Happyhealthy: Before, after pictures and thoughts as I approach goal :)

happyhealthy

Omnomnomnom
As some of you will know from reading my dairy, I'm 1lb away from goal. Bearing in mind that I had a meal out last night, I'm sure some of the 1lb will be sodium weight and I'm pretty much now at goal :D It won't be official until those scales show 8 stone, so until then it's made me sit back, in my garden, glass of ice cool orange juice in hand a reflect on my weight loss.
As there are so many people on Minis just starting out I thought I would share my thoughts in the hope that it may help someone else. This most may sound a little self-indulgent, so I apologise in advance!

A lot of people on this site tell their stories that they were once slim, then they settled down, got married, had children and a combination of those meant that they slowly, but surly, became overweight. My story is a little different - I've been overweight my whole life. Well that's not strictly true, I was a healthy weight up until I was about 6, then I started getting a little chubby. I'm an only child so I think that where other people would get their meals and snacks split with siblings, I would just get the whole lot, like I would be allowed to eat a whole bottle of orange juice on the way home from school instead of being told to 'share that with your sister' like my best friend had to. My parents are also very fond of restaurants and we'd dine out on rich foods maybe 3-4 times a week for 3 course dinners, sometimes even more. I never ate unhealthily (I've never had a microwave meal in my life) just too much. I've always been a very happy person, lots of great friends and a loving family but I would get quite upset at my weight, but at that time little 14 year old me had no concept of calories, energy or portions so I continued to eat the only way I knew how and I continued gaining weight.

It all changed however, on 1st December 2010 at 18:18 (yes! I remember the exact time) I stood on the scales and I was just under 13 stone - the last time I checked I'd been 12 stones. Being only 5'2 this made me well in the obese range at only 18 years of age and that, for me, was heartbreaking. For the first time in my life I went into a complete emotional meltdown. I couldn't understand how something that made me so secretly sad was something I couldn't change about myself. Why was I doing this to myself? Why couldn't I get the strength together to change it? I stepped on the scales again and seen the needle pointing just under the 13 mark and a steely determination came over me: I was going to do this. Little did I know then that this would be the start of 7 months that would change my life drastically. I was high on both hope and excitement because I was determined that I was going to do this. As they say "Eyes down on the prize and don’t stop until you get there”

The first few months had their challenging moments but after a while it felt just like a way of life. I counted every calorie I ate and made sure I stuck to my daily limit. 3 course dinners where limited to once a week. I joined the gym. I ate healthily. Of course there was moments of sheer temptation, but the joy of seeing the dial on the scales going down was better than any 7 seconds of gluttony scoffing down a muffin could offer. As I seen my body change with the weight loss, it was like I'd almost been given a new body. I started getting a waist, collar bones and then hip bones! It was sometimes difficult to accept the new me - I'd never ever been slim and suddenly the body I was living in had taken on a whole new form. I needed to get to know her, find out what clothes suit her, what hairstyles suit her shape.This morning, I looked at my reflection in the bathroom and I started crying, not tears of sadness about how large I was, but tears of joy. I still don't really know this person in the mirror yet, but all I can say is that I'm god damn proud of her.

For anyone starting out or on their journey there is nothing and I mean nothing that betters the feeling of achieving a long held dream, hang in there as I promise you it will be worth it. It may sound shallow and superficial but walking into a normal High Street chain store and picking up a size 8 to discover it fits rather than a size 18 in Evans or the plus sections gives you a rush that no chocolate bar ever could. No it doesn’t solve all of life’s problems but somehow they all seem a little more manageable! I used to spend time reading success stories in the papers and magazines as well as seeing others around me lose weight and I would wish that was me. If you are reading this now and wishing, please please please don’t wish, make it happen, live the dream. Don't settle for "I'll just be overweight" - go for your dream weight, strive for that body you always wished you had. I am no-one special, just your average fat girl that had had enough. Losing this weight has been the hardest thing I've ever had to do, the fat in your body is going to put up a fight, but you can be strong enough to fight it back. This can be your reality too, follow your plan, stay strong and in the blink of an eye you will be your own inspiration.

I am now starting to move into maintenance, am I fearful, hell yes, but you know what, I was fearful when I began calorie counting and look where I am now. I can do this if I allow myself to and I here and now give myself permission to succeed!

And as a final less informal note, I'd just like to say to those 67 pounds that I lost and on reflection, lowered my confidence and made me so sad at times: KISS MY SKINNY ASS! :kissass:

All my friends on Minis are an essential part of the journey and all play a part in my success, thank you, I love you all.

Lucy
xx


Before:
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After:
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Wonderful, inspirational, and not really self indulgent - but even if it was, you bloody well deserve to be! lol xxx
 
Wow Lucy,
I've just read your post and you've done so well, you've made me more determined now that I can and will get this weight off once and for all.
How many cals did you start off on when you were at your biggest if you don't mind me asking?
Thanks for this post, I'm going to keep looking at it in moments of weakness.xx
 
Wow, congratulations Lucy, what a great achievement!

You just gave me a boost at a much needed time. I am taking a leaf out of your book!!
 
Wonderful, inspirational, and not really self indulgent - but even if it was, you bloody well deserve to be! lol xxx

Thank you so much, it's really lovely to hear all this support :) xx
 
Wow Lucy,
I've just read your post and you've done so well, you've made me more determined now that I can and will get this weight off once and for all.
How many cals did you start off on when you were at your biggest if you don't mind me asking?
Thanks for this post, I'm going to keep looking at it in moments of weakness.xx

Of course I don't mind you at all asking my weights, that's why I posted this to hopefully help others out! I was just under 13 stones, which may not seen gigantic but I'm only 5'2 and 18 at the time so I was wasn't a very nice situation to be in at all. Plus that weight made me comfortably in the obese which was horrible, especially since I was so young and I wanted to get the most out of life - not to be held back by poor self image and nearly 5 stone of extra weight. I ate 1200 NET calories, but made sure all that was good food, such as vegetables, fruit, chicken, etc - mostly all LOW GI. Not only is it healthier than processed foods, but it's cheaper and gives you no end of energy and does wonders for your body :D If you've got any questions at all, just send me a question here on on my diary (link below) or if it's personal in a mail - that's why I'm here :) Good luck, you can do this! xx
 
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Wow, congratulations Lucy, what a great achievement!

You just gave me a boost at a much needed time. I am taking a leaf out of your book!!

Thank you so much :D All the best on your way to to find a happy weight - I'll sub your diary and keep an eye it for you incase I can offer any wisdom I've picked up! xx
 
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. You are inspirational. Well done you and ENJOY getting to know the new you!!

Bumble
x
 
Well done, you've come so far and I'm really pleased that you have now achieved your goal (albeit 1 lb).

I had tears in my eyes reading your story, your post is truly inspirational and it was so lovely to read about your journey to success.

I personally think it should be made a stickie, as it will provide so much inspiration for those who are just beginning their journey.
 
That really is inspirational :) You should be so proud of yourself!

I totally relate. From pictures from as young as like 3 you can see I am overweight. Always have been. It's so hard to imagine myself being a normal weight. And it is stories like you that keep me thinking it is possible :)
 
Hi Lucy, you've done really well and its been helpful to read this as someone new to CC. You have such a practical outlook to it all, that its not all plain sailing, but you've shown it can be done. Well done!
 
Lucy, you have done fantastic!!! Hope you get your final lb off soon, you really deserve it!!
Hopefully I will see you in maintenance real soon, (well I will if I pull my finger out!)
 
Wow Lucy. What an inspiration you are!!!

I only have about a stone or less to lose, I really feel I cannot do it so thought about counting cals.
I Know weekends will be a struggle for me not because of drink, but for my usual take away with my hubby!

Can I ask you, did you have all your 1,200 cals on a daily basis or did you save for the weekend in order to have a meal or a treat?

Your story is so inspirational, you should be in a magazine!!!

Well done Lucy. Xx
 
Thank you for that :) Your such a lovely person, you really deserve to feel how you do and get the best from life xxx
 
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. You are inspirational. Well done you and ENJOY getting to know the new you!!

Bumble
x

Thank you very much Bumble, you're diary is great and you're definitely going to do this! I'm going to be sticking around here for a long time so Im going to be checking on that diary of yours with eager eyes! xx
 
Well done, you've come so far and I'm really pleased that you have now achieved your goal (albeit 1 lb).

I had tears in my eyes reading your story, your post is truly inspirational and it was so lovely to read about your journey to success.

I personally think it should be made a stickie, as it will provide so much inspiration for those who are just beginning their journey.

Tol, you're a sweetheart. What a lovely thing to say. I honestly wouldn't of been able to of done it with such a spring in my step without you guys. You guys kept me sane that there was other people with the same goals as me and gave me even more motivation to do what I had to do, and I can't thank you all enough for that xx
 
That really is inspirational :) You should be so proud of yourself!

I totally relate. From pictures from as young as like 3 you can see I am overweight. Always have been. It's so hard to imagine myself being a normal weight. And it is stories like you that keep me thinking it is possible :)

Bostik, it is possible. I used to your average fat girl who would get so sad sometimes looking in the mirror thinking "If only I was skinny", and I just got off my ass and did something about it. If someone like me can do it then so can you! You're in the same boat as me :) I've never, ever been slim so this is why I think it's even more of a culture shock for people like us to lose weight - because we've always been (let's face it) held back by our weight and being 'normal' is something that we've never experienced! xx
 
Hi Lucy, you've done really well and its been helpful to read this as someone new to CC. You have such a practical outlook to it all, that its not all plain sailing, but you've shown it can be done. Well done!

Thanks Funky. I read you're diary and I know you're new but you're going to be right at home here :) We'll all make sure you get to where you want to be. As cheesy as it sounds, in minimins it's like you're not on your own losing weight - you've got a little mini family supporting you too and cheering your name at the finish line :D
 
Lucy, you have done fantastic!!! Hope you get your final lb off soon, you really deserve it!!
Hopefully I will see you in maintenance real soon, (well I will if I pull my finger out!)

Thanks Shazz, I remember when I first joined minimins you were the first person I spoke to - so you were in a way the reason why I wasn't scared off and decided to stay! And hell yeah, see you in maintenance girllfreiiennndd :D *high fives* xx
 
I really agree with you about this site. Having each other for support is great. Even if it is to remind you to live a little sometimes cos I think we can be a little harsh on ourselves too.

And Shazzabir, you're gonna get the last teeny tiny bit off very soon! And then you can both give us all tips on how to maintain for later :D
 
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