A lot of comments lately have been about why I’m not more aggressive with trying to get the weight off. After all, this is a weight loss blog, I’ve committed myself to losing the weight, and I really want/need to do so. I think some people get frustrated with my lackadaisical pace because they want to lose the weight super fast a la Biggest Loser style. I don’t put any time limits on myself, I don’t force myself to lose a certain number of pounds by a certain time. I don’t try to lose weight at a fast speed.
Well, at one point in time so did I. When I first lost weight years ago I lost it quickly. I worked out almost every day, I ate salads all the time (even though at that point I hated salad… oh how times have changed), and I attacked my weight problem with all that I had. It’s a good thing that I did because I was in a very dangerous place with allowing myself to be so heavy (around 260 but not completely sure of my highest weight). When I lost weight quickly I was thrilled and even happier that I maintain a substantial loss (not my goal weight) for a few years.Eventually instead of pushing through and continuing to aggressively lose weight I gained almost all of it back.
But what I learned from that first go around where all I cared about was weight loss was that for me being healthy is about more than just losing weight. It’s about learning why I gained so much weight in the first place (dealing with the issue of depression) and what unhealthy behaviors I had developed over my life and how to change them (beating emotional and binge eating). I’m pretty sure at this point in my life I don’t need anyone to tell me how to lose weight. I know how it works when you aggressively attack the issue with diet and exercise. But for me? I’m okay with going slower, being less aggressive, and working on the mental stuff that is what caused me to live a very, very unhealthy lifestyle to begin with.
I feel much wiser and healthier than I was at the same weight several years ago. I know that this time I won’t be gaining any substantial amount of weight back because I’ve worked through a lot of my issues and I’ve set myself on the right path of healthy living. I’m not perfect with it, I’m not super aggressive, but what I’m doing is working for me.
Well, I think it’s working. Let’s see what the scale say.
WEIGH IN
Current Weight: 211.4 lbs
Previous Weight: 212.4 lbs
Weight loss: – 1.0 lbs
Weight loss Total: – 39.6 lbs
Starting Weight: 251
THOUGHTS
Down a pound this week. Back to almost where I was before. I’m pretty sure not eating sugar during the week is a really good thing for me. Sugar messes with my brain and throws off my eating habits, so Kepa and I decided to only eat it on weekends. I kind of like the set up of no sugar on weekdays.
It’s been a pretty emotional week for me. I got upset over comments, I’ve been sick, I’ve missed Kepa, my roomie has been down. All of it combined could be enough to set me off into a bout of emotional/stress eating. But it wasn’t. I’m not saying I’ve beaten emotional eating (not by any means), but I’m definitely not turning to it any more for comfort. I’m letting myself feel my emotions (which sometimes suck). See what I was talking about earlier?
The month of June is going to be really freaking awesome. Operation Sexification is going to be the goal and I’m going to start going back to Zumba and kickboxing classes. I’m super excited about that because I’ve completely missed those two things over the last few months. I was thinking about making June a no scale month but I haven’t quite decided. The numbers don’t matter quite as much as all the other stuff I’m going to accomplish, plus I kind of want to make the end result a surprise for Kepa and everyone I meet in July. Thoughts?
So that’s all there is for me. I’m signing up for the gym tomorrow even if I’ve still got my cold (probably will). I’m excited about that and about going to Astoria next weekend for a couple special events. Life is good, and fun, and happy. ;)
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{ 34 comments }
From someone who’s done it both ways I’m so proud of you for admitting this. I did the low fat everything salad all the time and exercising my heart out thing when I lost the majority of the weight but I got tired of it because I couldn’t’ sustain it. Now that I’m just living my life to be healthy it is staying off.
Good for you for doing it your way!
What’s rocking Mary is it’s all about you. You have found an approach that’s tailor made for you by you. Congrats and thanks for shaaring.
I enjoy reading your blog because it isn’t just about weight loss. There’s so much more here and I always learn something or at least connect with what you are saying. So, keep doing what’s good for you, because in the end that’s all that matters. :)
Operation Sexification will be awesome this month! If you feel comfortable with ditching the scale, go for it. And have fun with your classes!
Rock it out girl! :)
Thanks Brooke. I’m glad that people can connect with what I’m writing about. It’s nice to share my life and know that people like reading about it.
Operation Sexification is going to dominate in June. It’s going to be so freaking awesome.
I love the idea of a surprise weigh in! And I love how realistic and relatable your blog is, that’s why I read! But I guess I told you that already ;-)
.-= Lauren @ Eater not a runner´s last blog ..Boston’s Run to Remember Half Marathon Recap =-.
I think that each of us has to find out what works for us!
Having a loss when it’s been such a stressful week for you is awesome :) Just keep on being you.
.-= suzanne´s last blog ..Another day another walk :) =-.
Mary – I just wanted to tell you that I think you are doing such a good job. Not everyone is on the biggest loser schedule, and the reality is, you are far more likely to make your healthy living a habit if you take it slow. It’s freaking boring to diet all the time, for years on end, and I like your blog because its more about your life and your relationship with your food/body even though it is technically a weight loss blog. I think its lame that people would even bother you about whether you are aggressively or not aggressively applying yourself to your weigh loss, if thats what they are looking for, there are lots of blogs out there that will give it to them ;) Don’t change! We like you this way!
.-= marzipan´s last blog ..REAL Marriage Advice: Part TWO =-.
Thanks Mara! :) You’re right that this blog is about my relationship with food and my body too. I forget that sometimes, but I love that about it. I never really set out to write and/or think about all these things but I really love that I do.
I totally agree with Brooke. Some people may have a problem that this site isn’t all about your weight loss; but I think it’s great! You’re a whole person, not justa weight-loss blogger.
Sugar-free weekdays are a great.
And, on a personal note, I’m afraid that I may be in the position you were the first time ’round. I’m just trying to figure out how to make the transition. Tips?
.-= beej´s last blog ..We’ll miss you, Pistachio! =-.
Where are you in the progression exactly? I had to gain almost all the weight back before I realized I hadn’t fixed anything except my clothes size. A lot, a lot, a lot of it was mental for me so the second time around in addition to losing the weight I started working on figuring out why I gained it and what caused the bad behaviors. Blogging helped a lot with that, having a place where I could think through issues and figure stuff out. I’m obviously still doing that, but I’ve learned a whole lot. ;) If you email me (amerrylife @ gmail) we can talk about stuff and maybe I can give you some tips and stuff. Please please don’t be like me and gain weight back after losing it!
LOVE the idea of a surprise:)
Okay I think I do too. Surprise it is. June will be weigh in free!
I think you have the right approach. Slow and steady and all the other cliche remarks I could throw in here. I’ve done this whole weight loss thing about 4 times now. The first few times I lost upwards of 60 lbs. I gained it all back…and more. And now? By the time I reach my goal weight, I will have lost 175 lbs. That’s a whole freakin’ person! But this time? I’m doing it slowly, I’m LEARNING life habits and breaking the bad ones.
Well done for sticking to what works for YOU!
.-= Mad Woman´s last blog ..Blah =-.
Hehe. I want to stop it at the second time so I don’t have to redo this so many times. It’s way too hard and way too much trouble to do it over and over again. ;)
Screw everyone else. Really. This is your blog, your space to work through everything that you need to. Your journey means you can go at your pace. Simple!
I went to a Zumba class for the first time in a couple of years yesterday. Not feeling quite sexy yet, but maybe after a few more times :) Hope you have fun with that and kickboxing.
I actually watched your zumba video blog. I didn’t comment but I was really proud of you! You will start to feel sexy with it soon. It’s such a fun sexy class. I can’t wait to get back in it. Totally what operation sexification needs. ;)
It is all about finding what works for you Mary.. and yes, if you have a lot of “baggage” to deal with too, that is part of the process. You seem to like Zumba & kickboxing so go for that. Find things that really make you want to go & if it changes, you can change wiht it!
It is funny… I have been on the same wavelength of bloggers in that my posts (which some I do in advance) match up with what others are thinking, like you. I have a post scheduled later this coming week talking about me & what I have accepted about certain things….
Enjoy Mary!
.-= Jody – Fit at 52´s last blog ..Sunday Thoughts About Life =-.
Hehe. Baggage is more than just physical, obviously. I’m getting rid of it slowly though. It’s a nice process. Very freeing.
I can’t wait to read that post! :)
I just wanted to say I love this post. Your honesty and frankness are what draws me to your blog. I, too, am constantly learning more about myself and the reasons behind the actions. Looking forward to reading about your progress in June.
.-= Jenn´s last blog ..Fluffy Friday: Kettlebells and Catsuits =-.
yep yep echoing the I LOVE YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE SO FLIPPING REAL, Mary.
and honest.
and fitness isnt about fitting in :)
I did “so little carla! you need to do way more!!” when i was trying to lose weight BUT its what I still do today and can fit into my life with a family and a fulltimejob and blogging.
they called it too passive.
I called it setting myself up for success.
.-= Miz´s last blog ..MizFit Memorial Day confession (video post) =-.
I’m the same way- I like going SLOWLY so that the weight will STAY off. But it’s frustrating at the same time. Ah well, it’s the choice we make! And zumba sounds like so much fun.
.-= Sagan´s last blog ..Feeling like a fraud =-.
I totally see where you are coming from, Mary. And for me, you are an aggressive weight-loser. I can’t imagine why anyone would think differently. I see myself as an aggressive weight loser too, but somehow I’ve managed to lose and regain the same ten pounds for the past three months. Ugh. For me, it doesn’t have anything to do with fast or slow weight-loss. It’s just about taking it seriously.
.-= Alexia´s last blog ..fat acceptance. i do? =-.
I love the idea of “Operation Sexification” – can I join in on that? My hubby hid my scale a while ago, and I don’t get it back until the end of June. It is good for me to learn for it not to be about the number, but about how I feel.
.-= Morgan´s last blog ..Go read this =-.
You totally can do that! I’m going to ditch the scale for June and post more about changing how I feel and move and stuff like that. It’s going to be fun! Please join me. :)
Yeah, slow, steady and sexified sounds excellent. Liking your very clear self-awareness. I think that will carry you a long way towards your goal.
.-= Ten Pounds´s last blog ..The ten pounds thing =-.
Slow, steady, and sexified. LOVE that. Haha.
I just found your blog but I wanted to say I totally agree with all these comments – I think it’s great that you’re doing it slowly with health in mind, it’s exactly what I want to do so I can just really keep it all off :) thanks for sharing your story!!
Yeah- I would go with surprise!!
Good post… I do like the idea of doing what works for me- and NOT listening to everybody else’s bullshit!!
Now- I will just say, for me—— I am all about getting the weight off and not having to go through this again- or not having to draw it out. Kinda like pulling a band-aid off quick. I want to get it done. But, that is JUST me. Everyone should do what they think is right for THEM.
Thanks Mary!!!
.-= Rob Dyess´s last blog ..Don’t let your belly talk to you!!! =-.
I think your approach is great! Slow and steady wins the diet race. It has been proven time and time again. And all that counts is you are happy with your approach and life.
.-= WaistingTime´s last blog ..Blog Superpower =-.
Do what works for you! Glad it’s still slowly coming off even without you being so aggressive.
Congrats on losing a pound!
.-= Diana @ frontyardfoodie´s last blog ..Memorial Day Celebration at the Station =-.
What is astoria? Yay I am going to zumba soon myself.. In less than an hour. Last week we had a sub and I really did not enjoy it so I’m hoping the real girl is back. If that sub is there I may sneak out and just do regular gym..its not THAT rude..i saw another woman do that last week (guess I wasn’t the only one to hate the sub). I’m not an expert, or a weight loss person, but I think youre doing a great job, and that a relatively healthy and very happy lifestyle would be more important than the numbers on the scale. I agree that June should be a fun month!! (and im looking forward to reading about operation sexification..i could use some sexification as well maybe ill get some tips).
.-= merri´s last blog ..Snapshot: Easing into the week with some photos of fun =-.
astoria is a place in Oregon. :)
It’s not rude to leave a class if you don’t like it. You are paying for it.
You’ve gotta ignore the bad comments and do this your way. Who cares if you are thin and unhappy? The goal is to be healthy and happy. Screw having a time frame and those who are telling you to lose weight more quicky. Clearly they have no idea what they are talking about and YOU DO!!!
.-= The Binge Diary´s last blog ..Last Week’s Inspiring Posts =-.
Your article can be encourageous for the people facing this problem as a severe one for their health.U said that u don’t have any fixed target to achive but to lose weight at a regular pace.That’s good view point.In case of heavy weight loss many patients become weak & ill which is not desired.
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