I have some ONEderful news!
 

I've made it ONEderland. Monday's are my weigh-in day and I am down 2 lbs since last week, which brings me to 199 lbs. I am very pleased to have that little 1 in front of my weight. It's been a looong time. Although I can't tell you exactly how long, since I had avoided the scale for close to 15 years prior to my lifestyle change. 199 is a very nice number indeed since I started this venture at 287 lbs. But I've still got a lot of work that needs to be done. I am really looking forward to losing another 12 lbs which will bring my total weightloss to 100lbs. And then there's 175 and 160 and 143 (half of my former self) and then 130 and 125 and who knows........it's all up to me.

Some things I've discovered so far and some random thoughts in no particular order:

-Knowing how or why I let myself get so heavy in the first place is irrelevant. Still not sure as to why I thought it was okay to be so fat. Still not sure why I thought I didn't deserve the chance to have the very best possible life that I can have. Still not sure why I was willing to settle for second best, when first was within my reach. I may never know. You don't need to figure everything out before you make a change.

-I spend a lot less time worrying now. I was always worried when I was 287 lbs. Worried when I had to go to a social event - what would I wear? Would I get a "good" seat? Would I have to stand a lot? What would I wear? I was worried about my children's school functions, some issues as above. Going to a movie was worrisome, would the aisle seat be available and would I be able to get it? Every single party and event brought on tons and tons of anxieties. What if there's folding chairs? Would I break it? Or lawn chairs? Beach chairs? Yup, I was always worried about chairs. I haven't flown for over 13 years due to this fact. For the record I no longer worry about them any more. Then there was the constant worrying about putting myself at increased risk for certain cancers and heart disease and diabetes. I just spent an awful lot of time worrying. Now, not so much. I spend more time doing.

-Clothes shopping is an absolute joy now. I actually cried in a dressing room recently. I became so overwhelmed by the fact that I was in a regular sized store. I simply can not wait to see what it will be like as I get closer to my goal.

-Food was never the enemy, or the scale - it was me the whole time. I was my own worst enemy.

-My old life was full of shame. Being so sedentary and inactive was a big source of embarassment for me. That is no longer the case. The ability to exercise and have movement and activity in one's life is a joy and a blessing.

-I absolutely love how I eat now. I am so proud of my food choices. The healthy foods in normal sized-portions. I was ashamed of how I used to eat. I had to hide it from the world. I felt sneaky and dirty. Just yuck. I can now shout out my eating habits from the rooftops. I eat just as healthy as anyone else, if not more so.

-Collar bones are sexier and prettier then any diamond necklace in the world. Without a doubt!

-It is absolutely possible to reprogram the brain. This new lifestyle is completely ingrained in my brain. It's like I've discovered a new religon or something. And I like it. I've done a complete 180.

-Determination and commitment increases as you go along. Obsession is an added bonus.

-Energy is a wonderful, wonderful thing. And very new to me. I like it.

-I am so lucky to have found 3FC. I have learned a lot from this place.

-I loved food before, I love it now, maybe more so. Though I definitely love myself more.

-Nothing tastes quite as delicious as walking up a flight of stairs without getting winded. Nothing tastes quite as yummy as being able to get off the floor quickly.

-I've given up nothing by giving up the high calorie, high fat, high sugar, high quantity of food. Nothing, nothing, nothing. I have gained so much in every aspect of my life. There is not one area that has not seen great improvement, socially, physically, mentally. From minor things to major things.

-Food should not be used for consolement, boredom, lonliness, anger, happiness and the such. Remeber it IS possible to reprogram the brain.

-Food was my so called drug of choice. But it was my indeed my choice. I am the one that chose to eat my way up to 287lbs. I now choose to be healthy and fit and trim and active. We can't change our height (:( ), our eye color or the weather. We have no control over those things. We most certainly have the control over our weight, maybe not down to the last few pounds or so, but we have control over it for the most part. We have the power. It's always been there. Like Dorothy and her red slippers. She always had the power to get back to Kansas, she just didn't always know it.

Wow! Good for you! Congratulations, not only for getting to ONEderland, but on your mindset!

Yay Robin! :bravo: Congratulations on Onederland ... I've been watching your ticker and knew it would be any day now. :carrot: :carrot: :carrot:

and

Awesome post!!!!

Just fantastic! I agree with every word that you wrote. You get it, you really do get it, and that's what's going to take you to your goal - and keep you there for the rest of your life. This journey we're on isn't always going to be easy or fun, but it IS possible ... and so, so worth every bit of effort and sacrifice.

I know you've been exercising all along - I've seen your fabulous stats! - but now's the time to really become an exercise fanatic. It's going to reshape your body and help you get to goal with your metabolism all fired up. Grab those dumbbells, chickie, and let's get tight and strong! :strong:

Congrats, your story is very inspiring. My eyes got all wet.
Sharon

Congratulations! You are such an asset to this site. I'm so glad you found us and that I can watch you succeed.

Congratulations Robin! :congrat: I am so impressed by your weight loss, your lifestyle changes, and most of all - your attitude. Your energy is phenomenal. You must be so proud of yourself. You are such an inspiration to so many people here on 3FC, and I imagine so much more of one to the people who know you in person. Incredible! I hope you take good care of yourself and enjoy every single minute, way to go :D

Do you mind me asking how you lost so much weight since September? Every time I came on and saw your ticker, I'd be like wowzers... :dizzy: :lol:

Robin -- :woohoo: congrats!!!!! You DO have a great attitude!!

I agree with Meg about the exercise. I haven't lost any weight in months, but because of my weight training have gone down in size in that time. I AM reshaping my body!

Congratulations Robin, I'm sure you feel onederful. Your post is such an inspriation, thank you. I hope to join you in onederland before too long.

You ROCK, Robin!! :cheer: CONGRATS!!!!

:woohoo: robin!!!!!

:carrot:

Thank you gals. You're just the best!!!! Each and everyone of you. That's why I love it here.

Meg, thanks for all your help and the vote of confidence. I think I just may be an exercise fanatic already. I have exercised from the begining, but I'd say within the last month or so I have been really obsessive about it. I haven't broken out the dumbells just yet. I am absolutely loving my new resistance band though. Dumbells are just around the corner for me.

Susan, coming from you those words are especially precious to me. Thank you.

Sharonrr, thank you so much. It still boggles the mind that I can be inspirational to someone. I see you are new here. You are lucky to have found this place. I know I surely am.

Wyllenn, I will definitely take your advice anytime about anything. I am glad to hear you are benefiting from weight training. Your word is as good as gold, so yup I will be looking to make improvements in that area.

wannabethin, thank you. Come on over, there's plenty of room!!

Thank you so much ennay and LBH!!

beautifulone, Thank you so much for your kind words. You are a doll!!! I don't always like to focus on the when I started my journey. Some people have been very down on me for losing relatively quickly. Not that I'm anywhere near done. So, yes I started on September 4, 2006. I think the one reason that it has come off as quickly as it has a lot to do with what I posted. It all came from the brain and reprogramming it. Determination has been key. That is without a doubt the number one reason I have lost the weight. I want this so badly that I have had no major slip ups since September 3. NONE. I've had a couple of minor slip-ups, but nothing major.
I know many, many people recommend taking baby steps, cutting out a little of this and a bit of that, but that was not the approach I have taken. For me it was all or nothing. It's just the type of personality that I have. I started eating healthy, completely and totally. Healthy, nutritious food in normal sized portion. I added exercise as well from day one, increasing as I go along. But again I really want to stress that for me the major factor in losing has been my brain and my thoughts on food and it's role in my life. I just simply decided that I didn't want to be fat anymore. As soon as I made the decison to no longer be fat, the rest has been relatively easy. It gets easier every day as I get more and more into my new lifestyle. I just hope it remains that way.

WOO HOO
ROBIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your post made me cry and I felt a new desire to keep doing this!!!
THANK YOU!
What a great post and a fabulous accomplishment.
I'd love to know how you're doing it too.
ENjoy this moment.

:hug:
Tracy

...
 

:encore: Congrats Robin!! I am so happy for you!

Don't ever doubt your impact on the folks here. You have responded to a few of my threads and you've always been very supportive. You are a doll! Enjoy your day and your new weight! It is a great ephoric feeling. Revel in it. :)

:woohoo: Robin, you go girl!! :woohoo: ... You are an inspiration for sure... Do you have before and after pics posted somewhere?

Robin -- You are a :gift: gift to this website -- I am just starting and I am depressed this morning and was headed for a binge when I logged on and read your thread -- thank you, thank you, thank!! I've stopped, regrouped and am ready to tackle the rest of the day. You have so many good points, ideas, etc. -- you are an asset to this website. Congratulations - you've done an amazing job!!

Way to go! You are an inspiration. I am keeping a copy of your post on my desk.

Awwww, thank you all so much. The fact that you gals think I am an inspiration is an unexpected bonus as I progress through my weightloss journey. I found 3FC on September 12, 2006 (yes, I checked the date), which was 8 days into my journey. It has been beyond belief helpful to me in so many ways. The fact that I can inspire others is so, so rewarding. The desire to want to help people is in fact is overwhelming. To think that perhaps I may have helped any of you here on 3FC just takes my breath away. I thank you all for letting me share my journey with you.

Ilene, I've yet to post pics anywhere. Although I did take a before shot with the intention of one day maybe doing so. My kids keep telling me it's time to post them. I'm still a bit camera shy. I will think about it and perhaps in a couple of days I will. Maybe.

YAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:carrot: for you! Back when I made it to Onederland, you said you hoped to join me soon...and BOY OH BOY, it wasn't long at ALL!

:carrot: :carrot: :carrot:

Congratulations! What a onederful milestone!!

rockinrobin,CONGRATULATIONS on your Onederful weight-loss! I totally agree with you on the bit about re-programming the brain. I have complete control of my entire body (and brain) so I know I have the ability and the power to lose weight. Good luck on continuing your lifestyle change and reaching your ultimate goa! Take care!:)

Mandalinn, I do remember when you made it to 199, YOU certainly didn't stay at that numer for very long. I can't help but notice that you are EIGHT INCHES taller then me. You will be at your overall goal in no time at all.

Thank you midwife.

Thank you for your congrats Iwannaloseit!!! Yes, I FINALLY realized that it is all in the brain. That if I don't want to be overweight that I don't have to be, there was nothing or no one to stop me. Another thing I had a problem with was that I thought that before I lost the weight I would have to figure out how I let myself get that way (I listened to Oprah too many times) and I realized that was not the case. Obviously I knew how I got there, eating too much and moving too little. I'm talking about the emotional aspect of it. Regardless of how I got to be so heavy was inconsequential. That I was tired of being so overweight was enough to get the ball rolling, so to speak.

Robin, congratulations. :carrot: :carrot: :carrot: :carrot: :carrot: Your words resounded like a giant bell in my brain....ding, ding, pay attention. I am putting them up on my refrigerator, my bathroom mirror, everywhere where I need to pay attention and stay alert. I am also going to give copies to my personal training clients.

You are a winner!

Robin,

WOW! Congratulations on being 1XX. :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: I've been expecting you to hit onederland soon, and sure enough, today's the day! What a fantastic thing you have done for your self!

That was a great post, and so many things that had me shaking my head in agreement. I hope you decide that it's time to post some photos soon. I'd love to see them!

Congratulations! I've been meaning to mention to you that I have been amazed at your progress. I've noticed that your stats kept going lower and lower...you are melting away! Congratulations on your strength, courage, perseverance, and success! Truly something to celebrate!

rockinrobin - congrats!!! I love hearing how you really talk about it being an emotional thing... about 2 weeks ago I made the decision to be grown up about trying to lose weight. Since then things have come fairly easy, there are times I want to eat all the bad food in the world... but I decided that the time is going to pass whether I eat pizza or I eat a healthy meal, and in a year I'd rather be thinner and happier than fat and feeling sorry for myself. Weight training will TOTALLY transform your body - definitely worth the investment!

-Aimee

Congratulations! :)
It is good to hear that you have really learned so much about yourself through this experience as well.......that it isn't just about the weight loss, that it is about robin taking care of robin.

Robin

I am so proud of you. :hug: You have worked really hard and this is a great reward. I am sure your family is very proud of you too.

I am so looking forward to joining you in Onederland. I liked what you said about being able to shop at a regular store and the chairs. You know people don't think about how people who are overweight may cope with things like chairs, airplane seats etc... The worse for me was when I realized that I could not fit on a ride at Kings Island :?: I actually thought that there must be something wrong with the seat.

Just think never, ever, ever will you have to face that again or worry over those other things that you mentioned. :carrot:

Keep up the good work and stay positive.

Stinger

Congratulations Robin! :bravo: and I have to say that your post was terrific and very inspiring! :D

wow, your weightloss has been amazing to watch!! congratulations!!

I'll join every one else in wishing you a heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS! As well as a very heartfelt thank you. Your post said everything I've been feeling. I think you're an inspiration and I've bookmarked this for those craving and emotional times when the old habit of reaching for food sometimes seem overwhelming. Making the intellectual and rational decision to no longer be unhealthy doesn't always compute to the heart so easily. You've done it, by all accounts and deserve a sound pat on the back. Well done!

All I can say is WOW!!! This is fabulous! I, too, was waiting for you to hit onederland and knew that it could be any day now, then low and behold I logged on and you've made it! Congratulations, Robin! All the hard work and determination are paying off, and you'll be at your overall goal in no time.

I've read your opening post for this thread a couple times, and it is all so true. It doesn't matter how we got here, as long as we face up to it and consciously decide that we won't let it happen again. I'm just so impressed by your progress and speed, keep it up!

Congrats!!!!


Way to go Robin! You hit the nail on the head- we have to accept the responsibility for our weight. One of my favorite sayings is "We are where we are today because of choices we've made". This pertains to all aspects of you life - not just weight. We do have choices! It's nice to hear that someday my brain will be reprogrammed. I;m looking forward to not feeling quite so tempted. Good luck to you as you move closer to your goal!

Congratulations Robin. You are truly an inspiration. It is weird because every time I am thinking I can't do this, I see a post from you or someone that has the same positive honest attitude you have, it makes me feel like I can do it. You are an amazing person and thank you for all you have given me through your posts. Thanks for reminding me it is my choice......Way to go with your successes.

Ann

Wow! Congrats! That's wonderful news. Or I should say ONEderful!

Robin, I haven't been a member here very long, but you were one of the first person's posts that impacted me. I had made my decision to rid myself of this body before I found 3fc's - but only by days! I also have printed out your post and I have it here by my desk and I carry a copy in my purse too. You are a wonderful inspriation to all - and it is like you are inside my brain when you make a post. I have NO DOUBT I will make it to onederland too - and I know that because of the support of people like you. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for being here and sharing with all of us.

Congratulations on this special milestone in your life. I wish I could send you a rose for every pound. That 187 is just around the corner for you now, and all the milestones beyond that are so very close for you.....keep watching behind you, because one of these days I will be right there too.:hug:

Cindy

Robin, When I saw you had lost 81lb in 5mo I read some of your other posts and am amazed! You have some really good motivational ideas like "sneak exercise in whenever you can" and " when you eat something ask yourself 'Is ti worth it?'" I am enjoying reading what you have to say so much. Thanks for all the inspiration.

I can't remember if I replied to this thread yet or not, so I'll do it anyway...

Robin, you are AMAZING!! I've loved watching you succeed on this journey, and I feel like we've been sort of taking the journey together, so when you have a success I feel like I'm sharing it with you! When I hit Onederland too, you can celebrate it with me all over again! :hug:

Everyone else is right -- your posts get us through when we feel like we can't do it. You're always so positive. Your post on this thread is truly inspirational. Thank you so much for being a part of this board -- we're all blessed to have you!!

And congratulations!!!! :hat:

Huge congratulations, Robin!! :carrot: :carrot:

I've said this to you before (and I'm not sure you believed me then) - you are an absolute inspiration. Watching your ticker come down PROVES that we can all do this if we work hard enough. I love reading your posts - you're always so positive and on a couple of days when I haven't been so positive, it's helped me to lift up a bit.

You deserve this so very much, and I'm completely thrilled for you

:hug:
nicole

WOOOT Robin! :carrot: :hug:

I knew you'd be there soon... I noticed your ticker getting close the other day
:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:
You are such a rockstar! Congradulations!