You know, I wish I’d started recording my weight from day dot of being on this journey. It’s useful to be able to look back and compare where I am now to where I was at a given point in time. I used to reflect on my progress quite easily using the Weight Watchers’ app, but when I broke up with smart points and defected to calories, I think Weight Watchers binned all my data before I’d even shut the door. I tried to access it yesterday but they were having none of it.
I know when I started in August 2015 I was north of 320lbs. I did really well for a few months, but I definitely ran out of steam and fannied around quite a bit towards the back end of 2016, after I’d completed the trek. Honestly, this journey overall has been about as straight as a dog’s hind leg.
I can’t help feeling frustrated when I think about the way I’ve matched every two steps forward with one step backwards. I mean for fuck’s sake…I know roughly where I was on the scale when I left for Cuba this time last year, and at best I’m net 7lbs down from what I was then. I’ve not exactly brought my ‘A’ game over the last 12 months, have I?
Capturing a picture of my conversation with the scale every week from the beginning of this year has been one of the best ideas ever, because now I can look back and use it as a tool to spur me on. I’ve got a holiday coming up in a few weeks and right now, despite a couple of wobbles I actually weigh the same as I did when I got back from Italy in June. I haven’t gone backwards.
And better than that, I’m 15lbs lighter than I was when we cruised around the Middle East in February. By the time we set off again in a month’s time I’m planning to be a few pounds lighter still, and that will be my skinniest holiday in years.
I’d be the first one to admit that my progress hasn’t been especially fast. Says the Queen of understatement…seven pounds off over the last twelve months is fairly shit by anybody’s standards, right? Half a pound a month as an average, I mean it’s a joke really. However. It’s still seven pounds in the right direction. And I’ll take that.
So it’s not quick. Who cares? It’s happening. And I’m doing something I’ve never been able to do before. Of course, I’ve lost weight in the past and sometimes I’ve lost the weight quickly. Lots of weight. But I’ve never kept a diet going long enough for it to be considered a lifestyle change. I’ve never forced myself to exercise consistently when both my mind and body said no, and I’ve certainly never fallen down over and over again, whilst somehow finding the will to get back up as many times as it takes to just keep on going.
This time, I’ve done all of those things. I’m still doing them and that’s why I know that this time is for keeps, because there’s nothing that will stop these feet from carrying me all the way to Skinny Town.
It just might take a while, is all… 🙂
One year, I lost exactly one pound! I still considered it a success, because I managed to maintain my weight, more or less, throughout the year. Nowadays, I set very modest monthly goals. I’m about 10 pounds from my final goal, and I’m aiming to lose just a half a pound each month. But that’s six pounds for the year, and the time passes anyway, so there’s no point in hurrying the weight loss by making myself miserable. Half-pound monthly goals allow for the occasional indulgence. One has got to live and enjoy life, after all. When I weighed more, I aimed for two pounds a month. As I lost weight, the monthly goals became more modest because it was more difficult to lose without severely cutting calories. I think any loss, of any amount, is a success! I enjoy reading your blog very much, with some wonderful LOL moments. Thanks for writing.
Hi Anne, that’s a brilliant attitude! I know that wanting everything to happen quickly could be my undoing, I put a lot of pressure on myself, probably more than I need to…I’m just impatient. Congratulations on your weight loss and I’m glad you’re enjoying the blog…it’s great to have your company 🙂
Are you taking into consideration that the closer you are to goal the harder it is to lose. You have done a fantastic job, we are proud of you.
Aw thanks Paula that’s so lovely of you! ?
It’s just the facts
Ditto, go Girl go! And – take heart all a’ y’all – we’re marching to Skinny town -lol-
Amen to that Fleury!
It’s also a mindset change. And as you have noticed lately, your body shape is changing so while you may not have lost many total pounds over the year, you’ve lost fat and built muscle, which will benefit you in the long haul.
Keep on getting back up and you will always succeed!
Exactly Mimi!
Congrats on the three pounds down the last week. I like what you said ” I’ve never kept a diet going long enough for it to be considered a lifestyle change. I’ve never forced myself to exercise consistently when both my mind and body said no, and I’ve certainly never fallen down over and over again, whilst somehow finding the will to get back up as many times as it takes to just keep on going.”
“This time, I’ve done all of those things. I’m still doing them and that’s why I know that this time is for keeps, because there’s nothing that will stop these feet from carrying me all the way to Skinny Town.”
This time is for keeps, and we are here cheering you on all the way! Go Dee Go!
Aw thanks Susan, what would I do without you guys! ?