Wednesday, September 15, 2010

And now a word from your sponsers...

Is it considered cheating if you use other people's blogs to take up the space in your own blog post? Maybe, but I don't care. These two blogs are worth mentioning for very different reasons.

First, Courtney at Run, Courtney, Run is having a great fundraiser. She runs for Team in Training, which benefits Leukemia & Lymphoma. Many companies have donated some wonderful gifts, so please stop in and give a little money. It's for a great cause and you will be entered to win some fabulous prizes!

Next on the agenda...this weeks weight watchers meeting topic. Now, I haven't been to my meeting this week. So how do I know the meeting topic if I haven't gone yet? It's magic!

Well, ok, not really magic, per se! It's from *Bitch Cakes* blog. Yes, that's her real name! What were her parents thinking?

Ok that's NOT her real name, per se! It's Sheryl. Sheryl has recently made goal and lifetime after following the weight watchers plan for four years! Way to go Sheryl!

Be aware...Sheryl is a "tell-it-like-it-is" kinda gal! I think that's a great thing for a blogger. And she is such an inspiration for everyone!

The meeting topic this week is about getting to goal (hm...the title of my blog! How ironic!). Sheryl talks about the feelings she had in her weight loss journey and about her fears of getting to goal.

So I thought I would talk about my challenges with weight loss and getting to goal.

For my entire adult life, I've been overweight. I've probably been in the 200's for my entire 20's! I was a size 14 my senior year of high school and a size 18-20 consistently throughout college (and thereafter). Hey, at least I was consistent right? *Sigh*

Now, I've always worked out. From the age of 11 or 12, I belonged to something and worked out somehow. In my 200+ lbs, I was doing runs, going to the gym, doing advanced step aerobics classes! I worked out hard!

I always looked at myself as "The Fatest Fit Person!" I could out-work any skinny-mini! Well, there may have been a few that could kick my...well, you get what I'm saying.

So my biggest problem? Denial! Now, I knew I was overweight. How could I not know that being over 200 lbs and in a size 18-20 wasn't overweight. I was in denial how overweight I actually was. At times, I thought I looked pretty darn good! Then I see a video or picture of me and think, "How could that be me?" That must just be a bad picture!

I also didn't think I could lose weight. I knew I could lose 20 lbs. I've lost 20 lbs on Weight Watchers before, back around the year 1999-2000. But I couldn't get below that dreaded 200 lb. mark. That's what I thought was impossible.

So when I started this last and final journey of mine on Weight Watchers, I was a little scared. I had just weighed in at home right about 250 lbs. 250 POUNDS! Men weigh 250 lbs! And overweight men at that!

In February of 2007 is when I began "doing something" again. I was actually afraid of joining WW again and failing. So I thought about Nutrisystem. I've never tried NS before. Luckily for me, I received a call from a cousin at that moment saying she just tried NS! It was fate! I never said anything to her before about thinking about it.

I'm not knocking NS! If it works for you, fine. But my cousin hated the food! The portions were tiny and she didn't like the taste at all! After 3 days, she returned it.

But I was in a quandary! NS was out! What was I going to do now? So for the next 3 months, I tossed back and forth with joining WW. Of course, in May 2007, I decided to go for it. If I failed, then I would be right back where I started! No harm right?

But instead of doing it online, which I'd done before, I decided to join the meetings. This time was it! I said to myself that I was not quitting. It wasn't an option this time.

And instead of looking at the big picture of how much I had to lose, I took it 10% at a time. I wrote on a sheet of paper at work the following goals:

Starting Weight: 251.2
First 10% Goal: 226.2
Second 10% Goal: 204.2
Third 10% Goal: 184.2
Fourth 10% Goal: 166.2

This is where I stopped writing my goals down. I never thought I would ever get that far! And if I did, then I would determine then what I wanted my goal to be.

And I did it. I went with each 10% goal and just kept it up. And I'm so glad I did! I now beat myself up that I didn't start in February 2007 when I wanted to! I wasted 3 months because of fear!

It's always good to have goals. When I set my goal at 160 (the upper weight for my height according to the BMI scale), my goal was to maintain that for a little while. Now that I did, I have re-set a new goal of getting down to between 150-155.

But even if I didn't, I'm proud of where I am now. According to that silly BMI chart (which really doesn't account for may factors), my BMI has reduced from 39 (obese) to 24.5 (normal). That's a huge accomplishment.

Another thing I've learned throughout this journey, is to accept a compliment. I hated getting compliments (because I didn't think they were real). I'd always say "Shut Up!" or something to that effect when I got a compliment.

Now, I've learned to say "Thank you!" That was really hard to do for me!

So thank you to all of you who have read my blog and become my cyber-world friends! And thank you for all of your blogs (if you have them). We all may be on different journey's but you are all inspirational for different reasons!

Now, I must go, because I'm getting a little teary-eyed! That's happened to me a lot more now too. I more emotional!

And I feel as though this post was getting long-winded! I talk too much. My dad has compared me to Edith Bunker from All in the Family (60's or 70's sitcom) for her ability to, while telling a story, drag it out to the very last possible moment because she keeps going and going and going...

...Kind of like the Energizer Bunny...because....

"Stifle it Edith!"

10 comments:

  1. :) Thanks for the comment, and the answer to your question is:

    follow a training plan.

    Seriously. Running that far is difficult, and the only way I'm able to do it is to slowly add miles. Did you follow a plan for your half marathon? You can email me: enduranceisntonlyphysical@gmail.com

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  2. Thanks Tricia. I'll email you.

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  3. Anonymous9/15/2010

    Ok I think you have me sold. Maybe I'll go to the meetings you go to so I'll feel guilty if I don't show up. :) AND if you ever want to join one of Becca and I's future cooking parties you are more than welcome!

    Oh and thank you for mentioning my giveaway and for donating! I really appreciate it

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  4. No problem Courtney! lol. And I'm not trying to sell anyone on WW. That's not really the point but I know what you mean. lol

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  5. You're such an inspiration, Amanda! Just like Sheryl, you never gave up and look at both of you NOW!!!! Whooo hoooo!!!!!

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  6. Yes, I agree with Marisa. You've done an awesome job and GOOD FOR YOU for setting a new goal. I have recently done the same thing, a short-term goal and a 6-week goal! Let's go for it!!!!!

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  7. Normal....what a word I don't think I'll ever fit in to Normal. I think you have done great! Our BMI's are the same! I think the hardest thing to do is normal. I think you should find your HAPPY and when you find your HAPPY everything else will fall into place. So "thank YOU" and keep blogging!!!

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  8. This was an amazing post... I really hate cheapening it with telling you that I gave you a blog award, but I am... :) I have been lurking for a while but publicly subscribed today.

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  9. Thanks Jessica!! I'll go check out your blog...I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy now.

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  10. Hi there! I just found your blog through a post you wrote on "Laura Gets Fit" I thought it sounded like we have some stuff in common so thought I'd check out your blog!

    I am also single, no kids, have two cats and am on WW. I have just started my journey (for the billionth time), but I'm determined (like you were) that this will be my last time. I will get to goal so help me god!

    Congrats on all you have accomplished. I know how hard it is. It's something to be very very proud of!!!!

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