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[CardioJ]

Wow! That's amazing. Tell me how you did it.

Summer of 2007 I came out of "denial" that I had a severe weight problem. So I completely changed my eatting and started out by following the South Beach Diet. I followed it very very strictly. I eliminated all sugar and white starches such as white breads and potatoes. Stayed close to green veggies. The first couple weeks of South Beach are the cleansing, where you are having basically no carbs or sugar period. Once I started into phase 2 I incorporated back in small amounts of wheat pasta and breads. I substitute butter for I can't believe it's not butter. Used more oils as dressings on salad, eliminated all soda and really all sugar. I was able to put more fruit in phase 2. Now I do everything sugarfree. Also, stay away from all fried foods period! I also joined Curves and was working out 4 days a week. In summer 2008 I found that I had plateued and so I joined a gym close to my house and had some sessions with a personal trainer. He really guided me as to what I needed to be doing to change my workout. I also have since picked up a turbo kickboxing class, muscle class and another cardio class. Currently I do these 4 days a week. I'm looking into picking my personal trainer again 1 day a week to incorporate more muscle in. Also, I started doing protein shakes as well. I've never been a big fan of that stuff, but my PT talked me into it and it actually does work for me! Now I go nuts if I have to miss a class or session! :jump1: My eatting habits from South Beach have really become a way of life for me. At Xmas time, I allowed myself to have small amounts of sweets, but it's all about PORTION PORTION PORTION. I definitely now listen to my body when it's telling me okay you are full. It definitely was NOT easy, and there were times where I cried, but I never have given up and I keep trucking along. I do think that when you are trying to lose amounts of weight this large, something in you just has to click that you are that unhappy. I also, have an absolutely amazing boyfriend who has been my support system along the entire process. He is a constant support and motivation for me. I have people tell me now that I am an inspiration to them and that is also a really awesome motivation!

 

[KateMc]

Jill,

That is an incredible story. You must be strong of mind as well as body. If you read my first post you know that I have been on that journey too. My story is quite different.

In 2004 I caught my husband lying and cheating on me. We went for counseling (my pastor) and I got told that it was my fault because I had "let myself go". I couldn't believe my ears. My husband was an elder in the church and was doing all this terrible stuff but it was "MY FAULT" I was so angry that I started to diet and exercise. I lost 115 lbs. in about 15 months. I was going to Curves, walking, riding my bicycle for 50+ miles on weekends, and lifting weights.

Well eventually I got my life back together. After a couple of years my anger subsided and then the weight started to come back. (I've gained back about half.) Now I am trying to get back on track but I am finding that without the anger as a motivator it is a lot more difficult.

I know what you mean by being an inspiration for others. I was and now I feel like I have let some of them down. I joined this bulletin board partly to have a place to encourage others with the struggle to lose weight.

My best hope is in the knowledge that I have the strength to do this. I have proved it. Now I just need to do it for me not to show others how wrong they were.

Kate

 

[tic]

Great life-story there!!! Wow, both of you gals are great people.

To Jill:
Nice work, keep it up. If you slip once in a while, it's a "reward" meal. Most dieter fail because they let one slip up become a complete crash on their diet. You slip and fall, get back up and go back at it again. Good job, keep it up!!!

To Kate:
Doesn't the bible teach about being faithful to your spouse? Isn't cheating and coverting thy neighbor's wife a sin? If you two are still married and you forgive him, and he will not and have not cheated then truly forgive him and forget about it. Otherwise, it's just bitterness lingering around.

About the anger motivation, I used to have the SAME deal. Used anger to push my weight lifting to new limit. Bro and I used to workout with such heavy weight and probably a pissed off face that many folks at the gym thought that we were on steriods; and they were serious. Anger is a great motivator (I give it that) BUT it is a force that have uncontrollable result. Sometimes, its great while other time (most of time) it turn out bad, very bad. You might be pacifying the anger but it's like putting a bandage on a leak, the leak will get worse and worse until it burst.

Instead, I have really gotten into yoga. Not just the stretch but the peaceful-ness and calmness of yoga. Yoga is a great stetching and refreshing class BUT if you follow yoga's teaching of calmness, it really eases the mind. Ater a good yoga class, I not only feel better physically but mentally like i just woke up from a great night of sleep. Now, I've been able to incorporate that into working out. Once I am in that zone, I am at peace and "mediating" while I am lifting. It's breathing, breathing---lift, push, pull-- breathe breathe--refocus on weight--breathe--lift,push,pull, etc...

Sounds funny but I am stronger now than I was when I used anger. It's like a woman running along the street at the crack of dawn, do you think she cares who is looking at her? I don't think so, she is probably focus on her breathe/ form / and object in front; just her feet hitting the pavement.

 

[KateMc]

I have forgiven but it took a long time to get over the anger. I found out I don't have to accept "you must do everything I say or I'll find someone who will" from anyone.

I can truly say I have become a different person. While I was going through all of that I didn't just change my eating and start an exercise program I also got a master's degree. Now I have a job I really love and I am happy.