2008- review your year!

What were your weight goals for 2008, and did you achieve them? what did you learn this year that you will take with you going forward into 2009? and what goals do you have for the upcoming year?

for me, my goal was to lose 22lbs (10 kgs) & I have lost 23 lbs thus far. I started off at 207.2 lbs, and now weigh 184.1. I am just under 5'9".

I have learned to look at my weight loss over 2 months, or even more, and not on a day to day or even weekly level, as sometimes I would go 6-8 weeks trying hard but losing nothing. then I would drop 2-3 lbs and then nothing again for a few weeks. This no longer discourages me, but encourages me to be persistent and know that hard works pays off eventually.

I've also learned that it's no use eating less than my body needs in the hope of speeding up my weight loss, but rather to eat what I need to have the energy to exercise, be active, and enjoy my life rather than making the focus of every day what I'm going to eat. I've learned to be flexible. to eat the chocolate if it's what I feel like! because feeling deprived isn't how I want to live!

most importantly, I've learned that I don't have to wait until I reach a magical number on the scale to be happy with myself. I think I am beautiful now, even though I might have bigger hips than I would like. I've learned to embrace who I am now and choose to be content. Weight loss is important or my health's sake, but it has no bearing on my satisfaction with life.

Going forward, this year I'd like to lose 24lbs to take me to my goal of 160lbs.

share your story, the ups and downs and let's all be encouraged!

I started out the year in a job that I hated with two goals:  to get a new job and to stay off cigarettes.  I managed to stay off the cigarettes, but since my job involved wearing scrubs all day it was easy to stay in denial about all the weight I was gaining.  When I got the new job and didn't wear scrubs to work any more, I was forced to re-evaluate myself and my weight and what it would mean to my health.    Now here I am, finishing up 2008, still of cigarettes, with a much better job, 36 pounds lighter, and in better health then I've been in years.  I have a husband that loves me enough after 25 years to renew our vows.  I think that makes for a pretty good year.  I feel very blessed.

I will turn 50 in 2009.  It doesn't sound as bad as it once did.  My goals for 2009 are to greet my 50th birthday at a healthy weight and not be ashamed to wear a bathing suit in public any more.  I don't expect to be a bathing beauty; that ship has sailed, and that's ok.  I just want to be healthy and enjoy life with my husband.  My other goal is for my job.  I love my job but I hate the commute.  I hate interstate and beltway driving and would love to be able to do this job in a town closer to where I live.  There is a closer office, so I'm looking for an opening there.  My final goal is to run in a 5K before the end of 2009.

My year was interesting to say the least. I've had different weights and different jobs.. At the beginning of the year i guess you could say i had an ED mindset. i severely restricted and ruined my social life in the process. I began the year around a size 4 and around 118 lbs (down from about 6 months earlier when i was a size 10 around 140-145). I worked at a stressful job as a recruiter for an investment bank which required long hours/traveling. In March found a new less stressful job (yeay) in HR. In April i got engaged... i suddenly started gaining weight, and it came on fast, no matter what i ate. (i guess this was the consequences of screwing up my metabolism). finally decided to LIVE LIFE and stop restricting and go out w/ friends, etc.... i figured i was gaining weight anyway no matter what i did, why not be happy? So by the fall i was back up to about 135, and size 8... and switched jobs again working at a university (financial services was just too shaky). Currently around 135-140 and between an 8-10. But, finally decided to work on being happy with myself. I work out, allow myself the occasional treat, and i am not going to have food run my life anymore.

For 2009 I just would like to be happy: with myself, get settled into my job, and wedding plan! :) I am not going to focus on my weight, instead, my health.

Hi

2008 - I lost about 15lbs. I can run 3-4 hours (slowly....!!!) and I am closer to being able to participate in a ultra-marathon 2009. I have upped my weight lifting to 2-3X per week.

But, I would say that I am still not any closer to getting the stress eating and effects of stress under control.  Can you say ice cream, cookies, baked goods, etc.? It is frustrating because I know it won't make me feel any better but I still gravitate towards it.

Weight wise--I have lost about 28lbs.  I wanted to be under 200lbs by the end of the year, but im at 224lbs right now. 

good things about 2008

-found out i am insulin resistant and got put on some good medication

-found out that restrictig my calories isnt everything--i have to cut out sugar and processed food to make any progress.

-after years of being PAINFULLY shy, I have gotten up the nerve to apply to live in the dorms next year at school.

--I have started wearing makeup which i never did as a teenager.

--Im starting to feel more confident speaking up and having an opinion.

--just joined facebook so that i can connect with people.

Goals for 2009

--i hope to lose at least 60lbs in 2009.

--i want to move into the dorms

--i want to have the true college experience and make lifelong friends

2008 has been a fantastic year for me. I started my journey January 27, 2008 at 277 pounds. I'm currently at 194.2 pounds for a total loss of 82.8 pounds! Not only have I lost weight, I've also learned to eat healthy and have taught my kids to eat healthy. We do more things together than we ever have and are happier. I no longer have issues with ibs now that i've changed my eating habits and I'm not tired like I used to be.

My goal for 2009 is to get to a healthy BMI, somewhere around 130 pounds depending (i'm 5'1"). I hope next year is as good as this year has been!

2008..this first year I actually became aware of my weight.  Seriously, before this time I never once thought about my weight and always enjoyed food and my body.  I'm glad I was brought to awakening when I was though, I enjoyed my highschool years without all that extra body image drama.  Guess it was because I was always active in sports! Anyway..

When I came to college, I gained weight.  A lot of it apparently, on top of the weight I gained when I went on summer vacation (again, didn't realize it until it was pointed out).  Lost weight, gained some, and am losing it again.  It's kind of on going.  This will definatley be something I will be aware of for the rest of my life now.  It's kinda strange, because I'm sure there are people out there who aren't aware of their eating habits..it's kinda less stressful to know.  They do say ignorance is bliss, but without realizing that weight does matter (especially knowing medical conditions and of course a little bit is vanity) I wouldn't even be here.  I would probably stick with my unhealthy eating habits, and wonder why I looked the way I did, because in all honesty I didn't know a thing about dieting pre 2008. 

Awakenings are kinda hurtful at first, but they do the trick.  My dad was the one to notice me, and so was my mom.  They're concern got me to loose weight, but I did it for them initally.  That's why it was easy to gain it back.  Now, I'm doing this for me.  For my well being, health, and longevity. I was in yoga class today realizing how wonderful I felt moving my body instead of crammed in a room studying (which I was shortly after). 

So, I'm new to this.  It's been an interesting journey so far.  I learned that I love to move my body, new healthy food alternatives, a budding interest in cooking, and just new thoughts and ideas in general.  So, at 5'3 and 121lbs.  I can say I'm pretty satisfied. Wouldn't mind loosing a couple vanity pounds, but I am in no hurry.  I'm taking it slowly, still opening my eyes for new things and just working it out.

So, I'd say weight-wise it's been an eye-opener. Everything else..that's another story. :)

I started 2008 with a goal of getting healthy and losing weight. I put on 25 pounds in my first two years of marriage. I was 160 at 5'6".  People were asking me if I was pregnant! I went to yoga retreat to get started. I was great motivation and built strength. I ate healthy food and got a new perspective on food.

So I started around 160, and began walking an eating low carb high fiber diet. LOTS of greens, dairy, whole grains and fish. I logged exercise and counted calories like crazy every thing I ate practically all year went in. I went from 2300 a day to 1500 a day or so. I started walking and doing elliptical and graduated to running and walking almost everyday. In July I ran a 5 mile race easily! I never ran before 2008!!!!

I lost 25 pounds after six or seven months of serious commitment. I found out in September that I am pregnant

SO I HAVE TO GAIN 25 pounds for my baby.  How funny is that. I am so happy that I lost that weight and I am totally healthy going into this.

I still run and walk a lot, but I am falling off the wagon in some ways, I have been craving sugar and salt and have been eating way too much of it and gaining too fast. All that restricting is messing with me. I am back to cc to make sure i am getting the nutrients and calories i need that are healthy and not just the empty ones.

It sure isn't easy as far as the eating goes. The exercise got easier and more fun.

and for 2009... gain the 25 pounds and not too much more for the baby, keep exercising throughout my last two trimesters and to eat more greens and healthy foods. Cut back the sugar, starches and sodium. I hope to be back at my initial goal weight 135 by next December. (Hope to have healthy delivery in June '09)

2008 went wonderfully for me! I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl on April 24th! And since then I have lost 74 lbs.!

I only have 4.7 til my goal weight and hope to reach it before 2009!

Started 2008 at 250 and hope to end around 185 for a total loss of 65lbs.  First 4 months of the year got me to about 215 and the remaining 8 months to do the rest.  A bit frustrating at times with the recent losses not coming as fast as the first few months.  I'm 5'8" and for the first time in 25 years (I'm 45) I'm under 190lbs.  I've also spent quite a bit of time at the gym and I'm in much better shape than I've ever been in (probably since high school.

in terms of weight, i'm pretty much exactly where i was a year ago, trying to lose the proverbial last five.

that's pretty unimportant though.  i went from almost completely sedentary to regularly hiking 3 - 4 hours or more and running up to 6k (i could do 10, i just haven't).  i also finished the course work for my masters, and i'm well on my way to finishing my thesis (should have a first draft before the end of the year). 

honestly, i could care less that i failed to irreparably shatter the 140 barrier.  that will come - or it won't.

2008's been a great year for me.  I've lost 74 lbs. since I joined CC in March.  I exercise 6 days a week.  I've run in three road races this year and I turned 40 last month.  I am now a healthy weight, though I'd still like to lose 5-7 more pounds.  Hopefully, I'll lose that last bit in the first month or two of 2009 and then can switch over to maintenance mode.  There is no way I would have been able to lose all of this weight in such a relatively short amount of time without the help of CC.  I have become accountable for what I eat and I have gained a tremendous amount of support, encouragement, and inspiration from the other members here.  My thanks to everyone for helping me to turn my life around!!!

Well, I lost my drive/incentive this year after losing 20+ pounds. The weight has crept back on and I tried going back to WW but couldn't get up to speed with counting points again. I am 79 and when I complained to my son about putting on the few pounds in my stomach area he said "Mom, you're not in a beauty contest, don't let these 7 pounds get you down. But they do. I am just plain tired and do not get out to walk because of the winter snows.

started out on this site about 4 1/2 months ago and lost 54lbs so far, aiming to loose the last 50lbs by my birthday at the end of april

Well, I started the year without any serious thoughts of dieting or changing things.  I bascially ate whatever I want until August, and that led to a weight gain.  I don't know exactly what I weighed at the beginning of the year, but it was probably around 190, maybe a little less, maybe a little more.

I ended up gaining quite a bit of weight.  I got up to about 210 over the summer because I didn't watch what I ate, and I didn't get any exercise.

That changed in August.  I moved out of my parent's house, to a new town, a new school, and fell into a rather serious depression.  The loss of appetite that accompanied the depression led to weight loss, and I ended up getting control and actually exercising, counting calories, and losing weight healthily.  This morning the scale said 183.4, so although I don't weigh very much less than I did in January, I've lost quite a bit.

This year had its fair share of ups and downs. I have managed to be a non-smoker for over a year, I have began my dream job which is unfortunately a major dis, I have celebrated my first anniversary with a wonderful and somewhat nerdy husband, and I have gained around 45 lbs. and I have been diagnosed with major and reoccurring depression. The most major, proud of myself, glorious accomplishment..........at the ripe old age of 52, I went from an eighth-grade drop out with a GED to a college graduate!!!!!! I now have my BA in sociology with a minor in criminology. You know what? I imagine that I just might keep on going. Wadda ya think?

willfull

Hi,

Mayby a few hints on weight loss :-

1) Don's worry on how much you loose on daily basis

2) Just carry on the weight loss program as per plan , be it cardo , walking,etc

3) Just weigh onece per week and if not loss just don't worry but carry on

4) Eat as usual just to feel not hungey . Hopefully less fatty and sugery food

5) Eat less for dinneer , say half of what you eat at Lunch

6) Avoid supper . If really hungry take soft fruits like watermelon , mediam size banana , etc...

7) Try not to eat fater 8pm .  

9) Apart from your regular exercise during the day , do light walking adfter dinner for about 30minutes.

10) Remember to drink white water between 2-3 litres per day . If u are more than 80kg , ideally to drink about 3litre or more  not exceeding 5 liters.

11) Duing food try have 1/4 of your plate / bawl with green vegitables apart from fish or meat . Try avoid too much fired food but go for cooked/boiled/grilled food during Lunch/dinner.

 Keep on and you will loose weight ...goal to loose between 0.5kg - 1kg per week will be ideal.

Happy Trying..........

Andy

I decided to do something about my weight.

I gave up drinking.

I drastically reduced my food intake.

I changed my food intake to predominately fruit and vegetables.

I'm trying to learn more about health and weight loss every day.

2008 was a weird year. I had had 10 surgeries the year before to fix my arm, it was crushed in a motor vehicle crash. I got the final cast off in early December and was celebrating freedom and seeing a light at the end of my physical tunnel. I was walking every day and I had lost 9 pounds by February.  Then I found out in March that the bone wasn't healing right and that I needed more surgeries, I was pretty bummed out. I had 5 surgeries in May of 2008 and spent the summer in a cast. My daughter was home this summer and she and I tried Atkins, she lost 17 pounds in 2 weeks and I lost 11 but, sticking to that was really hard (I LOVE Pepsi!) So, since August I have gained and lost the same 5-6 pounds. I am realizing that you cannot eliminate one food group and expect to stick to a plan. I joined CC in Nov 08 and have found 3 friends, I  enjoy writing to them as we learn of each others goals. This is a lifetime change, it's not a one time diet to reach a short term goal. As I look to 2009 I need to remember that Pepsi Cola will not need to ask the government to bail them out if I quit drinking Pepsi.............hahahahahahahaha!!!!

I am battling hyperthyroid as well as PCOS and am taking lot of medicines. When I started with my weight loss resolution , I weighed about 164lbs. I came down to 161 in about three months. Then it stopped and stabilised. All through summertime , I walked 4 miles fives times a week, played tennis once a week and swam thrice a week and led a pretty active life. But I never went down 161 mark. However even that was something to feel happy about as I had also gained control over my diet. But then one day about two months ago , I sprained my ankle real bad. For a week I had to give my leg complete rest.  I had to stop walking , exercising etc. One week extended to 15 days . For about one month I stayed inactive which also led to loss of motivation. Though I still can not stretch my right foot the way I can stretch my left one  and the healing process is rather slow but I have resumed my physical activities  now. During the period while I remained inactive , I went back to bad dietary habits like eating butter toasts every morning , munching something throughout the day ( though i tried to stay focussed on fruits only ) ,eating  Pizza once a week regularly. My weight shot upto 165 within two months. All that was done with so much hard work was undone and now I have more to do than before. Because of snow , I have stopped going out for long walks . Instead I try going to the gymnasium for about half an hour everyday . However because of lack of motivation , I give gym a miss many a times.  I am also trying to get back to my regular Yoga exercises. Having read the accounts above me , I feel more energised and motivated. I hope I get back to the track and lose weight.