Hmm. Not really sure how to count, but I would claim over two years. There have been some sidetracks during that time, but I have not exceeded my original goal weight (150) since the time I reached it (but I have yet to find/reach my ultimate goal weight and I have weighed less than I do now).
The two years before I lost 35 pounds in 4 or so months, then would spend the next 8 months gaining it back. Not this time. This is the most I have lost and stuck with in a long time. I think we just can't quit trying. If you keep trying, it only takes one time to stick.
Since November, 2007. I've had lots of losses and lots of gains. I have learned a lot over these years and am confident that this time my habits will permanently change.
I originally started about 6 months before I found out i was pregnant with my 3rd son, so about Nov 2005. I got derailed for some time, with the overwhelming parenthood of 3 active boys and depression. I got back on track again in late 2008 but got derailed in Aug 09 with marital issues. I'm slowly making my way back to feeling good about myself again and plugging those little routines and changes back into daily life.
But my Mom told me today that my Dad might have cancer again and I'm pretty shook up but determined that this will be my motivator and not my derailer!
I started June 1 of 2010. I did maintenance for about 6 months during which I had two bunionectomies. I have restarted in April but have not really lost any weight. I think my body likes 152! I will overcome this plateau!
I started on 27 July 2009, so 10 months tomorrow. I just wish I'd started so much sooner, but then again I don't think I was in the right place mentally and I had to reach that point before I finally knew what I needed to do.
I feel like a different person to the one from a year ago both physically and mentally.
March 10, 2009. On that day I started with a personal trainer. He wouldn't train me without my doctor's permission which was somewhat humiliating.
I wasn't sure I could lose weight, but I was sure I could get healthier with exercise and that was my plan. I also did not want the mental burden of trying to lose weight because I knew the gut-wrenching sadness and angst that came with the one large (sad chuckle here) failure in my life.
But fate intervenes, and I started calorie counting on software my trainer recommended so as to "eat better food" not to lose weight (I did not want to fail again.) Then I started counting carbs. Then I started losing weight and ... magic! ... cutting the sugar just eliminated the hunger. I'm so grateful.
But my Mom told me today that my Dad might have cancer again and I'm pretty shook up but determined that this will be my motivator and not my derailer!
Donna, I'm so sorry to hear this. I will hope that it is not so. Hang in there.
That statement is pretty much my new motto.
I started watching what I ate about 2 weeks before that, but 27 days ago was a time of real commitment from me!!
