| cortcase
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This coming Thursday will mark one year straight on SB for me.
My high weight was 229 in 2005. I first started SB in January 2006, a few months before my wedding, at 219. In three months, I got down to 180, but little did I know then that I wasn't doing it "right." I didn't pay attention to the fat content in my beef, I ate a lot of the SB-branded products, etc. I didn't really properly ration out my fruits and grains, etc.
After my wedding, I derailed. I ate junk all summer. At first, it didn't seem to make too much of an impact on the scale, but I felt puffy and gross. By the time September rolled around, I had gained 12 lbs and was back up to 192.
On Sept. 27, after several false starts, I recommitted. I've been living SB ever since, and plan to do so for the rest of my life. That's not to say I don't treat myself, but I try to limit it to very special occasions. I've learned that it's just too easy to set myself off by eating junk. "Just a little" isn't really in my vocabulary. The holidays were hard last year; I made a lot of cookies for other people and for parties and found myself snacking on the dough and sneaking cookies here and there. But I feel a lot stronger now, so I'm confident I will do better this year.
I feel really proud when I look back at how I was before and how I am now:
- In 2005, I was 229; now I'm around 156. My doctor says normal weight for my height (5'9") is between 145 and 165. My BMI is now in the normal range.
- In 2005, I was straining the limits of a size 20; now, I wear a size 10 in pants and around an 8 in dresses. A few weeks ago, I bought a halter dress from the juniors' section at Kohl's — and it was a juniors' medium. I love shopping now because, goofy as it sounds, I love looking in the mirror! I used to cry in the fitting rooms because I was so depressed at how I looked. And now I can always find things in my size, instead of digging through all the cute clothes to find the dumpy huge clothes in the back of the rack.
- I never exercised then, and huffed and puffed climbing stairs. If I jogged for even a second, I was winded. Now, I exercise six days a week, jogging on the treadmill, riding a stationary bike, using the elliptical machine, and doing aerobics with weight intervals. I even take an aerobics class on Saturdays that I love. I would have never done this willingly before.
- I enjoy healthy foods, and almost gag at the sight of a lot of processed/fast foods.
- I no longer feel helpless. I used to look in the mirror and feel so depressed. I felt sluggish and disgusting. But I hated exercise and I liked to eat. My family is Italian, and for us, food always equaled love. (Eat this! Eat that! Have some more!) So I just told myself I would always be fat. My self-esteem was non-existent. And what did I do to soothe my feelings of inadequacy? Eat, of course! (A very rational solution if there ever was one. ;))
I feel like my life has done a 180 since I started SB. I feel good about myself. I'm getting in shape. My stress levels have decreased and I just FEEL healthier. I keep myself accountable by tracking my food, exercise and weight daily. I could tell you exactly what I ate and what my workout was and what my morning weigh in was for the entire year.
Of course, I can't say that I haven't been frustrated. This time around, it's been a lot slower. It's taken me six months just to lose 10 lbs. I've been playing with the same 2 lbs for a month and a half. I admit: I'm obsessed. Losing weight and getting in shape is my number one priority. Maybe that's a good thing...maybe it's not. I don't know. All I know is that I'm a very goal-oriented, so there's NO WAY I'm not going to see that 145 on the scale, no matter how long it takes.
I guess the point of posting this was to let all of the newbies know that you can achieve your goals. But you have to make the decision to commit; no one can do it for you, and if you're not ready to put your whole heart into it, you're not likely to succeed. I know, because I clearly wasn't ready to commit my first time around, and I crashed and burned. But I learned that losing weight and getting healthy is far more addictive than any food I could ever put in my mouth.
Writing this and looking back on the last year also helps motivate me as I work toward losing those last few pounds!
Thanks for reading my dissertation here! ;) |
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Sat Sep 22, 2007 5:32 pm |
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| CAC
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| Major congratulations, cortcase, you have a fabulous attitude and the progress to show for it! Great job! |
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Sat Sep 22, 2007 10:48 pm |
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| RedRox
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Awesome!! I heart year long beachiversarys!! It's really all about having the desire to go through the process, no matter what, of making this a lifestyle change and all the things we learn along the way. It ends up being about soooo much more than a "diet". Just takes awhile to figure that out along the way!
Keep it up!! The first of many happy beachiversarys!!! |
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Sun Sep 23, 2007 1:25 am |
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| cortcase
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Thanks, guys!
You know, one thing I forgot to say in my novel of a post, was...I KNOW I could not have done this without these boards. Everyone here has kept me motivated, accountable, and inspired. Especially RedRox, LuvstoRun, Kimboroni...you guys have answered so many questions for me and helped me learn how to do this plan the way it was meant to be. Thank you for all of your help over the last year!
Edited to add: I just reread that and it sounds like an Academy Awards speech! LOL |
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Sun Sep 23, 2007 2:08 am |
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| luvs_torun
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cortcase wrote:
Edited to add: I just reread that and it sounds like an Academy Awards speech! LOL
lol.....Well I applaud you cort!!
Even though you've had "bumps" in your road.... you never gave up!
Look how far you've come.
Anyone who hasn't yet, should check out corts "before and afters".....
they are very inspiring.
Congrats on your "beachiversary" :D |
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Sun Sep 23, 2007 3:02 am |
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| ladybugnessa
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| You have done SO well you should be very very proud. |
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Sun Sep 23, 2007 3:05 am |
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| Lynt
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| You've done an amazing job! Kudos! |
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Sun Sep 23, 2007 4:27 am |
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| littlah
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| It's inspiring! Congrats! I get motivated every time I read a success story! Thank You! :D |
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Mon Sep 24, 2007 2:46 pm |
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| whirled peas
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THIS is exactly what everyone needs to read in this forum. There are so many benefits to eating this way (not only weight loss).
Congratulations Cort. I remember when you came back to the boards because your avatar was that beautiful black and white photo of you as a bride.
Keep it up and keep contributing here!! |
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Mon Sep 24, 2007 4:05 pm |
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| rhales199
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I love Beachiversaries!!
Awesome job, Cort!!
I too struggled through the holidays food wise. The hardest part for me was people bringing me and my hubby 4 or more cookies (one of my friends brought us a gallon bag of cookies). I did pass along stuff to other friends, but I need to do better at it.
I think a lot of us struggle through our first holiday season. What matters is that we keep trying!
Here's to a more successful holiday season (diet wise, that is), and to many more successful holiday seasons, and many more Beachiversaries! |
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Mon Sep 24, 2007 6:16 pm |
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| AleciaBneedstobefreed
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| I love your little blog of pictures. It shows how much this really means to you and is inspiring to all. Congrats! |
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Mon Oct 01, 2007 1:42 am |
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| cortcase
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| Thanks! :-D |
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Mon Oct 01, 2007 11:51 pm |
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| Sophie08
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| Wow! You are such an inspiration! Congrats and thanks for sharing! :D |
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Wed Oct 03, 2007 12:53 pm |
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