[JenMusic]

One year ago today I started counting calories and tracking. I'd tried calorie counting once or twice before, but the difference this time is that I didn't stop!

Far from the drudgery I thought it would be, calorie counting has been like a miracle to me. I know that it's not for everyone, but I'm a true CC convert and know that, without this tool, my weight loss journey would have been 1000x more difficult.

Attached are two pics - the first is me last May, when I'd been tracking calories for about 2 weeks. I think I'm around 170 there. The second picture is from yesterday (forgive the pose - I actually took that picture to show off my Seinfeld-esque "Puffy Shirt" ).

[joyfulloser]

You've come along way...glad you found something that's workin for you! I count calories too...problem is I've been counting 1800, 1900, 2500, 2800 calories these days...but yet I still count them!

Question...did you workout the entire time? If so, how many days/hours a week? Did you ever go through a period of just watching calories without exercise?

Thanks for any help you can offer.

[melissakd]

You look great!

[manders01]

Happy Anniversary and Congratulations!!! What a great accomplishment!

[Slim CB]

Congrats Jenmusic! To lose 85 pounds is amazing!

My one year is coming up in one month's time and like you I think CC has been my weapon on this journey. It really is something I can do for the rest of my life and the thing is it's easy! And I don't feel deprived at all!

Good luck as you enter maintenance ( I saw your other thread)....I am sure you will do well!

[JenMusic]

Thanks everyone for the kind words! It feels great to have come this far.

Originally Posted by joyfulloser

You've come along way...glad you found something that's workin for you! I count calories too...problem is I've been counting 1800, 1900, 2500, 2800 calories these days...but yet I still count them!

For the record, I definitely had a few times like that! My motto this whole time has been "progress, not perfection" and I just tried to focus on not giving up when times like that came.

Originally Posted by joyfulloser

Question...did you workout the entire time? If so, how many days/hours a week? Did you ever go through a period of just watching calories without exercise?

Actually, exercise (or at least, physical activity) came first for me. I've known for a while now that being physically active helps me avoid depression/the blues, so I started at the beginning of 2010 with just walking around the block. I wasn't in terrible shape, so I tried to push myself a little (but jogging, when I initially tried it, was completely out of the question for my knees!).

I had been doing that for a couple of months when I started CC'ing. About that time (can't remember quite when) I kicked up the workouts a bit by moving on to Jillian's 30 Day Shred. That kicked my butt but helped with some basic weights and gave me at least a little bit of strength training. A rotation of DVDs was my primary form of exercise from then until the middle of February, when I finally joined a gym. Since then I've been working on the C25K, using the elliptical, and using free weights (but I'm weak!).

My exercise started at 30 minutes 4x a week, and now I'm at 45-60 minutes, 4-6x a week.

Hope this helps, let me know if you have other questions! Your progress isn't too shabby either, you know.

[Liliann]

Wow! You look amazing!!

[myrainbow]

JenMusic, you look beautiful! Really!

I also enjoy calorie counting. You might enjoy the book Calorie Queens written a few years ago by a mother/daughter team that lost a total of 200 lbs. between them...just counting calories! It's available on amazon.

It's a humorous, wonderful book that puts calorie counting into perspective, comparing it to just balancing a checkbook. Something you just have to do.

You are a true success story!

[zoodoo613]

Jen, this is really just so great to hear. Good for you.

It seems to me that whenever I hear success stories, the person has slowly phased in the changes. I've been on this journey a few times before, and I'm trying really hard to go slow, because I want it to last. Also, this time I'm going to keep counting. I unfortunately do not enjoy it the way you do, and in the past stopped counting calories after a month or so. And I do keep losing...for a while. I'm not giving up this time. I'll record the good, the bad and the ugly and just keep AT IT.

Kudos!

[georgeshair]

JenMusic, you look fantastic. Congratulations on your transformation.

I'm counting calories on the Rosemary Conley plan (CC combined with low fat) and I really enjoy it. I don't feel deprived because I can work treats into my plan. Well done on reaching maintenance!