6 months, (almost) 40 lbs gone
 

6 months, 40 lbs. It was actually a little over 40 lbs, but I had a bit of a backslide in April, but feel like I'm really getting back on track. So I'll round up. 40 pounds doesn’t sound incredibly impressive, there are people who have lost double that amount in the same time. But I’m pretty thrilled.

Mostly, that I’m working my plan after 6 months (meaning on plan, I didn’t find 3fc until about a month and a half into it). I’ve had my slips – April has been particularly tough for me for a lot of reasons. But I’m still here and working my way back down.

Just over a year ago, I was at Disneyland with my son (he was 4 at the time). We did a lot physically but even so, I was aware that it was a lot less than what I could have done if I hadn’t been that size. And we did stuff like ride the train a lot, which made him happy but was mostly because I needed a chance to sit down! While I was there, sitting on the train, I had this thought that I didn’t have to be one of those amazing people who loses 100 lbs in a year. (And I do consider them amazing!) But I could lose 25 lbs a year for the next 4 years, and I’d still be where I wanted to be and be living the life I wanted to live, for myself and my child.

It still took me another 6 months before I was ready. On November 2, 2009, I started. At first, I just focused on making better food choices. Then I pulled out the food scale and fired up my old Fitday account and started weighing and journaling my food. A few weeks later, I bought a Wii for my son and me and began to incorporate more regular physical activity.

And it hasn’t been that quickly, but the weight has been coming off (well, most of the time! lol!) And even when I’ve started to slip and head back in the wrong direction, I’m stopping myself and saying Not This Time. I’m not expecting perfection but I refuse to keep going backwards. Because this is less about the number on the scale and more about establishing healthy habits that I can sustain for the rest of my life.

And as for my original thought about 100 lbs in 4 years - well, it's a year later, and 40 lbs is gone. I don't know exactly what the scale will say in another 6 months, or in 6 months after that. But I know that I am committed to this way of life, and whether I'm at a final goal or not, I'll be doing the right things. As I posted in another thread, I'm changing my life - the weight loss is just coming along for the ride!

WTG PeanutsMom! Thanks for sharing yourself with us here at 3FC!!

What a great thought!

Congratulations on your accomplishments!

That's Great! Congratulations!

That's awesome! Good job with your healthier eating and increased activity...and the 40 lb weight loss!

You set a goal of 25lbs a year and did 40 in 6 months? Why shouldn't you be thrilled?? That's a fantastic accomplishment, you've outdone your expectations and then some keep it up!! :)

Don't discount yourself! That's awesome!

Thanks cathydoe, mingle, llmw1951, KatMarie, coondocks and lovemyboy!!

I wouldn't say that I set 25 lbs a year as a goal - it was more the concept that I could do this slowly and take as long as I needed to take, and still get there in the end. Once I've been actively working on this, I do aspire to get there a little bit more quickly, although still not on a specific timetable, as I've found those don't work that well for me.

(I am keeping my Summer Onederland Challenge banner though - I figure that if I get there any time this summer, even if not by June 21, I'll consider that a success! lol!)

PeanutsMom - 40 pounds in 6 months is really good! Congrats! And celebrate that! Yes there are people who lose it faster, but there are also people who lose it slower. I think you are doing great, you have such a great mind-set, that alone is something to celebrate :) Keep up the great work :)

-Aimee

WAY TO GO! I think 40 lbs in 6 months is great! When I started in Jan my goal has been 5 lbs a month. Which to most people is nothing but in 6 months my thought was i'd be 30 lbs lighter than I was when i started. Plus life is always going to throw you curve balls, if I have a bad day I know i won't give up because I can fix it the next couple. I'm slightly a head of my goals. I could only hope to lose that much in 6 months! Congrats!

Thanks SwimGirl and beachlover86!

I don't want to make it sound like I'm not happy with how far I've come, I think I'm just a little bit caught in the trap of assuming larger, faster losses are better. I do think any loss is good, and the greatest one is the one that stays off!

That is awesome! You made up your mind and you did it, and that's so inspiring for those of us who are struggling.
I'd love to hear what kind of workout you're doing on the WiiFit - I haven't really figured out what works - the hula hooping doesn't really burn calories for me. Definitely let me know..

40 lbs. is amazing! Good job! in another 6 months just think of where you could be.

PeanutsMom, 40 pounds is great and life changing! I have enjoyed your posts here and look forward to hearing about the next 40 pounds!

Congrats on six months, and saying goodbye to 40 lbs forever!

I'm proud to be a member of a group that has people like you to inspire me. To still be following this lifestyle in six months, a year, two years, ten years, is the ultimate goal for all of us, I think. You are showing that it is possible, and that even if there are a few speedbumps along the way to slow us down, we don't stop moving toward our goals of a healthy life.

Thank you!

thanks toomuchmoxie, mmiller2829, time2lose and cita!!

check out this thread re: Wii http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/40-s...-obsessed.html

At this point, I don't really use the Wii Fit for my exercise, although I still enjoy playing some of the games with my son. It was a good way for me to get back into regular activity, but overall, I think it's not challenging enough for me anymore. So I have a couple of different games I use on the Wii (I *love* the Golds Gym game) and I use those plus exercise videos I get from On Demand on cable, like Walk Away the Pounds and a Biggest Loser last chance workout with Jillian.

I also have an exercise bike but I don't use that as much as I should.

Congrats Peanuts! You have done an amazing job losing those 40 pounds. It is not about how fast we lose, just that we are losing. Keep up the great work!

PS. I love WATP and have almost every single one. Do you have a favorite? My two favorites are the 4 mile super challenge and the 3 mile weight loss walk where Mary Kay leads her own mile! Check 'em out if you haven't tried them yet.

Six months, half a year! That's a lot of time. I'm so proud of the accomplishments you have made. I consider six months to be a major milestone in my own journey. It's the half way point to the commitment I made to myself to give it one year. And I'm right behind you. ;)

Nothing wrong with slow and steady. You need to work at your pace for it to work! Congrats on the 40 lbs!!

Congratulations PeanutsMom!!!! Since we're close in height I know that the difference between the 260s and the 220s is really significant! 220s feels terrific!

Don't judge yourself on pace!!! I know I've done that to myself lots of times. I am in AWE of people who lose one hundred pounds or more in a year, but honestly, sometimes I'm even MORE in awe of the slow and steady people. Since I lost very fast in the beginning, I know it's EASY to keep on track when you are wearing a new size every two weeks..!!! But people who just keep trending downward over the course of one, two, three or four years-- I mean, that is just super-admirable and represents true ongoing lifestyle change.

I think you are doing fantastic! I like your attitude. Not focusing on quick weightloss, but the process and the lifestyle changes are the things that are going to stick with you forever. Even little things like playing Wii fit games with your son; they all add up and are going to benefit both of you in the long run.

BTW, I have lost just a little more than you - but in almost a year (well, about 10 months)! And I am ecstatic. I feel so much better, and that is what it is all about for me. Wellness, and feeling well. I felt like crap 48 pounds ago. Now I feel pretty good most of the time.

Keep it up chickie, you are on the right track. :hug:

Way to go!

Thanks for such an inspirational post :) I really need it right now as I find my way in the right direction once again.

Congrats PeanutsMom! You have done a great job. If you keep losing then in 6 more months you might be down another 40lbs. That would be 80lbs in a year, and that is no small feat. Your loss is great. I love reading your posts; there always so knowledgeable. Weight loss isn't a contest about who loses the most and fastest. You're getting healthy, you lost the weight, and you're life is changing for the better. Keep it up! ;)

This is wonderful!

I am so happy and proud for you and this terrific accomplishment.

thank you renstwin, Eliana, JustBeckyV, ubergirl, Judy Lynn, findingfawn, and Asherdoodles87!

I'm so glad I posted because even though I had been waiting to hit 6 months, with April being a tough month for me and ending up with a gain for the month, I almost didn't post this, since I wasn't feeling that great about my weight loss journey. But then I decided that yes, staying on my journey for 6 months, even with ups and downs, was still a really great thing.

And if I had asked myself 6 months ago whether I'd rather be the same weight or almost 40 lbs less, I think we all know the answer to that!

and thanks Beverlyjoy too, we cross posted!

Congrats!!

I can relate to a lot of what you said in your post. This is the very 1st time that I am treating this like a marathon and not a race. I am truly more interested in staying on plan week after week after week than I am in big numbers. I am keeping my calories high (2000) and as long as the scale moves, it's a win. This needs to be something I can do for life because I am sure as **** not losing all this weight, just to gain it back!

Way To Go!!!
 

:bravo:
You've done great and should be proud of yourself. Congrats.

Thanks Sandi and diabetic z!!

Well done you :carrot: it`s reading stories like this that keeps me on track. So Thank you.There is such great support on 3fc I`m glad i found it.

thanks topsy81!!