LET'S SHARE OUR SUCCESSES (big and small)....Are you in?

I joined this site a few days ago.  I was looking for a calorie counter and found so much more.  I have enjoyed the Forums and this is my first post.  I have been so inspired by so many of you that I had to share my first success with you.  This may not sound like much compared to so many of you, but here goes:

I went grocery shopping after work today and bypassed all those feel good, comfort foods that I usually gravitate to.  Yes, a small feat, I agree.  But nonetheless, there it is.  Your success stories do have an impact, please keep them coming. 

I started at 185 lbs six days ago.  I am at 178 today.  I imagine this is mostly water weight.  I'll take it!  A long way to go, but ever  grateful to you all!

I joined last night:) I am already a member of another similar site, calorie king.

These sites are fantastic for education and support, I love being able to keep track of my calories and also reading and responding to the forums.

It is also GREAT for people in the fitness and health industry to keep up to date with the questions being asked, and peoples attitudes.

I used to be over weight and unhappy, lost weight and got anorexia, and then finally educated myself about nutrition and fitness which changed, as well as saved my life.

The better my body works the better life can be, so I became a personal trainer and decided to make a career out of helping others as well as myself, discover optimal health

It is an on going process, there is more to learn and apply to my diet/fitness every day

If you ever need advice, or if you have a bad day and need some encouragement then come on here and there are lots of nice people who can offer support:)

Copied from my earlier post:

I can't believe I've made it this far!  40 lbs since April, better than I have ever done.

I'm 5'7", and I have gone from a size 20 or 22 jean to just buying some 12s that fit really well.  I've lost 6" off my waist, 5.5" off the hips, 5" off the bust, 1" off each calf, 3" off each thigh and 2" off each upper arm. 

Now I'm just trying to hang on for those last 15-20, but it is getting harder.  I've been cheating a little more because it's getting easier to say "but I deserve it".  I've not been going over maintenance, but I haven't had quite the deficits I would like either.

I just started the Learn to Run program, so that should help. I'll get to eat more (yay!) and still have some good deficits.

New pictures in my gallery, the white shirt is the most recent.  Feel free to comment!

You are 100% correct about tracking calories.  It is forcing me to make better choices and be more accountable to myself for what I put into my mouth.  :0)

Thank you for your story.  You are a true inspiration.  You have taken a negative (being overweight, then working through anorexia) to a positive conclusion.   Thank you for your support!

thmheh,

You ROCK!  Great story!  I KNOW it wasn't easy!  You lost 40lbs!!!  BELIEVE IT!  I am so happy for you.  I hope to be singing the same tune in 5mos.  Stay focused and keep your eyes on the prize, you only have 15 lbs to go.

I joined in the beginning of this month. I started at 148 pounds and am down to 140. I drastically changed my eating. I completely cut out soda and fast food from my diet, and I think that alone has contributed the most.

I hope to lose 12 more pounds by January, and the rate I'm losing now, I know I can do it.

Congratulations on your weight loss!! Keep it up!

slb537,

Congratulations to YOU!  You will definitely lose 12 lbs by January.  Kepp  me "posted".  :0)

Hello!

I'm trying very hard to not go upstairs and grab myself a chocolate bar.  I just joined this sight and I'm going to look at the calorie counter to see what I've eaten today.  I'm 200lbs and want to be at least 160lbs.  My excuse for the last few years is I've had 2 children, and breastfed so I had to eat "extra" calories.  But, really I had over the amt anyway.  

I've lost at least 10-15lbs but gain it quickly back, then I try and lose it and then gain it back!  I've just started walking/jogging every morning, but tend to snack all day long and eat big meals. 

Well, my craving is starting to pass!

This is a first step!

Sharona :)

Hey everyone,

Well I started 2 months ago. I was so motivated because of an upcoming trip. I leave in 4 days. I went from 174 to 159. I was so happy I hit the 150's lol.... But I started this site about a month ago and it helped me so much. I keep track better and it really helped me keep seeing the scales go down!

But since I started loseing I am ready to lose more!!!

Woohoo!!

I joined cc end of June.  I had already begun losing weight, but this site really simplified it for me, and also gave me a lot of motivation and information.  I  have lost 50 lbs. since May.  I started at 215, and now I am 164!!  This site is very helpful, and free!  

Like Sarona, I had two kids and breastfed.  I let myself eat anything and everything, and when I finally weaned my 2nd it was like a switch went off in my head and I was suddenly motivated! I started exercising, and NOT eating all-day-every-day.  Now I am almost done with the Couch to 5K running program, and I feel better than I have in years!  I am 30 lbs. from my goal, but I feel like a whole new person already!

I joined cc a year ago but lost focus on my lifestyle on the end of the summer.

Today I have not gone over my maintenance  and being here tonight gives me something to do instead of eating :). Way to go every one!

I was 215 April 24th 2008 the day I had my daughter and I started CC July 18th 2008 at 186 and today I am 160 it has been exactly 10 weeks and I have lost 26 lbs. since I have been counting! It feels great! I was 194 pre-pregnancy weight so I have come a long way! I am hoping to be at my goal weight 136 by Christmas this year! :)

I was a former member of cc but I led myself astray down some garden path and am now back at cc ready to go at it again.  I consider it a great success that I did not allow pride or embarrassment to stop me from coming back.  I have recommitted and am happy to say that, in the last 5-6 weeks, I have lost an amazing 15 pounds. 

Welcome back Anneemish & Jo-bee! 

Amazing weight loss by oakmommy24, sarahjo36, kayk_tn &sharona79. 

Although we all have different backgrounds, lifestyles and goals, we do have one thing in common......we want to stay on track.  We want to lose some weight and feel healthier.  As a newbie, these stories are all positive and truly MOTIVATE me.

In my head, it think "Hey! If they can do it, why can't i?"  In my heart, i feel "I CAN do this for ME". 

Please continue to add your daily, weekly or monthly successes (big and small).  One of our stories just may help touch someone out there to "get started" or "remain focused". 

Just came accross this post. I see there are a lot of new members. Do not give up. I swear by this site. I joined Jan of this year weighing 227. I have lost   68.2 pounds and for the first time the CC site says I am at a healthy weight. Oh My goodness. If I can do it, so can you!

Well, I'm very motivated now after reading all the posts. BUT, I'm having a hard time not grabbing a mini halloween chocolate bar every now and then!!  How did you all stay motivated? 

I'm really going to try harder...you can do it, so can I!

I have still been able to enjoy the things I love! just in moderation! I have 300 cals left to eat today so I am going to bake some cookies :)!

oakmommy- hope your cookies were good!

luzinwait - How does water weight come off?  I'm sorry if it's a dumb question :)  I drink a lot of water everyday. 

I'm wondering if I try and keep my daily calorie level at the right amount, and keep walking, how fast would the lbs/inches come off?  I've also found that a bag of chips has a lot of calories!  I've never really kept track of my calorie level, but am finding out some great things now!

I do not deny myself of anything. At first I was more cautious, but now, if I want a cookie or two I eat them, but watch the serving sizes and calories. Moderation and determination will pay off.

Hi Sharona79,

Nice to hear from you :0)  You are very good about drinking lots of water every day.  I am working on that.  I have to retrain myself to drink more water every day.  Some days are better than others.  :0)  

Prior to joining this site, I pretty much ate and drank what ever I wanted in moderation on a daily basis.  Even though I ate in moderation, I always felt deprived because I ate limited amounts amounts of my favorite foods (and beverages).  I just could not understand why I was not losing weight. (???)

I get it now. 

I was fed up with being overweight.  This is what caused me to look into the "8 glasses of water rule".  I am not an expert, but at least now it makes a little more sense to me.

This is what I have learned so far regarding the "water aspects" of dieting.....Drinking lots of water helps our bodies dissolve and transport nutients (and oxygen) which aids in our digestion, metabolism and the removal of waste from our bodies.  The water also helps us to flush out the toxins that are stored in our fat cells.  The removal of these toxins allows us to begin the process of "burning" these fat cells. Since water is critical to our bodies, if we do not drink enough of it, our bodies will store it to prevent dehydration.  When you are dehydrated, your body expels less water and can give you that "bloating" feeling.  

Sharona79.....You have already proven that you can lose 10-15 lbs!  Yyour drinking lots of water daily, not to mention you are walking every morning.  These are all great successes!  You motivate me.  Keep it up :0) 

I feel that for me, losing 7 lbs in 6 days had something to do with me increasing my daily water intake and flushing out those toxins in my system somewhat.  I gotta tell you, if I had known I could have achieved that result, I would have started sooner. LOL!!!

I just started a week ago at 185lbs,.  I have started added water to my daily ritual and amazingly enough do not have that "bloating" feeling that use to follow me wherever I would go.  I have a long way to go......Please keep me "posted" on your progress, I loved hearing from you!

I have lost 20 pounds in the last months and I feel so much better.