CTW the Weight Loss Battle

Today I have been thinking a lot about my weight loss journey…or perhaps battle is a better way to describe it.  Seven (7) years ago I weighed 280 lbs., had just turned 40 years old and was going through divorce.  I want to mention first that my weight in no way impacted my divorce as some women, myself included, blame themselves for most everything including being at fault in a situation such as divorce when in reality it is much larger than that.  I think there must be something in our internal genes that gives us this lack of confidence; nonetheless, my weight had nothing to do with it so please don’t link the two together.

Once I decided to lose weight I joined a local Weight Watcher Program.  They had a six (6) week special promotional running and I felt like this would give me the confidence and accountability I needed to tackle this tough situation.  However, as you will recall from my previous post, I was going through divorce and money was not readily available for me continue the program after six (6) weeks.  So basically, I joined, received all of the information and then continued the program on my own.  This turned out to be the best idea I ever had and it was exactly what I needed!

I also began an exercise program.  Again, something I initiated on my own due to lack of funds.  I decided to start walking.  The only investment this required was one of time.  I was so heavy that I would get up at 5:00 a.m. to walk before work.  Looking back I think I was embarrassed about my size and walking this early in the morning allowed me to do so without an audience.  The lack of confidence monster rearing his evil head once again.  Anyway, I started out trying to do a mile, which I will say was very difficult.  It would take me about 45 minutes to slowly walk the mile…but I continued the journey and today I can walk a mile in about 13 minutes, which isn’t that bad.

I can reflect back on so much of this journey, like times when I struggled the most, times when I experienced the most success and milestones I reached along the way.  This morning I weighed 164 lbs, which means over a seven (7) year period I have lost 116 lbs.  My goal weight is somewhere between 145 lbs and 150 lbs., given my age of 47 years and my height of 5’4″, which means I need to lose somewhere between 14 and 19 lbs to reach goal. 

I have struggled along the way with losing this  last amount of weight.  Last year during the holiday season I gained about 10 lbs.  I only lost that of recent…hopefully not to regain it and continuing on the path to goal.  What a struggle!

I also went from a size 24 to a size 12!  My goal is at least a 10…maybe some 8′s.    

By taking my time and losing the weight slowly I developed better eating habits, which required a lifestyle change, and more control, not only with eating but other areas of my life.  Since this was such an overwhelming amount of weight to lose, I decided to lose it slowly and exercise which in turn allowed my skin to adjust slowly to the change.  I would encourage all who need to lose a lot of weight, like I did, to think about all of the consequences that follow this weight loss and develop a plan that help you to reach each goal…such as a change of lifestyle.

My thought for today is weight loss and maintenance will always be a struggle for me.  I know this…but with this knowledge I am Choosing to Win at this journey!  I am grateful to all who have encouraged me along the way! 

If I can do this I know that all of you out there who are struggling with this issue can as well!  CTW!

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