I did it! I hit my goal yesterday!!!!
I've been using CC since last fall and finally got to my goal weight yesterday! My highest weight was about 5 years ago at 248 and about 4 years ago I started this whole eating/living healthier and lost 110 lbs and got to 138. But I STOPPED tracking my food when I got to my goal weight and within a year I was back up to 198. I was so frustrated after working SO hard and kind of gave up for awhile.
Then last fall I got a severe kidney infection and was sick for almost 2 months and lost 21 lbs from being sick. Not being healthy was scary and I decided to use the 20lbs as a jump start into a new lifestyle.
The day I started CC I weighed 177. While it wasn't 248, it still wasn't easy, especially since I'd been there before. But I stuck it out and was honest with everything I ate. Before long the weight began coming off and yesterday I reached my goal weight of 130. So in total from when I started CC, I've lost 47 lbs but in all...from my heaviest 248, I've lost 118lbs. (Almost another me!)
As for excersise, I try to make sure that I get at least 30 minutes of cardio everyday and 60 minutes a few days a week. There were two pretty big plateaus...which STUNK, but I kept logging and eventually I worked through them.
Now I HAVE to learn how to maintain this weight and healthy lifestyle. I think my biggest pitfall last time was that I thought I could start eating junk food here and there and worst of all...like I said I stopped keeping track of what I ate. Ive really learned that I'm one of those people who just can't eat anything. Plus I'm 41 and this dieting isn't getting any easier!
I do have to say, that yesterday after I got on the scale and saw that I hit my goal. I went upstairs and put on the one pair of size 20 pants that I had kept and WOW...all those feelings of being ashamed and trying to avoid people came flooding back. I truly hated myself back then, for doing that to myself. That's sad.
But after I put my size 5's back on...I started thinking about how much more active I am now and how I love to go out! I'm actually living the life I want now. I don't now if this is OK to say...but now that I'm no longer ashamed of my body...the sex with my hubby is GREAT and we have rekindled a lot of passion in our relationship! That almost makes it worth it right there! But there are so many more things, like...I can be in photos with my kids and not feel ashamed or try to hide behind them. I think there were 2 years in there where I wouldn't even let anyone take my photo. :( I can go shopping without getting mad at myself. I can look in the mirror and smile.
So to all of those just starting, stuck on a plateau or just slowly working your way down...let me tell you its all worth it. I don't miss eating junk. I enjoy working out and I think I have finally developed a new and healthier relationship with food...I think of it as fuel. And I NEVER reward myself with food for any job well done or goal reached. I will, however, go shopping or get my hair done, lol.
I really wish...I was gonna say good luck, but "luck" has nothing to do with it...it's just plain old hard, frustrating work...but like I said, it's SO worth it.
Nicole
Bacardi870 you just rock! Wow, did your message ever hit home for me today! Just what I needed to hear! I'm on the slow path toward the same amount of weight loss as you've achieved, and I'm nowhere near my goal yet, but your story has truly given my day a lift! I've only lost 47 pounds, so far, with several really stubborn plateaus.
Hearing someone's done what I want so dearly to be able to do really gives me a lift! Thank you so much for sharing your story!
And to all the others who have added their thoughts on your success, I identify with many of you, too! Thanks to you all for sharing -- it all adds up to one terrific blog, today!
Congratulations -- I hope you are awarding yourself something really wonderful for your success! (Besides holding up the size 20 clothes and feeling VERY triumphant! LOL) Stories like yours make this site such a treasure, and your story stands out as one of the more Special ones, for me!
Congratulations on reaching your goal. I no longer wish I could reach my goal - I know I will. You are a great inspiration. I just wish I had done this 25 or 30 years ago. Like you, I lost and regained weight many, many times. Now I know that giving up never should have been an option. Like you, I found it difficult to resist the junk, even when I ate healthy. I really wonder if it is possible to have a kind of addiction to sweets. I still have a lot of weight to lose to get to my goal, but if I can say anything ... especially to all the younger people out there .....please do it now .... don't wait til you are old! Life would have been so much better if I had been this determined years ago. I look back and see lost opportunities - please don't let this happen to you. I am going to keep repeating your words to myself, "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels!" Thank you!
Congratulations Nicole! Your last paragraph reminds me of what I once heard former President Clinton say: "I've heard people say I'm 'lucky'. Actually, the harder I work, the luckier I get." As you can see, all of your very hard work paid off. I am so very proud of you!
Your post has been a real inspiration to me!! I started CC a week ago and have lost 3 lbs. My highest weight was 287 last October :-( Today I am at 249!! While I am very proud of myself for the weight loss I still don't go anywhere I will run into people. These last three years I have almost become a hermit. Totally embarressed about my weight. I can't believe I let myself get to that point. Well that is going to all change. In July I am going to an outdoor concert and I am going to be proud of my weight loss!! I will still be a long way from my goal but I am on my way~!!!
I enjoyed reading your story--thanks for sharing it! My weight numbers have been a little similar to yours. In fact, I just weighed in at 175, which represents a loss of 55.4 since last summer. I'm still in the game, but not surprisingly my rate of loss has slowed a bit. I like reading stories like yours to keep me motivated and encouraged. You look great!
What an excellent story. Thanks so much for sharing.
You are a ROCKSTAR!! Finding the real you inside the "colorful thin candy shell" is so empowering, isn't it? Good for you for taking care of yourself:)
YAY!!!!!!!! SO AWESOME!!!!!!!!
OMG! I am sooo proud of you! Our goals are about the same so this is really an inspiration! 
Thanks for posting this
Way to go!!! You've traveled the long, hard road and found it to be exactly what you needed to do and you are worth it!!! Congrats!! Keep on keepin' on! I always love hearing success stories and yours is fabulous! Especially hearing that you now love working out! Many of us find that to be true as well! You've proven that it works if you work it! It's not a cake walk, but it CAN be done!! Again, way to go!!!
Congratulations!!!!!!! That's amazing you got to your goal weight! :D
Congradulations! I have yo yo'd all my life. Your plan sounds like good advice. I think this time I'll take it. Thanks and again congrads.
Congratulations ! you should be very proud of you
Thank you SO much for sharing your story! It is just what I needed! I am at a plateau and letting myself get down, but your story – with similar weight and age numbers made me feel so much more hopeful! Thank you VERY much!!! I feel ready to “get back on the horse” and not give up.
I know if you stick to your new healthy habits you will be able to keep it off! I too in the past have felt that once the goal weight was achieved the “diet” was over – only to my peril!! I know now that once I reach my goal weight – basically I can’t change anything – the “diet” never ends, but I have made myself healthier and happier!
Congratulations to you and I wish you the best!
Congratulations!!!
Your post is what I want to read as well, you're really my inspiration!! I was stucked in plateau and really happy that I can get out it finally. Now I'm working hard, control my eating habit and hope that I can have the same feeling like yours one day.
I'll try and thank you for posting this awesome article here. It inspires many of us here.
Thanks again
Your positive attitude is infectious and inspirational. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Btw, you look absolutely perfect in your profile pic! What a great bod :D
Great great great great job! We are all proud of you! :D
