WOO HOO! 10lbs so far....

All, I just want to thank you for all of your support.  I got a lot of responses when I first posted and it was so great to hear all the encouraging comments.  I've reposted my original story below but I wanted to respond with a big WOO HOO! It's been over a month since that fateful Monday Lunch and I've lost almost 10 lbs (starting at 198, now weighing in at 188.9).  I took the suggestions to moderate but I'm still being pretty strict for the first 3 months.  I've found new recipes that I can alter which still taste good low fat and low carb!!!  You guys are awesome!!!  Thanks again!

Monday this week (6/29), lucky to get a rare break for lunch, my girlfriend and I take the opportunity to eat out of the office.  We make light conversation as we head out to the local restaurant complex across the street and we try to decide where to eat.  She wanted to go to some place different because she was trying to eat lighter and watch her weight.  

I suggest a fast food Mexican restaurant as we pass by and she agrees. After we get our food we seat ourselves and start to catch up.  It’s been awhile since we’ve been out to lunch so there was general conversation around work and the kids and husbands.  Suddenly, the conversation turns and she looks serious and cautiously asks if she can share an observation she’s had about me.  I know it must be bad because she keeps saying that if I feel it’s too personal or if she’s stepping over a line I can tell her to stop.  Honestly, at this point, I have NO IDEA what is coming.  You know how your mind begins to race, I’m thinking as she’s still talking, “What is this going to be about…my recent marriage, my attitude at work?”  I resolve myself to the fact that whatever it is I’ll accept the feedback and consider it seriously since I know she’s genuinely concerned for my welfare. As I finish this thought I notice she’s still hedging so I encourage her to just share what she’s thinking. 

She begins, “I’ve noticed you’ve gained a lot of weight in the past year, just since you’ve been married”.  I am painfully aware now of the nacho chip heaping with fixings’ and      dripping queso at my lips.  I hear this voice in my head scream, “OH DEAR GOD”, not in vain but as an actual prayer and then I think, “Can anyone else hear her? Is this an intervention?  Has it really come to this?”  Now my mind is really racing but I can still hear her talking… “I know how the pounds can creep up on you and you might start to think about what you’re doing differently that’s caused you to gain the weight before it gets worse”.  I am feverishly thinking of responses.  Doesn’t she know I’ve been struggling with this for the past year?  That I am no longer able to fit in my clothes, no longer comfortable in public settings because of how uncomfortable I am in my own skin, no longer feeling sexy for my husband?  Then I realize, I’ve not stopped eating.  As this whole scenario plays out I’m still tearing down this mountain of nachos and then it hits me, “Who would know that I’m aware of my weight issue?”  How ironic I’m preparing a response that explains how much I’m struggling with my weight as I’m eating something that’s so obviously part of the problem?

There is a break in the conversion as she gives me an opportunity to respond.  As ridiculous as it sounds I do continue with my explanation of struggle with the weight gain and feeling powerless to change either my eating habits or activity levels.  I’ve always struggled with my weight but at least in the past I’ve experienced success without weight loss programs or diet pills.  I lost 30 lbs, getting down to 127 lbs when I was 25 through exercise and diet changes.  I had my son when I was 27 and gained it all back and more, topping out at 200 lbs when I delivered but I managed to get back down to 160 lbs through exercise and diet again but never could get back to my pre-pregnancy weight.

Then, a year ago, I got remarried and I started cooking meals, a first for me, and watching TV in the evening with the family; in summary, more food, less activity and I’m back to 200 lbs without the baby! I’m sure some of you have had similar experiences and might have responded in different ways but this was a real wake up call.  I know my friend spoke the truth and it was really out of concern for me so I felt absolutely no contempt for her.  However, I think she effectively murdered the voice in my head that use to tell me, “Just get chicken on those nachos instead of beef, that’s healthy!” 

So here I am, day three since the lunch meeting. I guess if I’ve learned anything over the years it’s that I know myself and I know what works for me so I’ve got to start extreme and moderate later.  I’m starting with a three month plan.   I’ve cut out any products high in fat and I’ll substitute with no fat or eliminate all together – that means fat free or no cheese, low carb or no bread, wheat or no pasta.  I’m drinking water exclusively and MORE OF IT (at least 64oz a day), taking a women’s multi-vitamin, cutting out fatty meats and eating only lean – chicken or lean beef.   No fries or potatoes or corn, increasing the amount of green vegetables (lettuce, salads with no-fat dressing or drizzle if fatty and green beans, zucchini, squash, etc.)  I’m not eating past 7pm.  No sweets- I’ve become addicted to GUMMIES so this will be hard for me!  I’ve substituted a couple scoops of chocolate frozen whipped cream when I’m desperate.  I’ll attempt sit ups every evening but I’ll incorporate more exercise once I get a handle on the eating habits.

Let me know if you have any other suggestions or just want to comment. 

congratuations!  Great job!!!!  

spinach is another awesome weight loss food you can add and watch the pounds FLY off!!!  :D 3 cups of the stuff is only 25 calories.

Thanks!!!  I have been eating spinach salads with grilled chicken for lunch and it's GREAT!  I will definitely incorporate more, I really love it!!!  GREAT TIP!

PS My story is, I've lost 16 pounds since I got laid off from my job on 06/05/09.  Hooray for both of us!  (I totally hated that job, too...I couldn't quit because they paid me too well but I was DYING to get fired :) )

WOW!  congrats to you too!!!!  Amazing what we can do when priorities are in order!

Congrats!  *does happy lb loss dance with you*

I actually remember reading your very first post and thinking about how I really hoped that you would succeed in doing this for yourself.  Now to see that you're well on your way and doing great-- that's just really awesome!

Big huge congratulations!

ETA: Hey!  I just realized that I lost my 10th lb today too!  (Though it took me much, much, MUCH longer than you-- my weight loss has been in teeny tiny fits and starts.)  So I can do the happy lb loss dance for myself too!  *dances*  And now I've burned twice the calories by dancing twice!  YAY FOR EVERYTHING!

well done to you.  I lost 10lb in July too and its taken commitment to achieve that.  I am very proud of me so I am sure you are over the moon too!  Stick with it and let us know how you get on in August.

I think it was really brave of your friend to come forward and talk to you about the weight gain.

I'm glad her concern has helped you make better changes in your life and that you've been able to stick to this committment to yourself. Sometimes we just need that kick in the butt to get us motivated to DO something that just nags us in the back of our mind.

Hopefully your healthy lifestyle continues! Congrats!

A co-worker pushed me in the right direction...Except instead of breaking the news gently she said "Dang Ashley, you got fat since you started working here! Lose weight!"

Congrats on your 10lbs already!

I wanted to also let you know that you wrote your story so beautifully! (you should be a writer!) I CAN'T WAIT TO READ ABOUT YOUR SUCCESS STORY!

Well done!