Overcoming Obesity

Friday, December 31, 2010

365 Days with the 330 Pound Woman, scratch 295 pound woman

It is hard to imagine that 365 days have come to pass. I wasn't sure what was going to happen when I began this journey, no real commitments (other to blogging) just the idea of wanting to become healthier.

I lost 63 pounds by June of 2010. I maintained that weight through business travel and over the summer. From September to today, I have packed on inches and pounds. My weight loss is now down 35 pounds. I have quit smoking (1/4/11 will be exactly one year) which is a huge accomplishment in itself.

I went from not being able to bend over and tie my shoes at a size 28 down to a 22 pant. I am now back in a 24 pant and that is tight. I began this year loathing exercise and end it wishing I was still exercising everyday, it really did so much for me, emotionally and physically.

I found out that I had a passion for biking and hiking and that I could actually cook a pretty dang good meal that was healthy.

Overall, this was a great year. I have to admit, it terrifies me that I allowed myself to gain so much weight back in the last few months (honestly, I gained it Sept and October) and how quickly I lost my stamina and energy from not working out... it tells me that I am still the 330 pound woman. Even though the scales says otherwise, I have been eating what I want, when I want. My midnight snacking is back in nearly full force.

All though, I am struggling, I am not done. One thing I did learn this year, is that you slip, fall and get back up. You can't cry over spilt milk or obsess on what you may feel is a failure. You have to get up, dust off and keep moving.

As I have battled many challenges this year, traveled, found a full time job, lost weight, gained weight, LOVED exercising, hated exercising... I am ending the last day of 2010 very proud and content with my journey.

I will celebrate that I am 35 pounds lighter, two sizes smaller and enjoy my healthy lungs! My goal in 2011 is to move forward with my weight loss. Pick myself up, dust myself off, cook, pre-plan, weigh, measure, track what I eat and exercise.

2011 is going to be an amazing year. To health and prosperity, Happy New Year!!!

21 comments:

  1. Congrats! You are so brave to just throw it all out there. Great job! Wishing you an even better 2011.

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  2. Good luck to you this year. Losing 35lbs and quitting smoking...well, those are great accomplishments. You have proven that you have what it takes to succeed.

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  3. Great on the 35 lbs and quitting smoking - that is fantastic. Now that you've got one year under your belt you can move on to adding to your weight loss success.

    The midnight/evening eating really is a huge problem (speaking from experience, of course) and also bingeing once you've "blown" it. It came to mind while reading your blog that if we just say to ourselves, "No matter what I'm not giving up," then perhaps it would take the pressure off to be so perfect and tell our brains not to bother trying to throw us off track :-)

    Looking forward to sharing success with you this year.

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  4. I think that losing 35 pounds and quitting smoking adds up to a VERY successful 2010. Way to go girl, keep up the GREAT work!

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  5. Just quitting the smoking alone and STAYING quit amazes me. Today is my first day quitting and it's been a very ugly day, lol. Oh my goodness, I've cried so much today, had the shakes...it's been awful. I think this is by far the hardest habit I've ever tried to break. I'm amazed at what you've accomplished. I hope I can follow in your footsteps. :)

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  6. You are GORGEOUS! Chalk your gains up to experience - now you know that this will happen again, if you aren't diligent. And move on! You've made some great strides in 2010 - here's to 2011!
    D

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  7. 35 lbs lost! That is awesome! And giving up smoking...wonderful. Keep it up. And good luck in the new year.

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  8. Happy new year! And please remember that it is all part of the learning process! The first time I took a crack at weight loss I lost 40 lbs and gained 35 of them back... it took me two years to get back on track but now I'm at 80... its all about taking the lessons learned from your first go round... just like everything else in life!

    Please focus on your accomplishments because they are many and you really should be proud of yourself! The weight loss and quitting smoking alone have added YEARS! to your life!

    You kicked a$$ in 2010 and I'd bet you're going to show 2011 who's boss too!

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  9. You have a huge victory to celebrate. Not only did you quit smoking you lost weight! Most people can't quit smoking and if they do they gain weight. You are amazing. Let go of the minor relapse. You started a new job and had to figure out how to assimilate that in with your new lifestyle. In my book you came through with flying colors. In the coming year, you'll drop those regained pounds and then some.

    Look out world - Here she comes!!!!
    Lori

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  10. You should be very proud of the accomplishments you have reached!!! Losing the weight you've lost and quitting smoking are no small feats! Congrats, and cheers to a new year!

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  11. Thank you ladies! The support is amazing! How can I go wrong with such a great group of woman cheering me on!

    Tammy, you can do this! When I found myself wanting one, I'd just chant "I want to be healthy, I want to be healthy, I want to be healthy!" The affirmation helped ease the pressue. It sounds kinda crazy, but I also did breathing exercises. I litterally would hold two fingers to my mouth(closed finger) and inhale deeply and exhale slowly like I was smoking and I got an incredible relaxing sensation. Thats when I realized I liked enjoyed smoking because of the breathing. Best of luck, you can do it!

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  12. Hi! I'm just a visitor who found this blog while looking for a lasagna recipe. I am in weight loss mode as well, and I know exactly the feeling that you described in this post. I just wanted to say that losing 35 pounds IS an amazing accomplishment, and, judging by the few things I have read from you now, to me it seems like you have what it takes to lose many times that, and keep it off. Happy 2011, and happy weight loss!

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  13. I hear you on the binging and the late night eating. If I could just stop time around 8pm I swear I'd be about 60 pounds lighter.

    You should be SO proud of yourself that you've been smoke-free for 1 year. Thats a huge accomplishment. Add in the weight loss, even if it isn't exactly what it was in September, and you've had a damn successful 365 days. You achieved your goal.

    Its not easy to brush yourself and move on especially when there are some yucky, feel down, feelings involved. But know there are plenty of us out there in your shoes and we all have to use each other as support. "Real world" people don't always get our issues thinking we just need to eat less. Unfortunately, plenty of us use eating as an out and its not just that easy.

    I wish you luck in 2011 and hope you keep blogging. I'll keep lurking.

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  14. Don't be TOO hard on yourself at having regained some of that weight - you're still down weight from your 330lbs! That's a great accomplishment, and given that you gave up smoking (insert HUGE applause here) that's quite a feat.

    The real world does have a horrid way of getting in the way; if it was as easy as calories in vs calories out, we'd all have no trouble losing weight.

    Don't let it get you down. As you said, you can celebrate your 35lb loss, and look to 2011 with brightness, because you can do just as well, if not better, this year! We can do it! :)

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  15. I'm new to weight loss - and blogging about it and I found your blog very encouraging - I can see myself in many things you say..well done with the loss and I will follow your story. Thank you you for blogging

    Dawn

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  16. I do believe you are my new favorite, most inspiring, weight loss blogger! AND I just saw your kayaking photo, and that is my dream. ~sigh~ How wonderful...

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  17. I really appreciate this post because I regained 40 pounds last fall and it's such a struggle for me to forgive myself. Thanks for reminding me :)) And congrats for everything you've accomplished.

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  18. I came across your blog looking for encouragement. i have lost 85 pounds in the last year and a half and can't get5 pass the 85 pound mark. i haven't lost any since August, 2010. i have gain 8 pounds loos4e it back to my 85 pound mark and repeat it all over.I'm up 9 pounds and feel like throwing in towel and gaining all my weight back. I had a goal for my 40th birthday and know there is know way I'm going to make it. please keep blogging you can do it. we can both do it.

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  19. I just stumbled upon your blog. Your a true inspiration. I would love to follow you through this.

    You can do anything you set your mind too. My favorite quote is this:

    "I do it because I can, I can because I want to, I want to because you said I couldn't!"

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  20. I used to be an emotional eater. I'm not sure if you're a Christian but God gave me something to help with it. If you would like send me a Sparkmail and I'll send you what I have sent a few others to help with the binging and losing it SLOW! My name is Shawneda on Sparkpeople.

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