50 lbs. in 6 mo. at CC + healthy BMI!

For the first time in my adolescent or adult life, my BMI now falls in the 'healthy' range.  About a year ago, my weight was the highest ever and I genuinely believed that unless I subjected myself to a starvation diet or punishing multi-hour workouts, there was no way for it to change.  It seems silly now and I am still not entirely sure how my attitude changed so much.  Anyway, I lost the first 25 pounds on my own over about six months before I started counting calories in earnest here at CC at the end of February.  Since then, I have lost another 50 pounds.  In total, I weigh 75 pounds less than I did a year ago.  (I would still like to lose another 20 pounds or so, but I digress.)

I guess I am posting this both in the hopes of motivating others who are closer to the mindset I started with ("waaaa!!  there's no hope for meeee!!) and also to help convince myself that it is true.  I guess I always thought I would be more excited when I hit a 'healthy' BMI rather than just feeling like, "okay, what's next?", but I get the sense from reading other posts that this feeling is normal.  Anyone else a little in denial about how far they've come?

That is completely awesome! Congratulations :) Could you describe what your calorie range and exercise is like? And you should post some before/after pictures!

I can definitely understand the denial thing. Since January I've lost 38 pounds. I guess it just doesn't FEEL like it. I'm still wearing a size 18, but I now realized that I just shopped around and bought 18s that fit me, instead of actually fitting into an 18 at a regular store. I'm also in the "regular" department instead of the plus department for pants as well. I should really try on the 18s I was wearing at the onset of this whole thing and see how they fit...I squeezed myself into them too. I just didn't want to buy a size 20! Though that's probably closer to what I was wearing..

Anyway, now that I'm done with my rambling...congratulations! And I agree with jackattack, post some pictures! :D

Thanks for the encouragement, you guys. 

I have some 'before' pictures that I could post, but my camera died last winter and I can't afford a new one, so I don't have any 'afters' yet.  I guess I could just buy a one-time-use camera, but I guess I'd feel a little silly asking my bf to take my picture for that purpose anyway.  I think he's probably already a little sick of fielding the "do I really look any different?" question, too, but at least he's a good sport about it.

And, elfkittie, I know what you mean about sizes and shopping around.  I felt like I was stuck in 16s and 18s forever, probably because I started out closer to a 20 as well.  Funny the mental gymnastics we do without even noticing.  I'm now a 10 or 12 depending on the brand (10 at Old Navy, so I assume 12 pretty much anywhere else), though, but I still feel like I look the same.  If I pull the size-18s-that-were-probably-closer-to-20s, though, they are like CLOWN PANTS!!  You should find yours and try 'em on again.  Definitely gave me some needed perspective!

oh corey am really happy 4 u

 u r such an inspiration and u gotta b proud of ur journey and dedication

u did it and have the rest of ur life to enjoy it and keep the weight off

good luck on the rest of u r journey

That is wonderful!! That is one of my goals.  I have been showing as morbidly obese for so long..NORMAL range would be awesome!!

KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK AND THANKS FOR THE WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT!!

I too hit a milestone.  I started out in the obese range (here I thought I was just chubby).  It has taken my since January to lose 33 pounds.  Now I am in the healthy range.  I still have about 5 to 9 pounds to go, so I see a light and hopefully I will make it before the year is out.

Good luck to you and stay strong!

I too lost a great deal of weight with the use of calorie-count. In addition, I also lost 30-40 lbs before I started here. This place is a godsend! I have approximately 500 tags and counting.  It really helped me to keep track of EVERYTHING  I ate. It took me 14 months but I lost 80 lbs. I kept the weight off for more than a year and then decided to gain just 10 lbs because I felt that a size four was too small for my 5'6" frame. Of course, I let it get out of hand and have now gained 30 lbs. I am in the process of losing the extra weight - is harder this time - but doable. My good motivation is looking for clothes at a certain store...at my top weight i was always looking for the LARGEST size available on the table. After my big loss, I found myself looking for the SMALLEST size on the table. That was a momentous occasion – I actually had tears well up right there in the store. I will get back there before my birthday (I will be 60) in December.

congratulations, coreyander! I have come upon my first year anniversary of losing 30 lbs. I still wake up in the morning thinking I must have gained the weight back, but I have learned and like some better eating habits, so the scale is still my new friend as the dial hovers between 155 and 160. I would like the scale to hover between 150 and 155, but I guess that will be up to me and not the scale. For good or bad, I have stubborn set points.

I used calorie count the whole way. It's amazing you lost 25 on your own. I was never honest with myself or ignorant as to where those calories were lurking.

It seems that I have only lost one size from a 12 to a 10, but I think I was really a 14, but refused to purchase any.

Congrats to you! I too have lost around 80lbs.  I started to lose the weight in 2005 when I graduated from college.  I went into a deep depression and used the gym as my cureall.  I have kept most of the weight off, but have had my ups and downs with the scale.  I am currently at the lowest weight I have been since I was in elementary school (OK maybe im exaggerating a little there), but like you Im not happy, or should I say ecstatic about my weight loss.  I still see myself as the "Big Girl"  I used to be.  Everyday is a struggle with my weight.  For the rest of my life I will have to work out and watch what I eat.  Maybe that is what takes away the happiness... Knowing our fight isnt over.  Good luck to you!  Keep up the good work and maybe one day both of us will be able to look at our accomplishments and finally be HAPPY!

Coery, that's fabulous!!!  You should be so proud!  Enjoy your new health and smaller size!

Thank you for your post! Yes, it is a motivation for people like me (who get soooooo easily discouraged!) and I thank you! I love CC! My biggest prob is working out (we have a love/hate relationship, lol) and I'm just wondering how much did u work out?

Thanks and congrats!
Nichole