No, not I love you. Although I do.
143 is the weight I saw when I hopped on the scale yesterday, meaning I’ve gained about five pounds.
I mentioned it to a friend at happy hour last night and realized when I said it out loud, that really, five pounds isn’t all that much. And it’s not. And it still puts me in a healthy weight range for my height.
But considering that I put on a lot of weight in my early 20s by “eh, it’s just five pounds,” over and over again, I want to nip any weight gain in the bud. I know it’s a slippery slope for me.
I also stubbornly thought that once I’d beat that weight-loss thing, I’d be done. I say stubbornly, not naively, because I know how biologically hard it is to lose weight and keep it off. But I was–and still am–determined to not be that statistic.
139 was my goal weight of a 50-pound weight loss, and for the past two years, I’ve been hovering somewhere between 136-139. 140 was the line I drew in the sand for the weight I wouldn’t surpass.
Gratuitous beach photo to break up otherwise serious post.
If I were otherwise happy with my body right now, I’d care a lot less about that number on the scale, honestly. But the number on the scale and the unhappiness about my flabby abs is obviously directly correlated. I also went to put on a pair of jeans for my New Balance event the other night and a few pairs of my jeans were way too snug to comfortably wear. I felt like a fraud representing a fitness brand when I didn’t feel so fit myself.
I’ve been making a real effort to clean up my meals, but I know exactly where the other calories are sneaking in–and what’s lacking.
In pretty list format:
Sneaky Calories:
None of those things above are that bad on their own (err, except for maybe bar food), but combined, quite a few more calories are sneaking in.
And the below are lacking:
Greens. I just don’t have enough.
Fruits. Again, I just don’t have enough. Nuts aren’t a bad snack, but they would be more balanced if I had some fruit with them.
So, here’s to more fruits and veggies and less drinking calories and letting the small indulgences add up.
If you’ve lost a lot of weight, have you been able to keep it off?
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This is a great and very brave post! I also have lost 50 pounds since high school and often struggle to keep it all off. I'm about 15 pounds up from where I once was and felt like the best version of
myself. Lately it has been a battle to get back to a 90% clean, healthy lifestyle (c'mon, no one is perfect, right?). This post has been very helpful and inspired me to look at myself more honestly and realize how much better I feel when I'm 15 pounds lighter. Thank you for sharing!
@Beth @RxBethOnTheRun: It was so great to meet you yesterday and chat--we need to get together soon! xox
I am having the same problem right now- maintenance can be really hard. And trying not to get down on yourself when you see things creep up is even harder. In times like these I get obsessive and that makes things even worse, but i am putting the scale away and maknig the best of it Try to remember we are all in this together!
@Meghan: And that is why I
I know what you mean about justifying "it's just 5 pounds." I am in the process of losing a few extra pounds right now and the thing that helps me is asking myself, "am I hungry?" before I start snacking or grabbing something in the kitchen. As simple as it sounds, it has really help me cut calories.
You should check out CLICK protein powder for your coffee fix. I am not a big coffee drinker (prefer lattes) and love this stuff. I have been drinking it in the morning, its only like 120 calories with protein and tons of good stuff, and it keeps me full all day which means I've been snacking a LOT less (and answering the "am I hungry?" question no a lot more!). Not to sound like an infomercial, but I LOVE this stuff!!
@Lora @ Crazy Running Girl: Espresso protein powder? YUM.
5 pounds is too easy compared to 50 that you have lost. I think picking one item from your list and just limiting that would be enough to help you loose 5 pounds. It may sound weird but I tend to gain weight when I keep healthy snacks at my desk at work. When I know it's there I eat it mindlessly. So no snacks in my drawer, especially no big packs :) If I feel hungry I just go to nearest deli or market. Sometimes I put my snacks just for the day and measure it so that I don't over eat.
@zynp: No, it's true. I used to not keep food at my desk, and that definitely helped. Or, I need to just portion out my snacks in advance.
I'm another 50 lb-loser from 15 years ago. The problem with maintenance is that there is just no way to get the same kind of motivation to lose 5 lbs that it takes to lose 50 lbs! When I was overweight, I was sick and tired of being sick and tired, unhealthy, worried about getting morbidly obese, etc. As someone who weighs 5 lbs more than I want to, I'm still healthy and still feel great all the time. Other than vanity, I have no "reason" to lose weight. So yes, it's normal to gain a little weight and to be bummed out about it. But don't worry, you'll get back under 140. And you're not a "fraud" for gaining a few pounds! This is real life - you've lost and maintained for over two years! Take it easy on yourself and keep following the healthy lifestyle. And keep writing about it, because your readers need you!
@Beckett: Thanks :) And congrats on your weight loss, too!
I know how you feel about trying to resist the (wonderful) temptations of Starbucks! I have one connected to my apartment building and one directly across the street. I do enjoy their coffee so the lattes aren't much of a problem BUT sometimes when I crave something sweet but don't want to indulge with an (expensive) sugary beverage I opt for their vanilla tea with a splash of whole milk. It tastes creamy and sweet and feels like I'm treating myself.
You are so inspiring to me because unlike a lot of other health/fitness bloggers you started at a higher weight and successfully lost it while still maintaining a fun social life. Being a 22 yr old college grad I am struggling a little bit to keep up with my social drinking and shedding a few pounds/toning up!
@Bianca: Thanks! Yeah, I think I would have had a really hard time losing weight in college, so props to you!
Ooh, vanilla tea sounds good!
That is a little weird because I stepped on the scale this morning and saw the exact same number and said to myself "something has to change." I have gone from drastically underweight to slightly overweight, where I am hovering now. It is a constant struggle to want to get back to a point where I feel good about myself again without resorting to unhealthy and dangerous habits to lose weight.
@Kiersten: I just clicked through to your blog--YOU RAN THE ANTARTICA MARATHON? Damn girl!!!
If you can do that, you can do anything :)
Could it be you are still fit and healthy even with the 5 pounds on and the jeans a little tighter? http://funandfit.org/fun-fit-radio/ I know I am not thrilled to see a scale number creep up, but if your abs are strong and your body is healthy and you are active, is there really an issue?
@KymberlyFunFit: My abs definitely aren't strong, which is part of the reason the number bothers me, since I know they go hand-in-hand--any weight I gain goes straight to my stomach.
I find that sometimes I just get really tired of watching what I eat. I mean, I love healthy food, and the way I feel, and I never want to go back to where I started, but it's easy to get stagnant/bored/tired when you no longer have the losing itself to motivate you. I feel like this is just a slight kick in the pants to rejuvenate your motivation. It isn't something to feel embarrassed or shameful of, because, like you said, it really is only 5 lbs. It's the choices you make now that matter more than the reading on the scale.
@Ari @ Ari's Menu: YES! Maintenance is definitely less rewarding than losing. But equally important...or something :)
Oh dude, I totally feel you. When we ran that half last summer I was around 140 which was my highest weight.(funny saying that now since I gained like 40 more pounds during pregnancy!) I can't wait until I can workout again so I can lose weight. We should try to motivate each other to get back to the low-mid 130s. I know we can do it!
@Lizzy: Weren't you already preg then??