Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Week 24, 198 lbs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me at 288 lbs.                                           Today: Me at 198!!
Omigosh!!  I can't believe it!!

The reality of what I've accomplished has been sinking in over the past 24 hours.  If I could twirl around on a mountain top like Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music, with an ecstatic expression on my face, I'd be there!!

Years ago I had resigned myself to being heavy.  I never thought I'd see a weight of a hundred and something ever again.  Over the years my weight crept past the 200 mark, then the 250 mark and at one point, even over the 300 mark.  The 100s were something I associated with my past - something I maintained in high school, but not something I could do as a full-fledged grown up.

I remember hearing some diet expert on TV ages ago saying "It's unrealistic to think you'll ever be the size you were in high school once you're in your 30s and 40s."  And we've all heard some diet expert tell us how hard it is to drop excess weight after you turn 40.

Those experts were giving a convenient excuse to old Lanza to give up, call herself a lost cause and settle for a growing waistline and poor health.

I wasted so much time in the wrong mind set.  Whatever you want to do to change your life, all you have to do is make up your mind that you're going to do it and stay the course - even when experts and friends tell you that it's impossible or offer you an easy excuse to give up.  What's important is what YOU think you're capable of doing.

The day I decided that I COULD and WOULD get my weight under control and stopped playing the victim was the day miracles started to happen.  And they're still happening!

Yesterday morning I woke up, stepped on the scale and saw something I once thought was impossible - a weight below 200 lbs.-  and this morning I zipped myself into a size 14 pair of pants!  This is the week of my 45th birthday and I can't think of a better present to give to myself than reaching the 100s. My husband saw me checking out my profile in the full length mirror this morning and said, "You don't even look like the same person."

To be honest, I don't even feel like the same person!  It's not just my body that's being transformed - my attitude is downright perky and I have a new sense of pride in myself. 

I still have a way to go.  My guess is that I'll need to get my weight down another 50-60 lbs.  It all depends on my fat ratio.  Whatever my weight reads, it's the fat ratio that determines whether I'm healthy or not. 

When I began the Ideal Protein Diet, my body fat percentage was 48% - nearly half of my bulk was fat!  Yesterday my body fat percentage was 40%.  The acceptable fat ratio is 31% and there are levels beyond that that are even more desirable.  Whatever it takes and however long it takes, I can do it and I'm committed.  I'll know the stopping point when I get there.

The week will present challenges with a family meal on Thanksgiving and a birthday celebration (maybe).  I face both knowing the difference between good and bad nutrition choices.  I may not be able to stay 100% true to program, but I'm willing to bet that I will still manage to drop a pound or two along the way. 

There's not a treat or indulgence on the planet that would tempt me to lose ground when I've come so far!

8 comments:

  1. Congrats on getting to "ONE-derland"! You look fabulous! Hope you have a great birthday week!

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  2. Thanks Queen Bee!! I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
    Lots of love to you and Officer Red Shirt!

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  3. What a amazing journey to follow you through. You look wonderful. Life style changes are truly amazing(speaking from experience ;)
    YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!

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    1. Thanks, LaBrett!! I think you're amazing, too!!
      Lifestyle changes are tough, but totally worth the effort!

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    1. Thank you so much, to both you (Officer Red Shirt) and your lovely Queen Bee. You've both been there for me from the beginning and your love and support have given me the much boost I needed when things weren't so easy. I love you guys!

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  5. I just found your blog on the Ideal Protein website and read all of it. I start this plan on Friday, probably weighing in at 230 but not sure as I haven't weighed for awhile. You are true inspiration.

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    1. The reason I started this blog was to show folks that it could be done and because I received so much inspiration from other blogs on the net. I am so glad you found me. You've already taken the toughest step, and that's starting the program. I wish you tons of success! Trust me, if I was able to get this far and am still resolved to continue until I reach my goal, ANYONE can do this.

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