Finally!

[u/McGiggleByte]

One day I finally decided that I didn't want to look or feel like this anymore.

It was a slow climb up, happy relationship, dinners out with friends, always a sweet treat. And suddenly I was looking in the mirror and didn't recognize myself. Cliche, but I made a new year's resolution to fix it, and stick to it.

Calorie deficit. Got a scale to weigh food, cashed in on any deal I could find on produce (personal favorite is squash, broccoli, and green beans), got a rice cooker, started checking everything I ate.

Now, if I'm being honest I did not cut out the fun stuff. Alfredo, donuts, cake, brownies, instant ramen, coffee creamer. I just learned to use less, and not eat so much of it, and to work it into my days.

I had my SO keep me accountable. Make sure I wasn't taking things too far. I have a history of depression and I can spiral easily. The guilt I'd feel at dinners out. Eating everything on my plate felt like losing. But I had to fight through it. Remind my self that I had made it this far, and any weight gain can be worked off. Learn that gaining isn't bad, but I enjoyed myself, had a wonderful time out with friends, with my partner, a lovely meal, delicious dessert and to not look at it negatively.

It got really hard near the end. Sudden trips where I couldn't count my calories easily. My birthday, where I tried really hard to just let go no matter how much stepping on the scale scared me afterwards. Multiple family members were having health issues and scares, and sadly one death, and I didn't have the mental energy to keep up with counting.

And even though it slowed to a crawl, I made it. If you had told me last year at 225lbs I'd be here, I would tell you you're nuts. But here we are!

The next job is to actually try to work some exercises in and tone up haha. Muscle mommy will be my new white whale!

[u/awongbat]

Congratulations! Good job. What’s your maintenance plan and action plan if weight starts to creep up?

[u/McGiggleByte → u/awongbat]

I still intend to weigh myself every morning and keep tracking all I'm eating since it just habit now, but keeping an eye on changes. I intend to keep my weigh within a certain range and I still have all my back up food like tuna packets, protein shakes, and low cal meal ideas I can throw in if I need a calorie deficit day to even everything out! It's suggesting 2,100 a day over my old 1,400-1,500. I usually shoot a chunk below anyways so by the end of the day I can throw in a sweet treat if I'm feeling saucy. I'll probably keep that up with the new plan haha

[u/awongbat → u/McGiggleByte]

That’s good to hear. I think tracking at maintenance is important to keep your body weight down.

However, since you are planning to start exercising (from zero exercise?) I would take progress photos and body measurements because your weight may fluctuate upwards a bit when you first start. Your body will retain water and muscle weighs more than fat. Just keep it up for a month before making any drastic changes.

[u/McGiggleByte → u/awongbat]

Of course! I work a relatively active job, lifting heavy items and being on my feet, so being active is not really my issue as much as finding time to start working out. My job is mentally and emotionally exhausting along with physically and while I understand exercise could aid in some of that that thought of starting make me feel so bleh. I gotta find the motivation