Goal! Have you reached your goal? Share your success story and celebrate your victory!

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Old 04-05-2010, 01:50 PM   #1  
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As I turned 49 last year, I took a good hard look at myself. After the birth of my last child 15 years earlier, I had slowly put on weight until I had packed on an excess 70 pounds. I hated going to the beach or clothes shopping, got winded while hiking, and barely recognized myself in the mirror anymore. My doctor sat me down and read me the riot act after my blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels had reached concerning levels at my last physical. She gave me a few months to take off weight, and then she'd reassess about needing medication.

I'd dropped 20-30 pounds in the past, but had always put it right back on. This time, I was determined to totally change how I shopped, cooked, and thought about food and exercise. I love to cook, so had to find ways to creatively still enjoy cooking and eating or I knew I'd be miserable and doomed to failure. I also found an exercise routine I could stick to, and between a new treadmill, Netflix, and my son's castoff weights, I began forcing myself to exercise for 40 minutes a day after coming home from work in the late afternoon.

The weight began coming off, and I began to learn how to practice portion control, enjoy half an entree when going out to eat, make wiser choices when cooking and eating. I eat loads of vegetables, lean protein, fruit and am very careful about the type of carbs and fats I eat. My tastes changed, to the point where I don't miss the salt and fat any more. I began to drop sizes, from a 16, then 14, then 12... eventually down to a 4/6. From 195 to 115, give or take 2 pounds. Thank goodness for a good thrift store nearby. Sure, some areas of my body are looking a bit like a National Geographic photo, but I figure it's a fair price to pay. I have energy to chase after my students on the playground, to hike and kayak, and no longer see myself as too heavy to enjoy outdoor activities. Clothes shopping is fun again. My doctor is happy, and all my levels are well in the normal range. My husband has also lost 15 pounds from our healthier meals and increased exercise.

I really think that the difference for me this time was the lightbulb moment I had after lurking on these boards for a few months, and seeing that the successful "losers" were those who didn't see this as a "diet" but as a total lifestyle change--not something to stick to for a few months, but forever. My health and happiness became more important to me than a plateful of pasta with creamy sauce. I can have that smaller plate of pasta every now and then, but it's just as satisfying when the everyday one is crammed with fresh vegetables, some fiber-rich carbs, and moderate amounts of healthy proteins and fats. As long as I'm back on the treadmill in the morning.

So, thanks to all you Chicks who post with your triumphs and disappointments; fighting the good fight. I didn't post much, but learned from all of you. Best of luck in your own journeys!
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Last edited by Teachyrchildren; 04-05-2010 at 02:50 PM.
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Old 04-05-2010, 03:50 PM   #2  
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Congrats! You look wonderful and have accomplished so much!
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Old 04-06-2010, 08:31 AM   #3  
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Congrats! You look AMAZING!!
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Old 04-06-2010, 01:20 PM   #4  
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Nice one! I have to admit, it does get harder as you age, and seeing that you managed to meet your goal at aged 50, gives me hope ^^ Thanks
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Old 04-08-2010, 09:50 PM   #5  
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Congratulations! What a great gift you've given yourself and your loved ones (even hubby lost weight - Excellent!).

Good job!
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Old 04-14-2010, 03:47 PM   #6  
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Congratulations! You have done amazing!
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Old 04-14-2010, 07:34 PM   #7  
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Great JOB!!!!
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Old 04-14-2010, 08:05 PM   #8  
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Wow.... congratulations! All your hard work paid off and you look fabulous.

Thank you so much for sharing here.
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Old 04-16-2010, 05:08 AM   #9  
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You look great!!! Such a great accomplishment.
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Old 04-16-2010, 03:09 PM   #10  
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Teachyrchildren, what a wonderful story. Congratulations!

Just curious - do you count calories? I too do much better eating lots of veg, fruit and lean protein. I can get away with not counting low starch veg, and fresh fruits (got that from the new Mayo Clinic Diet book), but I do need portion control for the proteins and carbs and of course fats.

What a great success story.
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Old 04-20-2010, 11:50 AM   #11  
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Congratulations on the loss! Your pictures look awesome!
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Old 05-09-2010, 02:40 PM   #12  
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WTG. Congrats.
You are an inspiration.
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Old 05-17-2010, 02:58 PM   #13  
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Thanks for sharing and congrats!
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Old 06-07-2010, 10:05 AM   #14  
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Congrats!!
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Old 06-10-2010, 03:09 PM   #15  
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Thanks, everyone!

Spirit, I do count calories. I started out formally tracking everything with Fitday, but now I just mentally tally my meals and snacks to see if I can sneak in a glass of wine or a fruit smoothie at the end of the day.

It's interesting to hear many people's reactions as they see I am still careful about my eating and exercise routines, as if now that I've lost the weight I don't have to keep up with the healthy habits. "You're not trying to lose any more weight, I hope!" Nope, just trying to keep it off, thanks! *eyeroll*
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