One year ago today, I started IP and was lost, desperate, nervous, hopeful, and excited all at the same time. My weight was out of control...I did not even recognize the person I saw in the mirror not to mention my weight had impacted my self-esteem tremendously.
Everyone who is OP now, think about one year from today seeing your old self and knowing that this journey you are on will be worth it and then some.
eandc2006 Congratulations! This piece is very inspiring and it sounds like me. It's so relate-able and you speak from the heart & soul. Thank you for the share, for inspiring, motivating and encouraging all of us who remain OP to stay focused and true and to be nice to ourselves even in the not-so-great times. +20lbs ago, I was the sad, lonely girl that you describe above with zero self-esteem. While I still have a ways to go until goal, I am happy to say that my self-esteem grows stronger with each day. Taking care of myself and yes, putting myself first is an amazing feeling. I love myself and while I'm disappointed I allowed things to get out of control, I have faith in myself that I can continue along this path indefinitely. I'm sure there will be plenty of hurdles and cross roads but with the tools that we continue to share and learn from each other, we just need to learn to apply consistently throughout our every day lives.
Thanks for this reminders and the inspiring narrative. Congratulations ~ especially as you approach your one year anniversary. You're terrific!
Thank you everyone...just sharing my two cents and hoping to give inspiration to others. When I was OP a year ago, I so appreciated when people would post similar things about their journey, their success, and give me hope.
Of course, I am inspired by all of you and your hard work. Even though I am in maintainence, I try and come on here as much as I can and lurk around, post, catch up, etc. because it keeps me strong, reminds me of why I started IP in the first place, and also accountable. I will never be totally free of all my food desires and it helps tremendously to know that others like me are breaking down walls and heading towards goal.
Thank you for all your kind words. Truly I could have never done this journey without TFC and all the support.
One year ago today, I started IP and was lost, desperate, nervous, hopeful, and excited all at the same time. My weight was out of control...I did not even recognize the person I saw in the mirror not to mention my weight had impacted my self-esteem tremendously.
I found TFC, read, posted, lurked, posted, read, and read some more. It was a very hard journey for me...emotionally coming to terms with why I used food to soothe and how to cope without it.
There were weeks of big losses, days when the scale didn't budge, and the challenges of staying OP BUT I did it!
One year ago today I started at 172lbs...today I weight 132. December will celebrate my year of maintainence (with a few days of Phase 1 and a recent two week reboot).
I am looking forward to December and 1 year maintaining because I am healthier, stronger (physically and emotionally!!!!) and feel like I have finally put myself on the list of priorities and taken care of me.
A year ago today, and the chaallenging weeks that ensued were tough but worth it. In fact, there are better than worth it (whatever you call that).
Wishing I could go back to that day last year, give myself a hug, and instill the confidence I have now that IP would work and to trust the process. I was so fearful of another failure.
Point is...IP worked for me...it saved a hopeful person desperate for change.
Everyone who is OP now, think about one year from today seeing your old self and knowing that this journey you are on will be worth it and then some.
Have a happy Friday everyone!
It is people like you that inspires all of us. I, too, started IP almost a year ago (Oct 15 to be exact) and have been in maintenance since May. I have inspired a few people including my husband whom has lost almost 30lbs since starting in August. I am truly proud of him.
Thank you. The secret really is just staying close to the scale and taking care of any gains right away. I tend not to follow maintained completely...I still eat a huge phase 3 breakfast everyday and a phase 2 lunch but several times a week when I am not eating protein and veggies, I eat what I like (within reason and not as much as I would like) for dinner. It has been relatively easy to maintain...just an everyday constant effort of what I am eating, how much, and when. I know their are some folks who say they follow maintainable to a t and never want to have to reboot. I have accepted that rebooting here and there is a part of my life and have found a system that works for me. I think whatever works for you to be at your goal weight long term is important and it takes some time to figure it out.
Congrats and thanks so much. I am on week two and feeling pretty good. It is not easy, and I know that maintenance will be even harder. I appreciate these success stories.
