[ShrinkingPat]

I joined this forum in early April weighing 225 pounds. My last post was around April 14. At that time I had lost 6 pounds by rowing, walking, and limiting my caloric intake to 1,500 calories.

Since then, I have made some modifications:

1) Stayed off the computer except when absolutely necessary (for work). I realized the time I was on the computer could be better spent exercizing.

2) Decreased my caloric intake to 1,200 and cut back on carbs.

3) Added swimming to my exercize program.
I swim laps in the morning before I go to work, I walk 30 minutes during my lunch hour, I row 30 minutes when I get home from work and I walk 30 minutes after dinner each night. Exercize has become almost addictive to me now!

4) The most important thing I've done is change the way I think about food. Now I look at food as energy or fuel, nothing more.

As I said earlier, my starting weight was 225.
I have a ultimate goal of 115.
I set a mini goal of 199 for June 1. (I wanted to break that 200 mark.)

The result of my lifestyle changes during the last 8 weeks:

I've lost 32 pounds, surpassing my 199 mini goal. I weigh 193 pounds. More importantly, I haven't felt this good in a long, long time. I sit straighter, I walk faster, I breathe easier, my double chin is gone, and I can paint my own toenails now!!!! I never imagined the loss of 32 pounds would make this much difference in my life! (I've set a new mini goal of 180 pounds by July 15.)

I just wanted to pop in and say hi, report my results to date and thank you all for the early motivation back in April.

Pat is Shrinking

[suzie76]

Hi Pat,

I do remember you. I"m so proud of you!!! You're doing fantastic! Congratulations on your weight loss.

Maybe I should stay off the computer....Unfortunately since April, I've been gaining and losing the same three pounds over and over. I'm trying to get under 220, and am stuck at 222.

How did you change your view of food? I'm still having a hard time with that.

Glad you stopped in!

Hugs,
Sherry

[dowsx4]

Congrats! i know what you mean about how it changes the way you feel. I have lost 60 lbs since january and i feel alot better and i can only dream of what it would be like to be under 200lbs i have not been under 200 since i was 16 years old. I wished i had more exercise available to me than walking and a balance ball. Maybe soon. PLease keep us posted and inspired!

[Sandi]

There you are!!

I was wondering about you!! Sounds like you are doing just great!! Wooo Hoooo! That is just great.

I think thinking about food as fuel is such a great thing! Maybe I need to try that!!

Keep checking back!!

[karefree2]

Great work!

[gonzostar]

wow, that's awesome. you do what i do - 1200 calories, and i swim. no rowing, but do some weights. of course, i'll admit i'm a little jealous -- i lose SLOWLY. but i keep at it, and i'll get there.

congrats. =)

[ShrinkingPat]

Thanks everybody. I got a lot of inspiration here when I started these new lifestyle changes. Most of the inspiration came from those who posted their successes and how they were achieving their goals. I can't tell you how it pleases me to think that I may have inspired someone else.


Susie76 asked:

How did you change your view of food? I'm still having a hard time with that.

Susie, try thinking of yourself as a car -- not just any car, you are a Rolls Royce. You've been sitting in the garage for a long, long time. Your owner hasn't taken you out for a spin in years and he's been pouring cheap gas into you everyday.

One morning he decides he wants to take you for a drive and you won't start. "What have I done to my beautiful car?" he asks himself.

So he gives you a tune-up, puts you on a low lead gasoline, and begins taking you on short trips around the block. You're a little sluggish at first, sputtering and backfiring on occassion, but your owner is determined to get you back to your old self again. He doesn't give up.

Pretty soon you're crusing around town, the envy of everyone.

So try to think of yourself as a Rolls that needs to be driven everyday and needs a high quality low lead gasoline to maintain your peak performance.

[BA99TJ]

Pat - thanks for posting this! It has motivated me to get off my lazy tush and start moving!