Pounds Count From Confessions of an Overeater; Happy Bdays' again!
So, this week has kind of been about different forms of motivation for weight loss. Monday we had FJ's point of view, Tuesday was the crazy stuff, Wednesday was about how I looked at it & today is another perspective.Over at Confessions of a Compulsive Eater, there was a very interesting post. Heck they all are BUT I thought my readers would find this one very interesting - she writes:
Pounds Count
Bear with me as I amuse myself…
I thought it would be interesting to calculate roughly how many pounds I have gained and lost since I was a sophomore in high school.
Between the age of 16 and ulp, I’ll be 42 this month, so that is what, 26 years, I calculated that I have gained and lost at least 250 pounds. That does not include the 30 lbs I put on and took off for each of my two pregnancies which would add on 120 more pounds!).
When I think about it that way, it seems so bizarre. What have I done to my 5′3″ body cumulatively with all that yo-yo’ing up and down the scale?
How many pounds do you figure you have gained and lost throughout your adulthood? (this is from her post)
**************************************************************************************
I found this so "enlightening". Not that it is something people do not do because we know there are thousands & thousands & thousands that do each & every year. I just never thought about it in this way. I actually never went thru this. I always wanted to lose weight but never tried & stopped & tried & stopped. One day I just decided to try in high school & that was it. I had about 30-40 pounds to lose. Although, over time, I had to make many changes & learn how to do things right. Yes, I did put back on maybe 10 pounds or so that came off again BUT I have never been in the shoes of Confessions of a Compulsive Eater nor any of you out there that have done this extreme type of up & down.
I thought it would really be something for people to stop and think about right now! Are you one of these people? Are you on the down side right now & will you keep it there? As I said yesterday, I never looked at an end date that I would stop "dieting". I always knew I would have to be diligent life long based on my past & how my body "loved food & kept weight on very easily" yet was friggin hard to get off. I had to work way harder than others to get the same weight loss. I still have to work harder than many to stay fit & healthy. We are all different.
I am curious if you are one of the people like "Confessions". Have you gone thru this? How many times? What are you doing to change your mindset to make sure this is the last time? If you survived it & are on the other end, what did you do to change your mindset?
I heard a lady say today & I have posted about this before: "You have to put yourself first for a change." You are going to be better for all if you make yourself a priority. And as I always say, plan ahead, be consistent, be patient, don't give up. Look at it as getting healthy for life, for you. Schedule in your workouts & you time too. MAKE THIS NON NEGOTIABLE!
I was listening to The Today Show as I was doing other things & stopped to listen to this segment about personal stories from men & women that have lost a LOT of weight and how they kept going & keep maintaining. As we all know, the weight loss journey is a mental as well as physical challenge so take note:
1. Start each day with positive self talk. Tell yourself you are worth it!!!!
2. Journal your journey both food & exercise as well as other important parts as well.
3. List all the reasons why you lost the weight AND the perks you get from losing that weight like being able to move better, play with your kids & go on rides with them, tie your shoes, touch your toes, sit in chairs more comfortable, compliments and more!
4. SHOP - go shopping & try on the size you used to wear & the size you wear now!!! From Jody: I loved this one!
5. Change it up. Try new things & take it outside now that the weather is getting better.
Let me know your thoughts. Are you going thru this or how did you survive it & come out on the winning end? Any experiences you can share to help others get thru this or NOT do this. How do you like the points above? Have you used them or will you implement them?
Categories: Challenges, Addictions, Health, Motivation/Support, Tips, Life Experiences, Dieting
Tags: fitness Diets challenges lifestyle food Exercise eating workouts health addictions Tips
you are so welcome, jody!
i feel like this time is the end for me and i will stay here because this is the first time i 1) realized that i had an eating disorder 2) embraced the disorder 3) went to OA meetings; and 4) went to therapy which has helped me to gain many new awarenesses about myself which never entered my mind before. i know when where this ED came from and i'm attacking it.
i know i will struggle with this to some degree for the rest of my life, but for now, i've decided to take charge of the food instead of it being in charge of me.
Reply to this
I am so glad you are "in charge". Everything worth it is life long!
Reply to this
Wow, this is a great post. I have done way too much yo yoing in my life. The cool thing that I am finally doing is daily exercise. The daily exercise has helped me to yo yo significantly less. My weight loss is not fast, but each pound is adding up and I finally think that I can maintain the loss as long as I keep up the exercise. It feels very freeing...
Reply to this
Kat, when you do it the right way, it becomes a lifestyle change! You are doing great!
Reply to this
Love the tips, except #4. My before sizes are in another whole area of the store (or at plus size only stores.) I don't think Lane Bryant's personnel or the customers would appreciate me bopping in to try on clothes just for the fun of it. LOL Plus, as much as I despise trying on clothes (even smaller ones), I'm not about to torture myself trying on clothes I know don't fit.
Reply to this
OK, you got me on that!
Reply to this
I think that food journaling is among the most important steps in losing weight and maintaining weight lost.
An aspect of food journaling that I suggest to clients isn't to write it down as they go, but to write it down before they go. That is; write down each meal and each snack you are going to eat, just prior to eating it. At that moment of writing it down, there is a relationship established with that meal or snack that empowers a person to not want to eat beyond what is written down.
Reply to this
Roy, what a great idea! Thx for sharing.
Reply to this
I also recommend keeping a food journal to help people track what they are really eating, but now in addition, I'm going to start using the pro-active suggestion that Roy tells his clients!
Reply to this
Dr. J, Roy got us on that, didn't he!
Reply to this
Positive thoughts - YES! My mantra. Be what you are. If you are positive, you will stay positive.
Reply to this
I like that Lori. Be what you are!
Reply to this
What a great post today! I too would have never thought about all the weight I've lost/gained over the years like that...it really does make you think.
Great tips - all for #5..changin' it up is always a plus and keeps things more exciting.
Reply to this
Amanda, yes, changing it up keeps things fresh plus pushes the bod in new ways!
Reply to this
Hmm...I've probably yoyoed around 350 pounds.
Reply to this
Interesting to think about it this way...
Reply to this
Another great post today! I have probably lost only about 50lbs or so and most from having children. I am lucky enough to have always been about 10 lbs heavier than I was in high school but now I am defintity eating better...thanks to blogs like this!!!
Reply to this
Sian, that is great! The general population can't say that!
Reply to this
You know... I think that blogging is my positive self talk! I think that simply making the time to record this journey really solidifies for me that I am worth it. Great post!
Reply to this