Today is the one year anniversary of my weight loss triumph. I can’t believe it’s been a year…it feels like 10 years ago! I’m happy to say that I’ve kept it all off…fluctuating down a few…and up a few…but pretty much staying at about an average of 132, which is technically 2 pounds less than I was a year ago.
{I tried to stand at the exact same angle as best I could!}
I took the middle picture above during the 2nd phase of the 6 week cleanse, of which ended March 21st of 2012.
I’ve shared also in the other posts that I now enjoy tracking macros, eating til I’m full with Clean Simple Eats. They also sell lots of protein powder flavors including this delicious chocolate protein powder.
It always seems that GETTING the weight off is the biggest part of the battle, with so much focus on how people do it, but KEEPING it off is equally difficult and rewarding all at the same time.
I don’t have a ton of advice or tips other than what I already shared first in my Quick Weight Loss Post, or my Healthy Living post, or my 6 month follow up post, but I will say this: YOU MUST EXERCISE REGULARLY TO KEEP IT OFF.
From my highly scientific trial and error of just ME, I’ve made exercise a non negotiable priority at LEAST 4 days a week. The first 6 months it was 6 days a week without fail. But in the past 6 months, I’ve slacked some weeks and only exercised 4 days most weeks.
But I’m happy to say, I’ve also enjoyed food, and I was worried I wouldn’t be able to enjoy food again AND keep it off. By enjoy, I mean that in the month of December, I ate a whole lotta treats, and I make cookies at least weekly, I get dessert at restaurants, and I eat WAY too many chips when we eat Tex-Mex.
I’ve retrained my expectations of portions, and thinking about my treats and not just eating M&M’s that I don’t even really like…just because I see a bowl sitting there. I don’t have dessert every day, and I try to have fewer carbs with dinners. I just have less rice or pasta and more veggies/meat.
It’s a daily mental battle. Eating and Exercise is for everyone–EVERYONE. It’s a tough game we play with ourselves, a darn hard one that won’t go away…so we gotta decide what is important to us.
Here are just a few things that I try to do that help me:
- stick to eating every 2-3 hours
- keep packs of almonds in my purse
- keep fresh fruit on hand
- make a simple salad for lunch most days
- make whatever for dinner, but eat on a small plate
- lessen the carbs, focus on meat/veggies in meal
- drink lots of water
- dessert during the day is ideal, not every night
- no eating after 7pm (if I’m up late, I just drink lots of water)
- Schedule out my weeks around my exercise time
- weigh yourself just to keep in check…if it’s high, be extra cautious and it goes back down
I’ll admit, though the scale is the same…..I’ve filled out in spots that I’m not happy with. I’m trying to focus on toning myself, but I haven’t tried very hard. I’m sure no one else notices, but I notice spots that a few months ago looked/felt better. I focus too much on the number, and should just monitor myself better. Who knows….
Anyway, I get lots of emails asking about my progress, also asking for tips on the hcg method I used to lose weight, and I get to cheer people on as well–that has been fun! Also fun to hear the success stories from others brings me joy. I’m not a poster child, nor do I want anyone to feel accountable to me just because they read my story and they may or may not have sustained the regimen. We each find success in our own way.
If I can inspire you to change habits, then I’m happy to. I still can’t believe that I’m in this body, that I actually LIKE the way I look, when really I was never satisfied before…even before I had babies. I’ve still got jiggles, and I still drool over amazing stomachs (I’ve seen people with 4 kids have amazing stomachs–it CAN happen!) but I feel really good.
My small bit of advice if you are struggling to LOSE weight–it is more about what you eat than how you exercise. Exercise is important, but if you are eating daily treats and exercising, you likely won’t lose much..even if you are counting calories and staying low. You HAVE to change how you eat to lose. I’ve found that maintaining–keeping up my exercise is what keeps me the same–even if I don’t eat so great all the time.
Thanks to those of you who care enough to ask about my progress, it’s been a great year where I’ve felt stronger, more energy, and just pleased with myself in how far I’ve come…and that I’ve been able to maintain.
If you’ve never tried protein powder, start with this chocolate protein powder!
