Losing Weight and Keeping It Off

The picture to the left is from my junior year of high school. The picture to the right is from my junior year of college. I tried to find myself wearing the same shirt so you could see the difference! 

Most of my readers are facebook friends of mine that have followed a link I have posted on my wall. Because of this, I receive most of my feedback via facebook messages and wall comments. I have had several readers request two things. First, to give some insight on how I lost so much weight (check out this post: Scales and Zeroes). Secondly, they have asked me to share our wedding details.

So first things first: How I lost so much weight. 

I began my freshman year of high school wearing a little girl’s size 14. I was tiny. My mom made jokes about dressing a pencil. But that year I gained 40 pounds and a dozen stretch marks. I ended the year wearing a woman’s size 5. Looking back I see how awesome my body really was then. But it was a progressive issue. By my junior year I was wearing a size 12. I’m almost 5’2” so weighing 155lbs didn’t look as good on me as it does for someone who is 5’10”. 

Six years later I weigh a steady 115lbs. There have been “ups” and “downs” and as a woman I have to accept the fact that my body will fluctuate. So if I were to give you any reasoning for how I lost so much weight, this is it: Mind control. Thank you Steve Carell, Dinner for Schmucks. Let your head tell your heart and your body what it is you want and how you’re going to achieve it. 

1.      I did my best my senior year of high school to learn to enjoy working out. I started with yoga and let myself believe it was a hobby. Then it was the spin cycle class. I wasn’t a regular, but I was probably at the gym at least once a week from then on because it had become something I enjoyed doing.

2.      I told myself I could have one soda a day and only one soda a day. The sodium (not to mention the calories) will cause your body to hold water weight. That’s not a scientific fact it’s just what I’ve been told. Just cutting back on how many sodas I had a day made my cheeks so much smaller. I felt more comfortable and less bloated. 

3.      I eat what I want. If I want McDonald’s and I can afford it I let myself have it. When I was in high school I was so insecure about my weight. I would see a brownie and want it, but knew it was bad for me. Instead of eating the brownie I’d eat a ton of carrots with ranch dressing and an apple with peanut butter and this and that. Sometimes it’s better to let yourself have that one brownie than it is to eat several semi-healthy items and never feel satisfied. Of course, use good judgment and don’t over do it.

4.      I make an effort to recognize when I am full. I wait before I go for seconds so I can really listen to what my body is trying to tell me. Be aware of your portions, but don’t be stingy. If you love those potatoes give yourself a logical amount, but recognize you can’t have desert and you’ll need to be more careful tomorrow. (This goes back to #3)

5.      I make myself realize that it’s not about what I look like. So I have a little muffin top? Big deal. What it comes down to is my lifestyle and whether I fit in the clothes I’ve already paid for. If I let my body go the rest of my life might go with it. By reforming my body I began to learn commitment and self control and it’s helped me throughout my life. And I have built a larger wardrobe because I haven’t had to buy duplicate items in different sizes.

6.      I walk when I can and take the stairs when I don’t want to. Make yourself park far away from the store in the parking lot. It builds patience and leg muscles. 

7.      Spend your calories the way you should spend your money, carefully. You wouldn’t buy shoes you didn’t really love so don’t eat a piece of cake you’re not crazy about either. Save those calories for your favorite bag of chips or double chocolate fudge chip ice cream.

I always try to remember that little actions can have BIG results. I hope some of my small habits can help you as much as they have helped me. If you have discovered a little trick that helps you keep weight off or get it off, please share it with us!