Monday, April 12, 2010

What A Difference A Year Makes

I don’t recall if we were at my in-laws for Easter dinner last year on the Sunday or the Monday – the 12th or the 13th, respectively. For all I can remember, we may have visited with them on the Friday or the Saturday before that, since it would have been a long weekend, but I suspect that it was more likely one of the two formerly mentioned days that saw us breaking bread with my husband’s parents. For my purposes – and also because I starting this blog on August 12th, exactly eight months ago today – I will assume that it was precisely four months earlier that saw me at that supper. But why is all this important?

Today is April 12, 2010. That means that one year ago, I stepped up on the scale after gorging myself at a holiday feast and saw ‘266’ glaring up at me from the washroom floor. I was disgusted. I had no idea that I had let my weight climb so high. It had probably been a good fifteen pounds since I had weighed myself prior to that, so the number was definitely a shock. I did what any reasonable person would do in those circumstances: I went and ate dessert.

If there is anyone out there who needs to hear it, here it is: You can do this! I believe with all of my heart that it is possible for any person out there struggling with their weight to take back what they never thought they would have again, to reclaim all that they have dreamed about for so long!

There is no magical solution! It takes work and dedication and a lot of effort to change the habits that have formed over the years, to work through the mental and emotional battles, and to discover how to reshape your body into something that works with and for you rather than against you. But it is possible! And for all the difficulties that are there to face, there are so many more victories, milestones, and positives than you ever could have imagined! It is worth it! YOU are worth it!!!

I have lost over 115 pounds this year. I started out at 266 and now weigh under 150. I can’t even begin to express how much disbelief I still feel when I think about that! But, I do know without a single doubt that if I can do it, anyone can.

I went and had that dessert… I engaged in the patterns that got me to my biggest state within minutes of discovering how far gone I really was. It took me another four months to really get serious about this journey; before that I stumbled more times than I can count. I get how hard this is and I understand that we are all fighting lifetimes of habits and emotions and circumstances. But, I have to ask… Where could you be next year?

19 comments:

  1. I love this post. Even though I have only around 30 pounds to lose I cling to the thought that one year from now my life can be totally different. Even though you say there is no magic, I believe there is magic in this paragraph:

    "There is no magical solution! It takes work and dedication and a lot of effort to change the habits that have formed over the years, to work thought the mental and emotional battles, and to discover how to reshape your body into something that works with and for you rather than against you. But it is possible! And for all the difficulties that are there to face, there are so many more victories, milestones, and positives than you ever could have imagined! It is worth it! YOU are worth it!!!"

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  2. I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS POST. Just what I needed ton hear today as I embark on my weight loss journey for the second time around. I lost close to 100 lbs in 2006-2007, but then lost my mum at the end of 2008 and while mourning her passing, I went and gained all the weight back plus! I am now at my all time heaviest, I hit rock bottom, but i decided to come out of it. I't been good so far but I still have a ways to go. I hope you will cheer me along the way. K.
    My blog: www.it-is-time.com

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  3. I have lost 15 lbs in 5 months by eating 1400 calories a day and exercising 1.5 hours per day! YAY! In one more year I could be 37 lbs lighter!!!

    Only 80 more lbs to lose after that. I could reach goal by 2013!!!

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  4. Thank you!! You have come so far, in such a short time and it is definitely inspiring. I really appreciate reading about your journey, it does help!! :)

    http://bigsteps2take.blogspot.com/

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  5. "I did what any reasonable person would do in those circumstances: I went and ate dessert." ~~ this made me laugh. Been there, ate it.

    As someone who has stumbled and fallen more times than *I* can count, I needed to hear this post today.
    I really admire your persistence and stamina to stay the course and achieve your goals.

    Next year? I'd love to be at 148.

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  6. Oh I love the question you ended the post with. Excellent. I better be at goal weight or I'm gonna' hurt somebody, lol. :)

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  7. It's your weekly weigh-ins on the right that reminds me that if I just keep at it, I will reach my goal. You stayed with it week after week and even lost during the holidays. I've learned from you that I'm going to be a year older anyway, why not look healthy and trim? Congratulations!

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  8. I cried after reading this post. you really are an inspiration and you have just given me the biggest Kick Up the Butt ever..Thank You

    Hugs

    Sheilagh

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  9. This says it all 266:

    There is no magical solution! It takes work and dedication and a lot of effort to change the habits that have formed over the years, to work thought the mental and emotional battles, and to discover how to reshape your body into something that works with and for you rather than against you. But it is possible! And for all the difficulties that are there to face, there are so many more victories, milestones, and positives than you ever could have imagined! It is worth it! YOU are worth it!!!

    And this is true. I was not as heavy as you but I had to fight my way too & still do as my body changes BUT it can be done!

    GREAT POST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  10. yeah for one year and yeah for 115 pounds and a changed life...awesome.
    Great post!

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  11. Thanks for making me believe that it IS possible!

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  12. I love this posted. I needed to read this today. After the horrible weight in I had last week.

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  13. I NEEDED this post! I NEEDED to hear it is possible... Thank you! Hope next year is MY year for such a post :-) Congratulations on the BIG LOSS. You did it!

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  14. Thanks everyone! I truly find inspiration in all of you!

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  15. I could print this one out and read it over and over. :)

    My original goal was to buy a dress for my husband's graduation in May 2011 that was NOT in the "women's" department. The more confident I get in my journey and the more weight I lose I realize that dress could be smaller than I originally imagined.

    THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart for posting this.

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  16. What a sweet comment! Thank YOU, Leah!

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  17. Thanks for this post - and your incredible story! I'm 3 months in to losing weight - hopefully 100 pounds or more this year! I've lost 20 so far...and then went on vacation and fell back into my old habits for one week. And felt awful. I'm back in the saddle, but aware that I'm just a small decision away from falling hard back into old habits. Reading stories from those who have gone before and endured really help me in my weak moments. Thanks!

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  18. But you got back on that horse, Mami! You should be really, really proud of that! 'Fall down seven times and get up eight,' they say!

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