I am doing a weight loss follow up to the post I put up on May 5, 2013. I have been on Weight Watcher’s actually losing weight since April 1, 2012. It took me eleven months to lose seventy five pounds. If I can do it, anyone can!
I have maintained my current weight for the last six months (about as long as this blog has been up). This is huge for me. I have never managed to maintain any weight loss for longer than six weeks. I really think I owe it to this blog for keeping me accountable. And to you guys for being so supportive.
Of course, it is definitely not easy. Here is a note I wrote a month ago for the blog:
Tonight I am struggling. I think it is important to look back to see how far I have come. So I can move ahead.
A year ago, I was thirty pounds heavier than I am now. Two years before that, I was seventy five pounds heavier.
Food is constantly on my mind.
Constantly.
I imagine it always will be.
Tonight all I want is a chocolate ice cream cone. It is just a couple of steps to our freezer. I could open it up. Scoop it out. The icy cold creaminess would be on my tongue in no time.
But instead, I am sitting here writing you. Fighting the battle. Drinking my iced water.
Tomorrow I will weigh in, as I have done for two years.
Tonight, I just fit into a size six skirt. Six. I could not believe it. The amazing thing is, I might have been able to buy the four.
And all I want is chocolate.
I am so glad I have you guys to write to about this. This struggle is so hard.
Thank you for sticking through me with this. Letting me post my weekly outfit posts. It allows me to move forward. To resist the temptation.
Thank you! So, are any of you struggling? Let it out. You might feel better.
I do now.
Tomorrow might be different. There is always a different temptation. A different struggle. This is my battle. It is a war that will never be over. I hope to continue fighting.
It is hard.
Wow! I really wanted ice cream. And you know what? Every day, there is going to be a new temptation. I have found tracking everything (points for Weight Watchers) to be my single most effective tool.
I plan my meals for the week in advance. This way, I know what I have to look forward to for dinner. And how many points I will need for the rest of the day. If I know I am going to have an amazing dinner (like tuna pie ; ) ), I won’t be tempted to splurge on lunch.
Being on maintenance, I get an extra six points a day. That is huge. I usually fluctuate up and down one pound from week to week. I will not lie, every week when I step on that scale, I get nervous. I know it would be impossible to gain back seventy five pounds in one week. But every time, I worry.
I also buy clothes. When I was heavier, I only purchased in the home department. I would occasionally purchase a dress, but it was very rare. It still seems like a miracle every time I go into a dressing room and something actually fits. I have now amassed quite a collection. And I am currently vowing to only buy something if it is truly unique. No more white dresses! They are my weakness. I need to come to the realization that clothes are now going to fit and I do not need to purchase something just because it does. This is my hardest obstacle to wrap my head around.
That and chocolate. Creamy chocolate. My daily battle continues.
Poor little Ollie has been on a diet, too. He finally met his goal weight! He is not as happy about it as we are, but he runs around the house now.
Are any of you on a diet? Or in maintenance? Are you facing the same struggles as me? Please share (only if you feel comfortable doing so) in the comments.
* I despise nutmeg and asparagus. Therefore, I took photos of items that hold no temptation. This is a diet post after all. : )
Jenni, you are ROCKING that sleeveless dress. Do your thing, girl! Your willpower is amazing. I would have been all over that ice cream and then mad at myself later. So, you may not get the ice cream but at least you miss out on the guilt too?
Thank you Danielle! You are so sweet! Last night,my willpower let me down and I ate half of a giant cookie. So, it is a daily struggle. Today, I feel stronger. Hopefully it lasts all day! And I feel you on the guilt. It is true. The ice cream is not worth that feeling.
Thank you so much for stopping by! And your kind words! I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!
Jenni
wow, big accomplishment, is that your closet? it’s lovely
Thank you! Your comment made me smile, because for a moment I imagined it was so. And that would be awesome! A dream come true.but, alas, it is the Anthropologie sales room. But that would be my ultimate closet. Thank you for the lovely imagine! : )
Have a wonderful day!
Jenni
Hi Jenni!! I think you are amazing, courageous and so so beautiful to share your story with us!! I am sure many people will be motivated and inspired reading your blog (that is including me) I think you look gorgeous inside and out! Keep up the amazing job!!
Thank you Sayaka. That is truly the sweetest compliment. I very much appreciate it. I find it so hard to motivate myself, it seems amazing to me that I could inspire other people. I truly just want people who are struggling to know they are not alone. And I thank you for always being there for me and commenting. It truly lifts my spirits. Thank you!
Have a perfectly wonderful child-free morning!
Jenni
My 4-legged girl is on Hill’s RD and that has really helped slim her down, although she loves any treats we give her, as well as plain rice cakes and frozen vegetables (right from the freezer).
Hi Barbara!
Thank you for sharing your girl’s diet secrets. ; ). Ollie is on Solid Gold regular, he just gets less than he used to. I also buy a rotisserie chicken twice a week and mix bits of it into the boys’ food. Our friend does a raw food diet for their dog. And it has worked really well. Ollie would eat anything. Anything. His favorite treat is ice cubes. He does not seem to realize that it is not really a substance. So, that is his best diet secret.
Thank you for letting me know. I am going to try those rice cakes. That is genius!
Have a great day!
Jenni
Funny – I’m not a fan of nutmeg either, but I love asparagus! It is actually a good diuretic! I have spent the majority of my life not having to think twice about what I eat (I guess I was just lucky) but once I turned 40, had back surgery and became less active physically, it has been a constant struggle! It is not even “one day at a time” but “one MEAL at a time”! You sharing your struggle and success is indeed very inspirational!
Hi Judi!
And thank you! Asparagus is so good for you. And they make so many excellent recipes for it. I am a broccoli girl. My husband actually thinks they taste the same, but I definitely do not.
You were so lucky! My sister is like that. She can eat anything. After kids, I was never able to.
Thank you for your sweet words. I very much appreciate it. I just want you to know you are not alone. Every day is hard. And you are right, every meal. It is just 10:00 in the morning and I all ready want lunch. Darn calories!
I hope you have a wonderful day!
Jenni
Yeah, I like asparagus and broccoli, but I ALSO like chocolate, and pizza, and yes, beer! Just got through eating a piece of cake! I think it really DOES help when you can share your struggles with other people and hear what works for them! I lost 20 lbs. doing South Beach (only to gain 15 of it BACK!) but I think I should really give Weight Watchers more of a try! I like how you’re not as restricted on it as some other diets, and I firmly believe that if you lose the weight slowly and not get discouraged you have a tendency to keep it off longer! Just got to get back on track!
Hi Judi! It is true. At least, I think so. That slow and steady wins the race. Good for you for losing twenty pounds! Now you know you can do it! And you kept five off! I think that is great!
Weight Watchers is so flexible. That is exactly what I need. I like being able to choose how I will spend (or waste) my calories. I love their plan. Such as, I had four points left for maintenance this week. And I spent them on wine. Love the freedom!
I hope you have a fantastic evening!
Jenni
Thank you for sharing this, Jenni! I am in serious awe at your stamina and willpower. What an intense journey you are on. You are so beautiful and so radiant and look so fabulous in all your new clothes!!! And clothes are fun fun fun!!! Super duper congrats on your successes with your weight loss. woo hoo!!
You are so welcome Cynthia! And thank you! You are the sweetest. And, yes, clothes are so much fun. Unfortunately, we are in the midst of family vacation planning, so my clothing budget has been slashed in half for the upcoming months. What is a girl to do? I just have to be very picky! Thankfully, I have much to choose from. And Target is killing it right now with cool patterned sweaters for such a great price!
I hope you have a wonderful night. And I hope Marcy chooses to not give you a special henna tattoo!
Jenni
It really is a daily struggle. I was just thinking how hungry I am and how much I want cereal for dinner even though I’m trying not to eat processed sugars right now.
Congratulations on losing the weight and keeping it off!
Yes! All I want tonight is chocolate (like always and again!). It is such a struggle each and every day. Tomorrow is my weigh in day. With this, comes nervousness, but it also is a fresh start. As Anne of Green Gables said, “Tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet.” And my points start anew! I hope your day tomorrow is free of mistakes and filled with happiness!
Thank you so much for commenting! I very much appreciate it.
Jenni
You always look beautiful! Healthy eating is hard. I am addicted to chocolate too. Ollie looks adorable! My bully likes ice also. She also likes cheese which is also a big favorite of mine as well. Planning meals in advance does help. I need to do more of that. Good tip!
Thank you! You are so sweet! I am sure Ollie would like cheese, but I have never given it to him. He positioned himself right in front of our bedroom fan last night and proceeded to have the worst flatulence I have ever experienced. Can you imagine if he had cheese? Shudder!
Thank you so much for your sweetness and for always commenting! It makes me so happy!
Jenni
I am so impressed with your accomplishment of losing weight! Even more awed by how you are keeping it off. You look great! When I (had the pleasure of) spent some time with you and saw how you seemed to count points and chose what to eat on the spot, I was insprired. You have (again) motivated me, & I hope in a few months I’ll be sharing how 15-20 lbs has ‘melted away.’ Luv ya, AM
Thanks Auntie M! I appreciate that! It was so great to see you. Of course, now I have poppy seed on the brain. I ate four muffins that week. I kind of am in love with the almond flavor. And the pop of the seeds in my mouth. Many calories wasted. ; )
Have a great night. You look great! No need to diet!
Jenni