[SenseAndSensibility]

I was more active on here a year ago, but long story short I used to be 200 pounds and spent all 2015 changing my eating habits and exercising more. I lost about 60~ pounds to be at 130~ pounds (give or take 3 pounds any given day). My original goal was 120, but didn't make it all the way.

At 130 I got more comfortable and started moving to a more maintenance frame of mind. I did jump up about ten pounds back to 140 slowly, but I've maintained it all 2016.
My mind is also starting to finally catch up with my body...It's amazing how conditioned my brain was to think "chubby". I can see why people can develop eating disorders and unhealthy diet mentalities...It's like my brain was literally against me. It couldn't "see" any changes because it had been 200 pounds so long. But now I'm more familiar with my slimmer size.

I'd like to finish my journey though...I know 143 is a great number and nothing to scoff at, but I've also seen how that ten pounds effected my husband's fitness journey. It set him farther back then me (20 pounds), and while we still are way healthier then 2014 , we have to be at top health for his dream job of policing. There's just no compromise, and its a journey we will do better together as a team. I'm also very short at 5'1", so 140 still leaves my thighs rather chubby and has lead to some chaffing uncomfort. Lately I've also been getting restless leg syndrome again, something that only happened when I was eating unhealthy. So time to finish up!

Am I crazy for starting now though, five days from Christmas? I literally have three dinner parties to attend back to back. I read some encouraging advice about planing to fail and feel prepared. This isn't my first Christmas of healthy eating. But might it be more discourging in the long run? Havw any of you started before a major eating holiday and how did it work for you?

[JesikaBeth]

Hello

Glad you're back. I don't think you're crazy for starting now. One of the most powerful quotes I have read is "A year from now, you'll have wish you started today." Makes one think! And it's very, very true.

As for the Holiday itself, obviously food is usually a focal point. It's part of the celebration. We can thank society for that I do believe LOL!

I started my journey in October 2014, so not right before the holidays but close enough. I cut myself a bit of slack, said I could eat what was on my plate - but ONLY one plate. That way I didn't feel deprived. After the Holidays passed, I became more strict and mindful with my eating/diet/lifestyle changes. Here I am, nearly 100 pounds lighter with 49 pounds to go until my ultimate goal weight.

Holidays aren't always easy on us, especially food wise, BUT... I think the key is to enjoy ALL of the holiday and find what works best for you in doing so.

Best wishes

[MonteCristo]

Of course you aren't crazy. Honestly, most of the time I think it is crazy when you are waiting until some "special" date in the future to start, even though that is usually my method. Every time you eat something you have a choice, and the sooner you start making better choices, the better. Maybe every single choice over the holiday won't be the best, but every little bit helps.

Congrats on your weight loss! You've done a great job.

[ImEnergized]

I just started on Sunday! I was going to wait until after the holidays because I thought I must be crazy to start getting my act together now, but then I realized I must be crazy for waiting!

I think you will do great. My plan is to have some treats and just do better than I was with my food but try to get my exercise where I want it to be now. I suffer from "if I didn't do perfectly then ...". So I am working on doing and being better and giving up on the idea of perfect.

I hope the start of your journey has you energized.

[Scotsgal]

Originally Posted by JesikaBeth

One of the most powerful quotes I have read is "A year from now, you'll have wish you started today."

I started in January 13th 2016, it was the day after I had came back from Germany with some friends, and I had realised through the photos that had been taken that I was much bigger than I had anticipated. After standing on the scales at 323lbs I was correct, I was the biggest I had ever been. Now I was always the big kid, the big teen and now the big adult. I thought to myself this exact thing that JesikaBeth mentioned. If I were to lose... just 1lb a week, this time next year I would be 52lbs lighter . Now most adverts tell you that you can lose 2lbs a week+ on certain diets blah blah blah, but I would always hit a plateau and then give up because I wasn't hitting my targets. But 1lb is 3500 calories, so I worked out that If I ate 400calories less than my maintenance level per week, and burn only 700 calories over the week, I should lose 1lb. You could also work it out to burn 200 calories per day and eat 300 calories less oer day to reach the 1lb. To me...... that sounded simple. I was right on track until the last 6 weeks of university where stress made me maintain, I was hitting the gym 3-4 times a week but stress does strange things with me.

I am on week 48 and I am 43lbs down, I am only 5lbs behind. But when It hits the 13th of January, I fully plan on being as close to the 52 as possible, and I will be ecstatic that I started when I did, or I will still be unhappy.

You do not have a lot to lose...... So take it slow, learn about maintaining, maybe read a few books or blogs or specialists on weight maintenance. Maybe start a new sport? What about weight training? muscle building? have you done that before?

I believe that you will 100% reach your goal, but take this as a learning project, so that when you hit that goal! you know how to stay there



You can do this!

[SenseAndSensibility]

Thanks everyone! Glad to know it's not completely crazy. I just don't want to derail...But if I make note of the fact that I'm likely to eat more because of holidays It's just planning ahead, right? Love the one plate rule. I'm also just gonna be a picky eater. If I don't love the food, it's not going on the plate. I don't have to have a bite of every dish on the table, it really won't hurt anyone's feelings if I don't eat everything.

Love the idea of adding some more activity Scotsgal! Before I started with just swimming (even have a water proof mp3 making it super fun!) I later added a little weight training, just cause I wanted to maintian muscle. That could be part of why I gained back that ten pounds during maintenance though...My eating was much better (though still too much snacking) but being active really slacked. I think I'm gonna add biking! I used to bike all the time as a kid and during our anniversary the hubby and I rented bikes for two hours and loved it. I'm snow locked right now but there are stationary bikes at the gym I'm already going too. Perhaps when it melts the husband and I can look into buying some bikes!

[circa83]

I don't think it's crazy to start trying to lose weight around the holidays. Call it a challenge. Being a picky eater can be a good strategy. I do it as well, and it can be applied to every day not just parties. Also you don't necessarily have to eat more just because you're eating out. You can grab small portions, just a taste of all the things you want most and would like to try, without eating much of any one thing. You could fill more of your plate with vegetables first if you want something healthier to fill up on. You don't have to clean your plate either. I didn't start weight loss around the holidays, but I did lose a little weight right before Thanksgiving and didn't want to pause progress, so I decided to eat a bit more vegetables and get smaller portions of all my favorite stuff for Thanksgiving (which fortunately for me was lunch) and ate a light typical dinner, and mission accomplished.