It’s the first week of January, and we all know what that means, right? Time to start thinking and wishing and writing about what we want to happen this year.
Most of the time, #1 on the list is weight loss.
I’ve shared my own weird weight loss journey, but I’ll recap briefly.
- Was a skinny little chicken legs growing up.
- Gradually put on weight.
- Had 2 kids.
- Decided to lose weight before our big 10th anniversary cruise.
- Weight loss resulted in surprise pregnancy #3.
- And then finally, my weight loss reattempt last Spring.
I shared in June my beginning weight loss success of 12 lbs and even featured a few fabulous people who had GREAT stories and before and afters.
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I still repeat Steven’s {who lost a whopping 100 lbs} advice… Basically,it’s much more important what you eat than how much you exercise. Sorry, but 9 times out of 10 you are not going to lose weight by only exercising and not watching your calorie intake. |
It’s so easy to count your calories with loseit.com. I’ve heard so many success stories!! {Amy, Carla, Rachel} Lose It says, “96% of users who use it for 4 weeks lose weight!” It won’t work, though, if you don’t stick with it.
Yes, it’s annoying to enter every solitary thing that passes your lips. Yes, it’s annoying to have to count pretzels and google the calorie count of pickles {they are super low cal, btw}, but that is the point. There were times that I refrained from eating something because I just didn’t want to have to go to the trouble of entering it in!
It’s important, especially in the beginning, to track your cals religiously. It’s even better if you can stick with the counting even longer, but I have to confess that I fell off the lose it wagon once I hit 15lbs and just tried to watch what I ate. As a result the weight loss then became quite snail paced.
It took another four months or so, but I eventually reached a HUGE milestone.
A milestone I had been shooting for when I first tried to lose weight for our cruise back in the day.
In October, I finally hit my original goal. I lost TWENTY POUNDS!!!
And for fun cuz I’m crazy like that, I even took a pic wearing the same ‘before’ clothes to really see the difference…
Isn’t that the most horrific before pic? Why do I look so angry?
After months of staring at unworn clothes, I finally decided it was definitely time to go through my closets and drawers and clean out my former sized clothing.
I have to admit I was actually very sad to part with a lot of them! They were some faves of mine… :(
One giant huge perk though of cleaning out clothes that don’t fit??
Having an empty closet that NEEDS to be filled… Ha!
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It’s the first week of the year. A BRAND NEW one… fresh and ready for all of us to achieve great new things. |
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Watching your calorie intake is NOT just a temporary thing… a momentary diet plan to shed some weight. Think of it as a new way of life. All of us have so many calories to spend {aka EAT} each day. Just don’t go over {too often} and watch the pounds fly off. |
Can’t wait to hear of YOUR success.
I needed this today. I'm trying to lose 30lbs of baby #2 weight. I will be focusing on the exercising because I currently do not do any but I eat pretty healthy (I am cutting out my one soda a day and cutting back coffee from two cups to one-but keeping the salads, sensible dinners & almost no snacking.) I haven't gained weight in almost 2 years (the baby is 18 months)but I haven't lost any in almost 6 months. So time to kick my own butt :) Hopefully a year from now I will be sharing my 'before' and 'afters' with my readers!
-Kristi
at Creative Kristi
That's amazing, Renee! Great job and have fun filling up your closet again! ;)
Well, don't forget your sister for those bags of clothes! Haha! Her weight loss journey is going much slower, but maybe she'll eventually fit in your "fat" clothes! ;)
Congrats on your hard work! Enjoy shopping for new clothes!
Just found your blog from Thrifty Decor Chick. Love the posts on decorating and organizing. Such a challenge for a family of five in a small space! Thanks for the inspiration!
I was looking at your before and after pics and thinking you must see yourself as I see myself…larger than reality. Then your pics wearing the same outfit showed the real difference. Congratulations! Be sure and post all the great deals you find filling your closet. :)
Thanks all! Debbie I really was shocked to see the pics since I do feel smaller but didn't really think it was THAT drastic. :)
Total awesomeness! I love how it makes such a difference. I cannot wait to do some before and after pics. I need to search for one that would be a good before picture. I am down 35 pounds now. Congratulations and enjoy buying some new clothes!
Congratulations, you look wonderful! You always have to have a less than perfect "before" picture, it makes the "after" look so much better. lol
You look great!! I am losing weight for a cruise at the end of this year… I can't wait to squeeze back into all my old clothing. =) Enjoying the hunt for new clothing!!
great job! and all those bags full of too big clothes means more shopping for you! woot.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing! So motivaing!
That's great Renee! So happy for you! I'm definitely on the "weight loss wagon!" Lucy was so worth it, but since I started her pregnancy weighing about 10 pounds more than my "normal", I have a lot to lose!
I need to take some scary before pictures…seriously don't want to but I know I need to for motivational purposes, lol!
Renee,
I love reading your blog. Today's post was just what I needed. Seeing your pictures has motivated me! I am about 10 pounds overweight right now and have been since my second baby, who is turning FOUR next month. I know it's not a lot, but it's enough to make a big difference in someone who is only 5'4". I just signed up for Loseit and am hoping to have success. I was wondering if you could give examples of the things you eat in a normal day that are low in calories and keep you satisfied. Thanks so much! you look great!
I'm really glad I read this post. I think it might have been just the encouragement I've been needing to watch what I eat. I exercise but haven't seem much difference in my weight and I'm sure it's because I randomly eat whatever I want. I'm starting to realize I can't do that anymore. So thank you for that little extra push! I'm going to loseit.com now :)
Wonderful story and thanks for posting. I have been wanting to try something different than weight watchers. Congrats on your weight loss.
Great post – you look fabulous!!! I'm so glad that Lose it worked for you, too. It's nearly magical, isn't it?
You look great! I can say this with all honesty though that I thought you were just as beautiful before (love that pregnant pic- you are absolutely adorable). However, so glad that you are taking better care of yourself. Keep it up! You are inspiring!
I think you look great! Weight loss definitely does NOT need to be on your 2012 goal list.
You look so good! Very inspiring, I use My Fitness Pal on my Iphone and it does help to have to type in every thing you eat, otherwise I'd just eat and eat not realizing how much!
Thanks for posting!
congrats on the weight loss-very inspiring! I can't wait to post my own before and after pics once I hit my goal :)
Well done on your weight loss! I have also managed to loose 3 stone over the past five months and can't believe how different I look and feel about myself! Think I might need to blog about it now!
I really loved reading this because it was not some PUSH for a weight loss program that you have to pay for….and it wasn't a story about a huge daunting amount of weight. I'm right there with you….skinny chicken legs all my life and now, after twins, not so much. I think you just showed me enough to really try to get these 12-15 pounds OFF!! Thank you!!
Way to go!! Thank you for the encouragement and inspiration!! Swinging by from the 36th Ave.
Great Job ! I hope you have fun filling up your closet again.
I would love for you to share your story at my new link party, Some Good Stuff: http://some-good-times.blogspot.com/2012/01/some-good-stuff-1.html
Megan
Congrats! That is an awesome way to start off the new year :) I need to loose about 40… I'm working on it ;)
You go girl!! Awesome job!!!
Don't you love it when you find THE "plan" that works? You look amazing!!! I have to go on a "plan" that works for me about every 7-8 years. This will be my biggest weight loss life style change…35 pounds has to go. BTW…love that your too big clothes are in a Cracker Barrel bag…or two! Enjoy the new you!
First of all, congratulations! You worked hard and you look great. Second, thank you for telling me what I needed to hear. I have been having trouble with my gall bladder and cannot tolerate eating any fat, so I thought that eating a high fiber and low fat diet would help the pounds fly off. Nope. Couldn't figure it out because I work out regularly. Lightbulb moment reading you post. Count calories. Gonna start in the morning. Hopefully I will be posting my my "after" soon too. Thank you so much.
This is so great. I am pregnant with my first and am worried about losing the weight after he arrives. I love to run but have horrible eating habits, but you are such an inspiration! I just need to remember that it takes time and dedication! I have never had weight issues before, so this is new to me! You look wonderful!!!
GO YOU!! That's great. Though I have to say, you weren't really fat to start out with, you do look great now though. Fabulous!!
Esther
Congratulations on your weight loss! I have lost 37 pounds over the past 14 months on Weight Watchers and agree that the secret is writing every little thing you eat down…too easy to kid yourself if you don't. Your post inspires me to keep going…10 more to go! You look GREAT!
Cheryl
Sigh…I would like to lose 15-20lbs, but haven't been able to do it because I haven't developed the willpower to track what I eat. I eat healthy foods…just too much. I exercise quite a bit, but like you said, it's not enough. You're story is inspiring, though, because I look a lot like you did in your before, and want to look like your after. Congrats on reaching your goal.
Found you thru Funky Junks SNS-thanks for sharing your journey! I'm also a homeschooling mom-would love to have you visit me…
http://www.rustyandredone.blogspot.com
Have a wonderful day!
Wow, you truly look fabulous! Documenting online, huh? hmmm… I'm going to check that out!
I had to share you with the Junk Loser group. This was incredibly inspiring!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=218188191596368&set=a.134037043344817.33702.134028173345704&type=1&theater
Donna
Great job; good for you! You look fantastic. Would you share this inspiring post here?
http://oneartmama.blogspot.com/2012/01/shine-on-fridays-9-and-some-fabulous.html
Good for you! Congrats and thanks for sharing this at the Open House Party.
xo,
Sherry
Big congratulations to you, Renee! You look fabulous, girl! I just started my weight loss journey last month. Got 20 pounds I want to lose by March 31. I've picked up running again which I'm loving and log in 1/2 hour workouts 5 days/week. So far….I'm not any lighter. So I found it very interesting about what you said about food. Did you stop eating any type of food…or cut back on some type…? Or did you just eat less of everything? Love to have any kind of help you could give me! Thanks!!!
xoxo laurie
Good for you!!! Coming over from Funky Junk. You even look younger! Going to poke around your site…we have a family of five in a small house too.
Shannon
http://www.akadesign.ca
Oh, goodness and we homeschool too!!!
:)
Shannon
Girl – you look AMAZING!
Congratulations – I am crazy about the dilligence it takes to be healthy and love this post!
Thanks for sharing this. I think I read one time that weight loss is 80% diet & 20% exercise. Your pics are definitely inspiring – You look great!! And I'm sure you feel amazing too. Thanks for linking to the calorie counting website. I've been looking for one.
Congrats!!! I am constantly battling the buldge! lol, but attempt to keep it off with running and healthy eating!
I started a "healthy living" category on my linky party and would LOVE it if you'ld link this up!!!
I think people who decide to be healthy (like you) are such an inspiration!
http://www.blah2beautiful.blogspot.com/2012/01/tell-it-to-me-tuesday-linky-party-2.html
–Katie
@Creatively Living
Great job! You look awesome! I'm on a weight loss kick to lose the rest of this baby weight! ugh. What an inspiration you are!
Melody
ChattyChics.com
PS Please come share this with my readers tomorrow. You could win a $5 Starbucks card!
Congrats! I'm like you – always been pretty small,but put on some extra weight with the babies. Your story is very inspiring!
This couldn't have come at a more perfect time. I am not HUGE but I definately carry 20 pounds more than I should. A few years ago I suuccessfully lost weight with the South beach diet but let's face it I didn't have nearly the amount of responsibilties back then as I do now (felt like I had more time back then to put into working out and preparing health meals) Every week I keep saying I have enough and then I get busy or what not and another week goes by. Your story is so inspiring & just may be the kick in the butt that I need!
@Jennifer, In the beginning it helped me to buy a lot of those 100 calorie snacks since when the snack was done I was done. :) Lots of fruit and veggies {with low fat dip}. I also snacked on 90 calorie granola bars, pretzels, and Orville Redenbacher 100 cal popcorn. One big tip is to not ever DRINK your calories!! :) Good luck!
Thank you for linking your encouraging story!!!
–Katie
@Creatively Living
Love reading posts like this. And I agree, what you eat is 90% of the battle. I'm training for a 5K right now and need to focus on the food more!
Congrats! You look great and I bet you feel great too :) Lucky girl with an empty closet and a reason to shop! Thanks for sharing.
Awesome! I am working on losing my baby weight as we speak. Got a lot more work to do, but 20 down!
Great job!!