Milestone.
It’s difficult to stay motivated with diet and exercise when you don’t see any progress. A while back, a pair of size 16 jeans started to get really loose on me, because I had gone from about 211 lbs last spring to 205 lbs. I thought, maybe I’m out of the size 16 jeans! But alas, that was not to be the case, and I ended up just buying a pair of size 16 jeans that fit a little snugger.
I have been wearing size 16 jeans for close to two years, but I still have a pair of size 14 jeans and a pair of size 12 jeans in my closet. A couple weeks ago, I decide to slip on my size 14 jeans. Just to see. I could get them up around my thighs, but I could barely button them. Not only did I have a muffintop, I had a painful muffin top. I felt like I could barely move, and I certainly couldn’t sit down.
One of the problems I have with sticking with anything is when I don’t see progress. I attempt to eat better and exercise more, but nothing will happen. It wasn’t until I really started researching what it would take to lose weight consistently that I realized that I was doing it all wrong. Not wrong in the sense that I was doing something terrible, like eating an all grapefruit diet, but that I was kidding myself.
Kidding myself is one of my biggest faults. I’ve been doing this my whole life. It’s one of the reasons why my A1c has never really been as low as I want. I consistently think I’m eating less carbs that I am, and I consistently think my blood sugars are better than they actually are, so it’ll take ages by the time I realize something is wrong.
So, I’ve been counting calories for a couple of weeks now, and last week, I dropped to just barely above 200 lbs. Getting to under 200 lbs. feels like the Holy Grail. I have been over 200 lbs. for so long, and yet trying to get under for so long, that I was convinced that maybe it was just not going to happen.
But on Sunday morning, even though I had already had breakfast and even though it wasn’t weigh-in day, I decided to hop on the scale.
199.9 lbs.
And then I got really excited.
So I pulled on my pair of size 14 jeans. The ones I could barely button three weeks ago. And they buttoned. Not only did they button, but they buttoned and fit. They fit like jeans are supposed to fit. I mean, sure, I still have a bit of a spare tire, but they were comfortable. I wore them the whole entire day and I didn’t get a single stomach ache from the pressure.
This morning, I was really excited to weigh myself.
I got up. I went to the bathroom. I took off my insulin pump and pajama bottoms, so my clothing would weigh as little as possible. And I stepped on the scale.
198.1 lbs.
Not only am I under 200 lbs, but I am fully under by two pounds! I can’t tell you how excited I am. I have finally reached two long awaited milestones: I’m wearing size 14 jeans and I’m under 200 lbs. I finally feel like I’m making real progress. Not this start and stop, one pound here, one pound there progress. Can’t wait to see where I’ll be next Monday.
Starting weight: 202 lbs.
Last week: 200.4 lbs.
This week: 198.1 lbs.
Weight loss this week: 2.3 lbs.
Total weight loss: 3.9 lbs.
Hey Allison! Congrats on the weight loss! I’ve been reading your blog (via twitter) for ages and just summoned up the courage to comment. I’m also a type 1 diabetic, and trying to lose weight-I’m about 160 at the moment and need to shift my muffin top! Thanks for being such a great type 1 role model, I adore your blog
I believe we can lose this weight!
Hi Georgie! Thanks so much for your amazingly sweet comment. You never need to be afraid to comment. I don’t bite! Good luck to you too on your goals – we can do it!
Congrats!! I love that feeling when you can fit into old jeans. That spells success wayyyy more than any number on a scale – but it’s nice to have the scale confirm it.
When I dropped to my current size, I realized it in a dressing room at Target. In some magical part of my brain, when I walked out of that dressing room to look in the triple-threat-mirror, I half imagined a crowd, banners and some sort of medal. It was that big a deal.
Especially since I’d given up on having the scale budge. I’d been telling myself that I needed to see the fact that I could run faster or lift heavier as just as much of a success, but it still felt really good to have a vanity-victory in the dressing room.
I had been losing a few pounds here and there, but never enough to make a difference in my clothes. I was beginning to think it wouldn’t happen. I’m glad I’m not the only one who needs wardrobe validation!
Congrats Allison! That is so awesome. Like Bethlin said, fitting into those smaller jeans is a better indication than any number on the scale!
How exciting Allison! Congrats! And the fact that your jeans fit better is an even better sign than just going by the scale. So excited for you!!
I am sooo proud of you. It’s hard work and you’re sticking to a plan. Awesome!
Yay!
All I can say is:
This is so amazing and inspiring, Allison! Way to go on getting to “One-derland” if I can be as dorky as they are on Biggest Loser
YAY!
Haha, “One-derland” I was wondering if there was some funny name to call getting back into the 100s. Now I’m bummed I missed using that as a title! Oh well.
Way to go Allison. It’s wonderful you’re seeing progress, especially since it’s fueling the flame. Keep it up!
Girl, I am the same way. Because of my weight and my thyroid I have to work twice as hard to loose weight and it’s aggravating. It’s easy to put it on, but I have to work super hard to get it off. Then when you plateau, you want to give up.
Congrats on the milestone. It feels great, doesn’t it?
Yes, it does! But we have to keep plugging along!
yay! congratulations!! i’ve been working to lose weight too. it’s so fabulous when you can see progress!
congrats on the milestone!
Congratulations, that’s amazing!! I’m jealous though, haha. I haven’t had much luck but I need to keep reminding myself that I’ve been accomplishing a lot though by doing a 5K run and boot camp. My eating needs to change. This week I’ve made salad and put them into ziplock containers so I can take them to work with me for lunch.
Congrats on getting under 200! That is my magic number and one I have been above way too long – but I will get it – this year – I am determined!
Excellent news! What a great feeling to hit the milestone