Monday, June 25, 2012

Losing It

I'm excited to share a new feature on the blog.



I posted a few weeks ago that I have begun a weight loss plan.  I lost my baby weight from Baby E very easily.  I gained 37 pounds with her and lost 25 pounds in the first few days after her birth and was left with 12 pounds.  I joined Weight Watchers online and lost that weight by the time she was 7 months old.  

After that I stalled out.  I was overweight when I got pregnant and now it was time to tackle the excess weight I've had for several years now.  In late April I started a medically assisted weight loss program at a local hospital for people without medical problems but who want to lose weight.  It's a low carb diet.  No, not Adkins.  The focus is on low carbs to kick start a quick weight loss but you cannot eat an excessive amount of calories either.  I refuse to accept that eating bacon 24/7 is a healthy way to live.

I used this plan to start changing the way I eat and to make a lifestyle change and I have to say I am closer to a lifestyle change than I have ever been before.   I really want to share the positive changes I have made on the blog.  There are so many small changes I have made that I hope are the way I live forever.  I will be sharing those over time.  

As of right now, I have lost 17 pounds.  The past two weeks have been low weight loss weeks for me with me only losing about half a pound a week.  I am not discouraged by that because I really want a sustainable weight loss that I can maintain for the rest of my life.  A lot of the changes I made diet wise are not changes that will result in a massive weight loss initially but are things that will show big results over the next few months (giving up soda, etc.).  

Also, I have a selfish reason to share my journey on the blog.  I need some accountability and encouragement.  So many people have been so encouraging to me particularly my husband, my family and my awesome office mate Misti.  

I am so excited about how much I have lost in a short period of time (8 weeks!) but I do have a ways to go.  My initial goal is 30 pounds which leaves me with 13 more to go.  After that I will probably chose to lose some more but I am going to achieve this initial goal first.  My goal is to have reached my final goal weight by the end of the year.  

So I can't wait to share my journey and recipes and tips and tricks with you in the coming weeks and months.  

Have you ever lost weight?  What did you do?  Are you a lifelong skinny?  What are your tips and tricks?  If you say I eat Oreos every day but I just don't gain weight, I will find you and hit you.  :)

12 comments:

  1. Good for you! I've been trying to make lifestyle changes as well over the last two years. After law school, I put on 25+ pounds (sitting at my desk all day, not working out, eating poorly). Over the last two and a half years, I've taken off 20 pounds and for the most part kept it off. I feel so much better. It takes effort to maintain it though, and I'm okay with little fluctuations on the scale, because I know if I refocus I'll feel better and lose the few pounds I put back on.

    I would love to hear more about your tricks and tips on losing/keeping the weight off. And I also totally hear you about the accountability aspect - that is important to me too. Have a great week! Christine

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    1. Hi Christine! I see you on Pinterest and hope you are doing well. Congrats on your weight loss! Law careers can pack it on you given our schedules and desk jobs. I find I get really sloppy with my eating when I'm in court or have a trial I am getting ready for. I am so worried about maintenance so it makes me feel better that you are maintaining successfully. I am soooo worried about that.

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  2. Good for you! It is so exciting to lose weight. I've always struggled and finally realized that I have to lose some weight before we start trying to get pregnant. I am doing Weight Watchers and regular exercise ... It is hard to look at the BIG number, so I am focusing on the little milestone. Anxious to hear what has worked for you! Congrats!

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    1. I have a friend that lost 30 pounds on Weight Watchers and my husband lost some weight there several years ago. I always do well on WW for about 10-15 pounds and then I stop counting. I have just figured out that I am not going to count anything for very long. Also, I don't do well with programs that tell me I can eat whatever I want because I will starve myself all day so I can go crazy at night. It's not good for me with my control issues but WW is a great program. My friend swears by it. Small goals are really the way to go!

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  3. This is just what I need right now! Between college and law school, I've put on 50 pounds. I've never been considered heavy (5'7" and 170lbs.) but I don't feel good. I am such a sweets person that it is really hard to give that up. My problem is being patient and not expecting results overnight! I do so well for a week or so and then I binge. I'm exicted to read your tips and recipes. I'm getting married in just over 9 months and I really want to have lost 20 lbs by that time!

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    1. I'd also love to be a guest blogger at some point in this series! My blog is here: http://carolinafireflies.blogspot.com

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    2. Thanks Kristyn! I'd love to have you guest blog. Shoot me an email at jessica@11gray.com. I am a sweets person too. My addiction is Starbucks frappucinnos. It's really a problem. I don't crave cakes or cupcakes but I love cookies and sweet beverages. Luckily, I have gotten addicted to Chick fil A's diet lemonade. Congrats on your wedding and good luck. I'll be sure to share any tips I find along the way.

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  4. way to go! I'm really interesting in seeing how it goes, best of luck and keep going!!

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  5. I have about 10 pounds I'd love to lose, but, after the baby was born 10 months ago, making time for me has been near impossible. Or, I've made it that way.

    I've abandoned all my good habits: I am not drinking enough water, I sleep much less than I should and I'm not making time for exercise. The result? A cranky, flabby mommy with no energy.

    Back to basics for me. 32 oz of water a day, 30 min of exercise 4 days a week and 7 hours of sleep per night. Gotta do it.

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    1. I understand. It's hard with little ones. You put yourself last and end up feeling horrible. I have found that drinking enough water has really made a big difference in my weight loss. I don't drink 64 oz of anything in a day so I have to make it a point to drink that much water. Good luck!

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  6. Wow, Jessica! That is amazing! Good for you! Maintaining and losing weight is hard, and it sounds like you have to confidence in yourself and the program you are on to make it work. Definitely share your results, and your tips and tricks that work best for you!

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