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Flashback Friday: Who's That Girl?!

Friday, December 18, 2009

who's that girlThat would me...Christmas 2005. I have been reading a lot of posts about ways to avoid overeating around the holidays and New Year's resolutions to lose weight, so I thought I'd come clean about my own battle with the bulge (I was 172 lbs in that photo...I'm shocked just typing that). I wasn't always that big (and, yes, 172 lbs is a lot for a 5'2" frame). I grew up in a very health-conscious household where vegetables ruled the dinner table and us kids were always running around outside. I was also naturally athletic and played sports. I never had a problem maintaining my weight. I gained the normal "freshman 15" in college, but picked up rollerblading and biking to get back into shape. Fast (or fats) forward to 2003...I'm working full-time, wrapping up my graduate program, and launching my own non-profit organization. Needless to say, a healthy diet and exercise was not on my to-do list. The result was a whopping 50 lb. weight gain, plus some scary side effects like sleep apnea and back and joint pain! When I decided to do something about it I knew I needed help. After getting nowhere with my primary care physician, I signed up with an alternative health program where I received nutrition consultations, detox treatments and vitamin supplements to undo years of self-abuse. I also tried many different exercise programs until I found ones that I could stick with (I get bored so easily). Today I am proud to say that I have kept the weight off, including the respectable 20 lbs I gained during my pregnancy. I am sharing all of this in hopes of inspiring other women. Please don't crash diet or buy into some fad program...these will only give you short-term results and in the long run you will gain even more weight. Maintaining/losing weight is a lifestyle change that requires eating right AND exercising...there are no healthy shortcuts. I encourage you to seek advice from a health care provider if you want to achieve weight loss the right way. Many companies are now offering weight loss assistance through insurance and some local hospitals even have free fitness programs. I wish you all good health!

15 comments:

Maureensk said...

Wow! Good for you! I tend to lose weight when I am pregnant as I get so morning sick. Then I gain weight while I'm breastfeeding! :-( It's the opposite of the way things are supposed to work. After five kids, I have not figured out why. It could be that having a baby leaves me too tired to eat and exercise properly or that I am so tired that my metabolism gets messed up (supposedly not getting enough sleep makes one gain weight) or that my body wants to have a certain level of body fat to breastfeed (I have actually read this can be true). Or, it could be all three. I am still struggling with finding an exercise program that doesn't hurt my joints/old sports injuries, fits into my and Persephone's schedule, doesn't leave me so sweaty that I need to shower in the middle of the day when DH is gone, doesn't bore me, can be done during our limited number of daylight hours, etc..... With all of those restraints, I do not stay as active as I would like, though I'm not couch potato either. What forms of exercise are you doing?

Betty Manousos said...

Congrats on keeping the weight off!
It's hard for me to be on a healthy diet and being exercising. I cannot do that.
hugs hugs

Kim @ What's That Smell said...

Wow well done keeping the weight off! I am still trying to lose a bit of the 70lbs I gained with my daughter. I am doing WW and I love it and it works - slowly but that is actually better.

Mommy Boots (formerly KarmaPearl) said...

Good for you!!! I'm looking forward to taking off the baby weight, AND the excess weight I had when I got pregnant (I was 173 at 5'3" when I got pregnant) after baby comes. Kudos to you for losing your weight, keeping it off and being healthy because it's not easy!

keyalus said...

Great story! Whatever you did to lose the 50lbs must have really stuck because you didn't go crazy during pregnancy. That is truly admirable.

I was a chunky child growing up so with the exception of pregnancy I never really gained a ton of weight. I was just never a small girl. I had maintained a 25lbs loss for a few years before pregnancy (shouts out to SparkPeople.com!) and was in the best shape of my life. I guess my mental wasn't completely right though. I figured I was going to get fat during pregnancy anyway so I might as well eat what I wanted!

I have a long road to get back to myself but I'm being realistic about it. I have to stay on point with both diet AND exercise. Thank goodness I love to work out.

Oh yeah - you should try CrossFit if you get bored easily doing workouts and are looking for something new. It is challenging and intense and you do a new workout every day. NEVER boring!

Unknown said...

Thanks everyone for the pats on the back...means a lot!
@ Maureen: when the weather cooperates, I power walk at least 2 miles. I put Marlie in her stroller and go! She naps and I get my exercise. I also have a mini-trampoline. 10-15 minutes first thing in the morning. I put on a really good sports bra and jump, kick, twist away while watching CNN! I add light weights half way through. it's a total body workout.

Felicia said...

Wow! Thanks for sharing your story.

jmt said...

Sharing stories is always helpful, and I am sure that others are thankful that you did.

It's amazing how lifestyle plays a huge part in our health. Continue treating your body right, lady!

Serenityville said...

Thx for the great story. I'm curious how long you've kept the weight off? I am in the middle of my first intentional weight loss in a decade, and am doing it the old fashioned way - slow and healthy. It's working, it feels great, and feels sustainable (especially since I let myself have chocolate every once in awhile). I'm also curious about your graduate program and non-profit business - can you link me to posts about them? happy saturday!

The Redhead Riter said...

"5'2" frame" !!!!!!

OMG You are one of "those" tiny women like my daughter! I'm a monster compared to you!!!

I'm so jealous! No wonder my eyes are green! LOL

However, being the good friend that I am I can honestly say that I'm glad you lost it because your poor little heart was struggling. That is the one thing that always worries me with people being overweight...their heart has so much more work to do.

On a REALLY positive note...your husband loved you when you were overweight, so he is DEFINITELY a keeper!!! Now I think I love him too! LOL

Jen said...

You're an inspiration to me for both getting back into shape (the healthy way!) and getting your grad degree! Both are goals I ultimately hope to attain for myself.

Jen said...

BTW, we're the same height! And you are definitely right, 172 is alot on our little frames. I would know because I was at 170 at my heaviest...

Ma What's 4 dinner said...

I'm proud of you...I've got the exercise thing down, but I love to eat! :) Ok, I admit it, I'm jealous... :)

Wishing you and yours a very happy holiday. Merry SITSmas!

Alex aka Ma, What's For Dinner?
www.MaWhats4Dinner.com

A. Gama said...

You are an inspiring SITSta!

Stesha said...

You did it, my friend! And I can do it too. I just needed a swift kick in the pants. This is the heaviest that I've ever been, and it feels awful. It's all about the lifestyle change and the dedication!

Hugs and Mocha,
Stesha

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