As you may or may not be aware, I lost more than 100 pounds a couple of years ago. When I finally hit the big 1-0-0 in December 2013, I released a video showing my progress. Here it is (be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of the page to see the updated video!):
At that time, I got many positive comments from people who had watched and felt inspired by the video. Comments such as one from a user named Nina who said, “You look BEAUTIFUL!!!!! IF You did it I know I can,” made me feel great–like I was inspiring others to get healthier. Helping others get healthy is an absolutely beautiful thing, something I aspire to do–something that makes me feel good.
Another user said, “Even at your heaviest you are an attractive woman. Now you are unusually good looking. Keep it up. I have just started my journey,” which of course stroked my ego a little.
And Britva613, a fellow Weight Watchers member, said, “What an inspiration!! I also started out a size 24 (well 24-26 by the stretchy labels I wore) I got down to a 16 and am back up to an 18 I just put on the breaks and went back to WW and this video collage is great! Way to go and it looks like you husband lost along with you.”
There were many more really positive comments too, and I’m grateful for them.
And then there were the negative ones. Now, I could publish them or acknowledge them directly, but I won’t, because I don’t want to add fuel to any negativity fires. There was one user who felt so passionately that I had lied about my size and who felt the need to tell me how fat my arms were, rather than to offer support.
While I chose not to respond to the comments, other users jumped in and defended me, which I appreciated. But honestly, I don’t care what some mean-spirited YouTuber thinks. I know what size my jeans are, and guess what? I know my arms are one of my problem areas. Everyone’s body is different, and I know how much better I am than I was before.
So, to the lady who chose to try to bring me down–I feel sorry for you. You’ve obviously got some really difficult issues in your life and maybe it helped you to feel better to try to destroy a random stranger’s self-confidence. But luckily, my confidence doesn’t come from you or anyone else–it’s all about me and what I choose to believe about myself.
And I’m not so unique–everyone gets to decide who they want to be and how they choose to perceive themselves and their lives.
Anyhoo, enough about all of that.
Here’s the big update: I’ve maintained the loss and even dropped a few more pounds. The loss is going slower now of course, but I’m also in a sort of maintenance/loss rotation. I am relatively happy with my size now, actually. I just want to tone up a bit, and maybe lose 30 or 40 more pounds in the long run to reach my ideal weight. But ideal is all in our heads anyway, right? It’s about being happy, healthy and feeling good, for me anyway. 🙂
So here are a few updated photos from 2013 and Jan. 2014.
Jan. 2014 Weight Loss Update: 100+ Plus Loss Maintained, Continued
Jan 2014 Update: 100+ Pounds Weight Loss Maintained by Slidely Slideshow
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The photo turned out pretty nicely, if I do say so myself, and today, I’m in a great mood. I’m feeling generous and full of positive energy. And that’s why I’m offering another one of my special freebies for my Queen Bee Society members.
Are you working on getting healthier? Whether you want to lose weight, be stronger or simply want to be generally healthier, have I got news for you!
So, if you want to get in shape and you could use some basic, simple advice on how to eat healthy, this freebie is the one you need–and there’s no catch. As a member, you just download it and it’s yours.
Occasionally, I like to wax all philosophical on your asses, and today, I’m doing exactly that.
As someone who has lost 110 pounds and counting, so far, I think I have a pretty good idea of what it takes to lose weight and keep it off–at least for me.
So, with that being said, I present to you these harsh truths about losing weight.
Hold on to your hats, people. This is serious. And don’t get your panties all in a bunch–I only tell you these things because I care. Truly. 🙂
Harsh Truth #1: Over-thinking is just a way to delay your success. Seriously. Stop it!
Size 22 to Size 8
It is way too easy to get caught up in every new theory and research bit that comes out.
I can’t tell you how many people I know, both personally and professionally, who jump on every weight loss and study bandwagon that clamors into their frame of reference.
One week, they’re talking about how if you’re not juicing, you’re totally not living right.
And then the next week, they’re cutting out all carbs (including the fruits and veggies they raved about last week) and eating three-pound steaks for every meal.
The unfortunate thing is that for all the diet-jumping they do, they rarely ever lose any significant poundage–and they often end up weighing more than they did when they started.
And yea, I know someone like that, personally.
So much so, in fact, that the person has maintained nearly the same weight (plus or minus a few pounds) for more than two years–a time during which a weight loss effort was supposedly being made. But the friend couldn’t see the forest through the trees. By focusing so hard on what everyone else was saying, the friend was not noticing what really matters.
That just doesn’t happen. Take it from me. I have tried every so-called magic pill out there–and aside from the icky side effects, the only thing they succeeded in doing for me was draining my bank account.
Seriously. Stop buying into bullshit that wastes your money and your time.
Harsh Truth #3: You have to eat less and exercise more if you wanna get and keep the weight off.
From my wedding day (on the left) to today–size 20 to size 8.
Yeah, I said it. And yeah, it sucks.
A little bit, anyway.
But the truth is that while you can absolutely lose weight without much exercise (hey, I lost my first 60 pounds that way), you really do have to get your groove on if you want to get it off and keep it off.
Not only does gaining muscle help to tone and define your body, but since muscle burns more fat than…well, fat, you will be able to eat more and still look freaking amazing when all is said and done.
Harsh Truth #4: Some of your friends won’t support you.
Size 22 to Size 8
Whether we like it or not, sometimes jealousy can make a friend behave in a way she might not otherwise.
So, when you find yourself swimming in the traveling pants you and your BFF have shared for years, don’t be surprised when she starts getting a little bitchy. She might even try to sabotage your efforts or stop accepting your calls.
But if she does, remember that it’s not your fault. She is looking at you, seeing what she’s not getting right–and feeling bad about herself. And in some cases, she’s literally “just jealous” of your success.
Don’t be mad at her–she’s only human.
The best thing you can do here is to remind yourself that you are freaking amazing, and then, if you love your friend, support her in any way possible. And hey–remind her that she’s amazing and beautiful too. Sometimes, just a little extra attention can help, especially if your activities together used to revolve around food.
Whatever you do, though, do not allow yourself to be dragged down by anyone’s negativity. You are getting healthy, doing something right for yourself and your health. Breathe, and let the negativity go.
Harsh Truth #5: If you’re going to keep it off, don’t expect to lose it overnight.
Size 10 to Size 8
For me, taking the weight off slowly has been the key.
Since I started taking my journey seriously about two years ago, I’ve lost 110 pounds.
I’ve still go a few to go, but at a size 8 and curves in (almost) all the right places, I’m not complaining–especially because these results were totally worth the weight…er, wait. 🙂
Yeah, pun intended.
I did it by making small, manageable changes, and nothing more. It all started with simply making sure I was drinking eight glasses of water every day.
And then, I started keeping track of my food intake–at first, just keeping track, not promising myself to stick to the plan (although, to be fair, tracking just makes you want to stick to the plan!).
The point is, it has taken me just more than two years to get the first 110 pounds off. And I’m expecting to get the last few off within this year. It’s not a big rush for me at this point (who can afford to keep buying whole new wardrobes!). It’s just that I have a goal, and I know I’ll reach it eventually.
But hey–if making one small change at a time could help me go from being seriously obese to being pretty much healthy in a matter of two years, and it didn’t cause me a great deal of heartache or pain–wasn’t it the right way to go?
Especially if I can now understand my body and its signals on a whole new level, which gives me the freedom to eat whatever I want and stay healthy?
Yes. Yes, it’s worth it. Totally. Freaking. Worth. It.
That is all.
Don’t be mad. It’s all true.
What do you think? Am I being too harsh? Share your thoughts and your own harsh truths in the comments section, below.
By now you’ve probably heard about it: the HCG Diet, an extreme diet that involves injections of HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). HCG is the hormone women make when they are pregnant. Previously, the HCG Diet was defined by a 500-calorie diet paired with daily injections of HCG.
This diet is associated with dramatic weight loss, up to a pound a day. But the problem, up until now, was that no doctor could explain how it worked, and critics claimed the caloric restrictions are responsible for the weight loss and not the HCG hormone.
Critics of the diet have also maintained that the weight lost can’t be kept off. The HCG Diet has also had some odd rules. For example, it required the consumption of only one vegetable per meal, prohibited the use of oil, body lotions and hygiene products, and limited use of the HCG hormone to odd cycles of 23 and 46 days. The Diet also did not allow exercise.
In addition, there had been no published guidelines on how to dose the HCG hormone; as a result, most providers of this diet are generally using random dosing of the prescription hormone. This was called the Simeons Protocol, and, in my opinion, it was wrong.
After years of research and treating thousands of patients, I am setting the record straight. The Simeons Protocol should no longer be in practice by any physician. My protocol is supported by numerous studies and clinical trials, the latest of which was presented to weight loss physicians at the October 2012 meeting of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians, and can be read at DrEmmasDiet.com. My dosing method is customized, with much higher doses than previously published, and I’ve created specific guidelines for patients based on age and gender. I offer diets ranging from 500-1500 calories, and the diet should be chosen based on the patient and their history. I also encourage the proper types of exercise.
As we wrap up our 60-Day Love Yourself Fitness Challenge, I’m back with another one of my weight loss progress photos. Good old side-by-sides. (I know how much you love them, ha!)
This time, I did a three-way comparison–from my biggest size (24) to my mid-point (so far) and then my current size (8!).
I’m still not done, but I’m making some real progress. What do you think?
How’s your weight loss progress coming along? Share your thoughts in the comments section, below!
Occasionally, I like to wax all philosophical on your asses, and today, I’m doing exactly that.
