I'm going to copy/paste the entry that I wrote into my calories counter today and post a few pictures that I took of myself this morning. I don't have a full length mirror, but I did my best to get full body shots of myself!
I am feeling proud and strong. This has been a battle. I will try to put it into words more eloquently at another time when I'm not so tired!
I MET MY GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have lost 55 lbs!!!!!!!!!
I am not skinny. No one would look at me and think that I had the "perfect body" or looked like a super model, but my BMI is now 23 and my goal weight has been reached.
I guess that this is where my real work begins. Truthfully, I thought, "I'm not thin enough though. I thought I'd be so much thinner when I got here..." And I thought, "maybe just ten more pounds..." But I recognize this as disordered thinking. It will be ten now and then ten more and then ten more. I have worked hard to get here and I am going to seriously enjoy my life!
I have lost and gained these same pounds over and over and over again in my life, but this time is different. This time I have unlearned a lot of terrible behaviors and semi-psychotic food guilt and obsession. I moved the focus off of losing weight and onto nutrition and I, for the first time in my entire life, formed a good, healthy relationship with food. This was a battle and I am a WARRIOR.
My new goal is to maintain this weight for 6 months, not going above or below it by more than 3 lbs. I work out 6 days a week and will continue to do so, as I really love it. CC tells me that I need to be eating about 2300 calories a day to maintain my current weight. That's a pretty drastic increase from the 1500 that I generally eat now. I'm increasing my calories target to 1900 per day and I'll see what happens. If I continue to lose, I'll do another increase up to 2300. I'll just tinker with it a bit until I get it right! I'll also stay here and keep aiming for A's on my nutrition grade.
Thank you so much for all of the support. This community has been a lifesaver for me. I could never have made this happen without it. I really appreciate every one of you.
I am not skinny. No one would look at me and think that I had the "perfect body" or looked like a super model, but my BMI is now 23 and my goal weight has been reached.
I guess that this is where my real work begins. Truthfully, I thought, "I'm not thin enough though. I thought I'd be so much thinner when I got here..." And I thought, "maybe just ten more pounds..." But I recognize this as disordered thinking. It will be ten now and then ten more and then ten more. I have worked hard to get here and I am going to seriously enjoy my life!
I have lost and gained these same pounds over and over and over again in my life, but this time is different. This time I have unlearned a lot of terrible behaviors and semi-psychotic food guilt and obsession. I moved the focus off of losing weight and onto nutrition and I, for the first time in my entire life, formed a good, healthy relationship with food. This was a battle and I am a WARRIOR.
My new goal is to maintain this weight for 6 months, not going above or below it by more than 3 lbs. I work out 6 days a week and will continue to do so, as I really love it. CC tells me that I need to be eating about 2300 calories a day to maintain my current weight. That's a pretty drastic increase from the 1500 that I generally eat now. I'm increasing my calories target to 1900 per day and I'll see what happens. If I continue to lose, I'll do another increase up to 2300. I'll just tinker with it a bit until I get it right! I'll also stay here and keep aiming for A's on my nutrition grade.
Thank you so much for all of the support. This community has been a lifesaver for me. I could never have made this happen without it. I really appreciate every one of you.
Congrats!! That is very awesome! and you are totally skinny, nice work! hopefully one day again i can work out as much as you have been. it is indeed a very enjoyable thing.
ReplyDeleteYou look freakin' amazing! I'm so proud of you! You're an inspiration to me. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks guys!
ReplyDeleteAnthony, I have learned that on days that I work out I am unlikely to stress eat. My body just does something else with the stress. I also have really struggled with food guilt, which makes me give up on good health because in order to feel okay I just would need to ignore what I was eating. Working out has also negated this. Learned to love the treadmill has been the best skill I've ever acquired!
Erika, Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I miss your blog!
I miss writing, too, so I know I need to get back to doing it. Life has been pretty busy with my college classes back in session. I'm taking a full course load (4 classes) so I've usually got my nose stuck in a textbook or I'm writing papers and taking part of online discussions in the class forum (required for my grades).
ReplyDeleteI can sort of relate. My life feels very busy and I'm not in school. Just with the school year beginning for the girls. Also, I started working for my dad and have the room parent responsibilities. When I have a few minutes to write I've been working on my cookbook... not blogging. But I want to change that because I have some watermelon pictures that I need to put up!
ReplyDeleteanna, i am so proud of you! you look incredible. more importantly, you are healthy and happy. i love you!
ReplyDeleteYou look and I'm sure feel, awesome Anna. I am so proud at what you have accomplished. I now look to you for my daily inspiration and motivation.
ReplyDeleteYou are so beautiful! Keep us the positive reinforcement! I love you!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Laura - you look awesome! But discovering the joys and benefits of exercise and having a good relationship with food is more important! Congrats!!
ReplyDelete