I have fought a losing battle with my weight since elementary school. I think I have tried every diet out there; the grapefruit juice diet, the cabbage diet, the Atkins diet, NutriSystem, and many more all without any success. I would lose a few pounds but as soon as I start eating regular food again I would gain what little weight I'd lost back. I have realized there is no miracle cure for being fat! My sister joined the YMCA last year and started going to a class twice a week. She loved it. It wasn't at a time that I could go to so she started doing it a few times a week for some of the women in our church. After a few months of that with really no change in my weight, but I did feel better, I joined the Y. I would come over twice a week for a water aerobics class. After a few weeks of that and just getting comfortable going to the gym I signed up with a personal trainer. She had me keep a food diary and started me on cardio. I saw immediate results. Then we started meeting for strength training. I have been working with her since July. As of my last progress session I had lost 55 lbs, 24 inches and 10% of my body fat. Now I focus on portion control and making healthy decisions when it comes to food. I no longer drink any kind of soft drink and very rarely eat fast food. I have started eating more whole wheat foods, lean protein and green vegetables. It's not about being on a 'diet' anymore. I am eating the way I should have been eating my whole life. I don't deny my cravings, but when I start wanting chocolate I get a few dark chocolate chips out of the bag in my fridge and not only have I satisfied my craving but I get all the good anti-oxidants that dark chocolate has. When I want something from Mickey D's I just get a Happy Meal. I am learning to be smart about food. I still have a long way to go, but now it doesn't seem impossible.
I am going Ireland the summer of 2010 and I want to have lost 75-100lbs.
I am so excited to have the support of three of the most amazing people I have ever met! I can't wait to see us all when we have accomplished our goals.
Stacy Lou - Arkansas
Congratulations Stacy! Your 2008 photo looks great! I'm really proud of all of you! I really like the way you're thinking about food and health now...it's not about dieting; it's about making healthy choices. Not only for your body, but for your mind and emotional health as well.
ReplyDeleteStacy, you are doing so amazing, and seeing you in December was a big inspiration for me to keep going with my journey. It really is all about the choices that we make with the food that we eat, and I WISH I could have figured this out years ago!
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your journey, and we WILL both reach our goals by the time we head to Ireland!