthy... I'm also counting calories and exercising and when I actually stick to my daily caloric goal of 1200, then I lose weight on an almost daily basis. :)
Ditto on the switch in the brain! I wish there was a better way to explain it or a "how to" on how to get the switch to go off! I could have used that a long time ago. :)
DeleteThanks ladies! Those are some good thoughts. I understand that switch idea too. It just seems like sometimes I have the motivation to do what I need to do and sometimes I don't. And I don't know how to explain how I get it, when I've got it. I don't know how the switch went off or how to make it go off again. If that makes sense. I think the important thing is never giving up and learning along the way. I keep a little journal of what I'm learning about myself and food and one of these days I'll be at 100%. I'm off to find a happy/healthy picture. :)
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean about having motivation sometimes and other times not having it at all. I feel the same way. Why can't I just have it all the time?? :)
DeleteThanks for such a detailed post about how you've gotten to where you are and how you think about things. It was really motivating to read. I am especially impressed by Melyssa's witness that you never cheat! I'm hoping to find that switch too.
ReplyDeleteThis is a tangent from the topic, but I'm wondering what changes in diet & lifestyle have happened for your family/children as you do this. Sometimes I feel like I'm doing well personally but not so sure I'm helping my kids grow into healthy eaters. Anybody have thoughts on this?
Oh man, I definitely need help with getting the kids to eat healthier foods. I cringe every time I give them chicken nuggets and hot dogs, but I don't know what else to feed them. They are extremely picky; sometimes I can get them to eat what I've prepared for the family, but usually not. I have been trying to give them more fruit leather than fruit snacks, but they still have plenty of fruit snacks. And this week I made them banana popsicles -- but they're covered in chocolate...so not sure I'm making too much headway... :) I hope someone has more helpful hints on this than I do.
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