Two kids and almost five years later, I'm finally seeing results.
Y'all... did you know making a lifestyle change to be healthier takes time? It's not something that's going to happen overnight. It's definitely not going to happen three months into you making the decision to get healthy.
I'm not telling y'all this to bring you down. I want to tell you this to encourage you. Because if you stick with it, change will happen. I want to share this with you because I'm still struggling with this. I look at pictures of how I was in 2006, and I get myself upset because of how "tiny" I was. Then I look at this:
This was May 2011. 4 years ago. This was me at my heaviest. I'm not proud of this. In fact, it repulses me pretty greatly, and my husband has even said "I didn't realize you had gotten THAT big". Ouch. "That" big. Granted, he loves me no matter what size I am, but he has said since then that he's glad I'm getting healthy. He's glad that I'm doing this for myself.
At that time I weighed close to 245 lbs. Heck, I may have even been pushing the 250 mark. This was also a little over a year after having Zander.
I'm here to tell you that I did try the fad diets. I tried losing weight quickly. It all came back and it came back almost double from what was lost. What works? Exercise, eating right, and drinking water. Plain and simple.
Here I am at 185 lbs today.
I still have problem areas. I'm still working on my belly fat. However, I'm much happier with the way I look and more importantly the way I FEEL today. I actually have better muscle than what I had in 2006. I've learned that the number on the scale is just a number.
These pictures are 5 years after the first time I said "I need to make a change". Even after falling off of the wagon and going through phases of eating poorly, I've still been able to lose. There may be months where I just maintain my weight, and that's OK. The important thing is this has been a lifestyle change for me.
I hope if you're reading this and going through a similar journey this doesn't discourage you. I want you to keep going. If I'm anything, I want to be proof that hard work pays off. No, I'm NOT perfect. Not at all. I do still love donuts and pizza. But this journey is teaching me that a healthier mom is a happier mom.
Linking up with Kenji
Workout Wednesday
You are one hot momma!!! You look fantastic. If i have learned anything over time is that the more time and dedication you put into to losing weight the more weight you lose. The less you rush the more comes off. It turns from being an instant gratification thing to a lifestyle. You are rocking it!
ReplyDeletePROUD of you, Melissa!! You're not giving up and that's when it really pays off, and you're inspiring to others who might be feeling the frustration of the timeline - I agree with Kenj- you are rocking it!
ReplyDeleteYes!! 100% yes! It turns from just wanting to look good to wanting to be healthy! Thanks so much
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!! It's definitely not been an easy journey and there have been months and years where I do gain back but I've turned this into a lifestyle. That's what makes it easie . To actually think about doing something good for my body.
ReplyDeleteGreat job girl! So proud of you for sharing and for working your butt off! Of course, it doesn't help that it's national doughnut day later this week. Also thank you for sharing the link-up, I just joined too!
ReplyDeleteThank you!! It's definitely a lot of work but it's so worth it. Plus I'm teaching the kids how to have fun by staying active! Glad you joined!
ReplyDeleteI don't think ww I'd a fad cause I know it works for some. An old co worker of mine stuck to it and actually learned a lot about portion control and such. It's definitely not for everyone though. Thanks for the kind words!! I'm here cheering you on as well!!
ReplyDeleteYou said it! It's not about all the fad diets because when you stop those the weight just comes back because you haven't really learned anything. It's all a balance between eating right and exercising!
ReplyDeleteYou look awesome! Congrats on sticking with it....someday I will get my act together and make it work....I hope.
ReplyDeleteAll of your hard work is paying off!! You look fantastic! And I can tell you FEEL great about yourself, too...the most important part of the journey!
ReplyDeleteso very impressed and proud of your hard work to get healthy! couldn't agree more that it's more about a lifestyle than those fad diets. plus when you eat better, you feel better (though donuts are still a necessity every once in a while)! thanks for the inspiration and keep it up!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you shared your journey. We both know we have these chats often, but so glad to see you are going awesome! Now I need to get myself back on the darn wagon! So proud of you girl!
ReplyDeleteLol thanks friend!! I know you'll get there! It's definitely easy to fall back off the wagon. You're awesome!!
ReplyDeleteYes! Donuts are a must. And when you have those days don't beat yourself up about it! Just start over the next day! Thanks for your support and kind words.
ReplyDeleteYes!! The fact I can run with the kids and play outside without getting winded is the vest feeling ever. Thanks for the support!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!! It takes time but I know you can do it!!
ReplyDeleteYaaasss!! I knew you'd get it!! Xoxo! It's a process and a lifestyle change but so worth it.
ReplyDeleteOf course!! What can I do to help?
ReplyDeleteGo girl go! :) I was at my highest weight a year after we got married and realized I was only hurting myself in not being more dilligent with my exercise and diet. It's still (two and a half years later) such a challenge (thankfully more some days than others), but also so rewarding to feel good in my own skin!
ReplyDeleteWahoooo you GO GIRL!!! You look great! And you are absolutely right, it's all about lifestyle changes. Water, exercise, more veggies, less fat. So proud of you, you look amazing!
ReplyDeleteWhat great progress! I've struggled with my weight my whole life and I'm now the largest I've ever been. I've been working for months on mentally changing my perspective because I am like you and have been back and forth on my weight since 2006. I'm finally starting to lose weight again because of the mental strategies I've put in place to help handle stress and anxiety (areas that I typically turn to food for). Being healthy isn't just about you physical state, but your mental state too.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy you have learned what works for you and you are making the changes you need to stay healthy and appreciate your body.
Oh girl it's still a challenge for me!! I fight daily with myself about needing to workout and what to eat. Some days are definitely better than others. The best part is absolutely feeling good in your own skin. I shared a picture on Instagram today from 8 years ago. Sure I was skinnier but I have a better sense of my body now and I feel better about myself now.
ReplyDeleteSo proud of you and all of your accomplishments.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much friend!! It's still a process but it's become a lifestyle change!
ReplyDeleteAgreed!! Mentally you have to want it and remember that the things you turn to foods for could be mini exercise sessions. Last night I was bored watching TV. Normally I would've started snacking but instead started doing some jumping jacks and crunches.
ReplyDeleteEveryone is different though and that's what I wanted to convey. Where it's taken me 5+ years to get HERE has taken other people less time. Thanks for sharing and thanks for the kind words. If you need an online cheerleader, I'm here!!
Thank you so much!! I see too many things out there for short cuts and get thin quick schemes... I had to share. The lifestyle changes is what works! Not the pills and wraps and things
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