It has been a longtime since I’ve written a weight loss update post.
While I secretly wished I’d somehow lose weight over Thanksgiving, Christmas, getting ready to move from state to state, taking a vacation to Disney World, actually making the move from Georgia back to Illinois, living with my mom for a month in Illinois while we searched for a new home to rent, and then actually moving into that home (my current situation)…it just didn’t happen.
But I didn’t really try. I just told friends the other day that I’ve eaten my fair share of chicken nuggets, frozen pizzas and mcdoubles. (Don’t judge me. :)) I forgot to tell them all about the Starbucks frappes, McDonald’s coffee, and my own homemade coffees with the always-available International Delight creamer that my mom keeps on hand. (Thanks, Mama!)
Plain and simple, my diet has been bad.
Okay, in my defense, we did try to regularly have healthy juices on hand. When my husband went out for groceries, I’d always try to remind him to buy some of the healthiest juices that particular store had to offer. Those were almost always the Bolthouse Farms green juices (seriously, delicious) and carrot juice.
During our move, our scale was packed away, so I pretty much judged my weight by how my clothes fit. After they started to feel more snug, I knew that wasn’t good.
The moment of truth
I was prepared to weigh 198 lbs. when I stepped on the scale today, but I was pleasantly surprised when I weighed 192.5 lbs.
That’s actually not terrible. At least not to me anyway. π
In my last update post at the end of October 2012, I weighed 190 lbs., so I’ve only gained 2.5 lbs. since then. Not bad.
I’m ready to start losing weight again
Starting next week, I’m going to do a partial juice fast for 5 days. I’m planning on drinking juice twice per day for five days (Monday through Friday), and I’m going to update here on the blog each day with what I ate and what types of juices I drank that day. I’ll be sure to take pictures of each juice and let you know what is included, because I’d love to encourage all of you, my dear readers, who are also on a journey to lose weight. You are not alone, and we’re in this together.
I would love to try a total juice fast, but because I’m breastfeeding Elisabeth, our 13-month-old baby girl, it’s not wise…at least from what I’ve read. So that’ll have to wait until she stops nursing. Both of my two youngest boys stopped nursing right after they turned two years old, and I’m thinking Elisabeth is going to follow in their footsteps. So maybe next year I’ll be able to do a total juice fast.
In the meantime, I’m excited to try a partial fast, and I’m ready to get back to healthy eating.
As far as my overall weight loss progress for 2012, here’s what that looks like:
Beginning weight (Mid-January 2012):Β 220 lbs.
Ending Weight (December 2012):Β 190 lbs.
Goal Weight for 2012:Β 170 lbs. — I didn’t get to my goal weight, but I’m thankful for every pound I did lose.
# of total pounds I wanted to lose in 2012:Β 50lbs.
Total # of pounds lost in 2012:Β 30 lbs. — Praise the Lord!
**I gave birth to Elisabeth in December of 2011, and I came home from the hospital weighing 248.5 lbs. I started my weight loss journey after I had lost most of the weight I’d gained being pregnant with Elisabeth, but during my journey, I would periodically update on how much weight I’d lost post-partum.
Hereβs what my post-partum results look like:
Weight on the day I came home from the hospital (December 2011):Β 248.5
Weight 12 months post-partum (December 2012):Β 190 lbs.
Total weight loss one year after giving birth:Β 58.5Β lbs. — I’m once again extremely thankful to have lost all of my pregnancy weight and more. Nothing is impossible with God.
Now for 2013, I have a goal to lose 40 lbs., and I believe that it can be done. I’m starting my journey fresh at 192.5 lbs., and I’m excited to get the ball rolling!
What about you? Are you working to lose weight and live healthier this year? I’d love to hear about it, because losing weight is a lot easier when we can encourage one another. You can do it!
P.S. My 2013 ‘before’ pictures will be posted soon!
Sandra, I’d love to help hold each other accountable, if you’re interested. I’d seriously love to lose another 8 pounds or so, and see how I feel. I know 8 pounds sounds like nothing, but I’ve tried off and in the last, and my body’s stubbornly holding onto the weight. I seriously think I’d look and feel better if I got my weight down a bit more. And this ab separation I have isn’t closing at all, which us frustrating AND adding to the round tummy I have! Anyway, I’d love to hear more about your juice fast and your plans for losing the weight! You look awesome and should be very proud of your hard work! So glad to have you back!
Hi Patty! Yes, I’d love to keep each other accountable, and I’ll email you more on that later today. Along with the other info. I was going to send. π
Unfortunately, some of the kids are sick…again. π And with the unpacking, I’m behind on emails, amongst other things.
It was wonderful to see you at church last week! I *hoping* the kids will be better by this weekend, and we’ll be able to make it this Sunday. We are thrilled to be back in Illinois and settling into normal life again. Talk to you soon, Patty!
Sandra, I would say you did very well with only gaining 2.5 pounds. Great job at keeping the weight off during the holidays.
I set a goal for myself this year of 40 pounds. I am making small changes a couple a month as I know if I try to make too many changes to fast I will get discouraged and end up giving up. I figure it will be like a debt snowball but for weight loss. If I make two changes a month and add more the next month by three months down the road my small changes should be making a big difference. I lost 2 pounds in January so I am really happy with that.
My changes for this month are to really only eat when I am truly hungry. This is a big challenge for me because I eat more out of habit than anything else. I also increased my exercise to 10 jumping jacks and push ups a day. It isn’t much but I am starting small and building. π
I am glad you posted an update I have been looking forward to it. It is encouraging to me, thanks for sharing.
I hope you get more settled into your new house real soon.
Hi Shelly! Great job losing 2 lbs. last month! π I know how hard it is, and every pound (or half pound is a success). I like the way you are making small changes to amount in a big change over time.
I have struggled to eat only when I am hungry in the past, and I’ve actually learned in the last 2 years or so that I’m definitely an emotional eater. In the past, when I would feel super stressed, I would run to food. I don’t feel like I have this problem anymore, but it definitely helps that I’m aware of it. I think focusing on eating healthy and juicing over the last year has definitely helped, too.
We are feeling more settled in our home, and we made great progress last week with our unpacking. We still have a lot more to unpack, but the main things we need are out and accessible.
I hope you have a great week, Shelly!
Good for you! I need to lose weight since baby is now 1 it’s was past time!
Hi Whitney! Definitely making a goal to lose weight and then telling everyone about it here on my blog has made a huge difference. π You can do it!
Hi Sandra! Love reading your posts! I am also going to start getting back into shape and working out. I was wondering if you could provide more info on the juices? They are all store bought? And you drink with every meal? Where did you hear about it? Thanks!! You are doing amazing, I know this is an older post too!!