However since we do not, I am going to cheat by calling this submit “My Weight Loss Journey” as a substitute of journey. I initially needed to share some recommendation and suggestions for reducing weight and preserving it off, however I made a decision to begin by sharing my experiences first. I’ve determined to place in my precise weights in the place I keep in mind them within the hopes that some will discover it useful or motivating. I am 5’5 and in response to the BMI desk (not one of the best measure of health, I do know), my high weight must be 150. In order that’s been my objective for years.
After my first child in 1999, the being pregnant weight got here off fairly quick with out a lot thought or effort on my half.
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| Not one of the best image of both of us, however no matter |
I took it with no consideration that might be the case sooner or later, however sadly, after my second child and a bout of post-partum melancholy, I appeared to realize a bit of extra with every being pregnant that would not come off. I do not achieve a ton of weight with being pregnant itself sometimes, however it would not soften off like I want it will afterwards.
After my third youngster born in three years, I used to be decided that I used to be going to shed pounds. So I did the whole lot I assumed I wanted to. I joined an aerobics group. I walked for miles with three youngsters packed right into a double stroller. I did not monitor my consuming, however I did attempt to hold the energy down. And . . . I stayed the very same weight regardless of how onerous I labored. It was very irritating.
In 2002, I came upon I had Hashimoto’s, a situation the place my immune system had begun attacking my thyroid. The thyroid is a tiny gland that produces hormones chargeable for metabolism, vitality ranges, and mind chemistry, amongst different issues. So it began to make sense that I struggled a lot.
Over the subsequent decade, I exercised repeatedly (cardio movies and strolling principally) and tried to be ok with having good health regardless of being obese. I used to be busy with a younger household and whereas I wanted I have been thinner, I by no means felt dangerous about my physique. I used to be in adequate form to maintain up with my household, and if I had a couple of additional kilos, so what? I figured I appeared like a mother who’d had a couple of pregnancies. I did attempt to shed pounds a number of occasions with restricted success.
After the twins have been born in 2004, I really ended that being pregnant decrease than I would been in years. I joined a web based health group the place we checked in with our exercises and progress (web boards have been the craze again then), and it stored me in fine condition, even when I did not lose something.
I gained ten kilos within the 4 months after I give up nursing the twins. I believe I would gotten into the behavior of with the ability to snack on no matter I appreciated whereas nursing. I most likely would have fearful extra, however after 4 months of not nursing, I used to be pregnant once more. Eliza, our sixth, arrived in October of 2006.
For the subsequent few years, my weight fluctuated up and down with extra pregnancies. I would lose 5 kilos right here and there, however nothing constant. Concord arrived in 2008.
Working a Mile
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| June 2009 |
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| October 2009, every week earlier than my first 5K |
Come January of 2011, I used to be decided to lastly get in form and shed pounds, no matter it took. I made a decision to present myself a few months to attempt it alone after which if I did not have success, I might join Weight Watchers.
Effectively, regardless of my greatest efforts, I gained weight within the subsequent few months. However I hated the considered the expense of Weight Watchers and I put it off.
Weight Watchers & My First Half Marathon
In first weeks of March, we went to California. It was once we bought residence and I weighed myself and noticed the pictures from that journey that I made a decision it was time to do no matter it took.
I signed up for a half marathon and Weight Watchers. Each of them scared me to loss of life.
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| My “Earlier than” Image — weighing in at about 215 lbs! |
I used to be extremely motivated on Weight Watchers. For one factor, I hate losing cash so I had to verify I bought all the worth out of this system I may. It additionally helped me understand tips on how to actually consider my consuming and meals selections. I used to be amazed at what number of factors sure “wholesome” objects have been, and I bought into the behavior of consuming extra vegatables and fruits. I felt hungry rather a lot, however I used to be so motivated I did not care — simply extra loss on the dimensions for the subsequent week. On the time, this system concerned a every day level allotment for meals, plus weekly flex factors to make use of nonetheless you appreciated — on one massive indulgent meal or a couple of snacks at a time. You would additionally earn additional exercise factors for train, and I made it some extent to not use all of the exercise factors I earned.
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| Early April, Down 10 lbs |
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| In Chicago with Joey and Katie. |
After 10 weeks, I would misplaced 28 lbs. It felt superior. I used to be lastly making constant progress.
I misplaced one other 7 lbs (35 lbs whole!) and ran that half marathon. It felt superior.
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| Utah Valley Half Marathon, 2011. Down 35 lbs. |
After which, I had a take a break from the burden loss due to being pregnant. I did not cease working, although, and ran my first (and to this point solely) marathon later that yr. I nonetheless weighed 30 lbs greater than the BMI desk mentioned I ought to, however I used to be content material with my progress.
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| My “After Image” — August 2011, Mesa Falls Marathon. |
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| Nearing the end line. |
Since 2011, I’ve run no less than one half marathon yearly, and often a number of of them. Finally, I am going to do one other full marathon, however I’ve determined halfs are about proper for me. The coaching concerned takes a lot much less time, the restoration is best and it simply matches in my life higher.
Setbacks
I’ve had some ups and down with weight reduction over the past couple of years. I gained some weight with Cami’s being pregnant, clearly, however I joined weight watchers once more after she was born, ran a half marathon when she was 4 months previous, and bought inside ten kilos of my weight objective.
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| Summer time 2012. 160! |
After which, my well being took a horrible flip, I needed to take some medicine briefly whereas they tried to get my thyroid again in stability, and I ended up gaining thirty kilos in two months. Critically discouraging.
Progress in Spurts
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| January 2013. So pissed off to be needing to lose 40 lbs AGAIN! |
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| Thanksgiving Level Half Marathon, April 2013. All the way down to about 180 once more. |
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| Utah Valley Half Marathon, June 2012 |
I believe by this level, my physique had tailored to working so it did not burn as many energy, plus my physique is de facto, actually good at growing my starvation after I do run. That summer season, I discovered that with some care, I may belief my physique to assist me keep the identical weight, however that I actually wanted to work onerous if I needed to lose.
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| Working the Wasatch Again Ragnar, June 2013 |
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| Ragnar! |
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| Summer time 2013, round 175ish, 25 lbs to objective weight |
“Eight weeks to Hawaii” Problem
In any case, with the additional focus, I used to be in a position to pull off a ten lb weight reduction simply earlier than Hawaii. However even higher than that, I’ve stored up the six-day-a-week train schedule for over a yr now. I dropped P90X after Christmas, however I’ve completed an excellent number of other forms of train this yr along with working.
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| Kauai, December 2014. About 170 lbs, 20 lbs from objective weight. |
Making little bits of progress & staying match
After all, I gained a bit in Hawaii and began the yr round 175. I have been working in the direction of my eventual objective of 150 lbs all yr lengthy, with various ranges of success and focus. I’ve discovered that whereas up to now, I may assault weight reduction with focus and energy and lose effectively, the nearer I get to my objective weight, the tougher my physique fights me for the kilos.
I misplaced ten kilos and ran a 10K in March.
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| Rex Lee 10K in March, about 17 lbs from objective weight |
Then I ran a half marathon in Could.
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| Do not let that smile idiot you. I hated this run — I would been sick all week and will hardly sleep for congestion. I nearly determined to bag the race, however, you already know, all that coaching . . . I completed with a PR of two:15:30 (10:20 ave. tempo), however swore off halfs for the remainder of the yr. |
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| Visiting the zoo in June |
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| Proper earlier than the Moab Journey 5K. 156 kilos, down nearly 60 lbs. from my heaviest. |
I bought fairly burned out on counting energy and monitoring throughout that final problem and I advised my husband I’ll take a break for some time. It has been good to attempt to eat to my starvation cues somewhat than to my calorie allotment, although I confess I am up a couple of kilos after Thanksgiving. However I am again on monitor with good consuming this week and I am trying ahead to a different wholesome yr the place I lastly get to my objective after which work on sustaining it.
Subsequent week, I am going to submit among the issues I’ve discovered over the previous few years, together with some recommendation for individuals who try to shed pounds. I hope that is useful and motivating.
