How do you lose over 100 pounds? I’m going to tell you how I did it. However, it’s going to take a lot of posts to tell it in detail, because there’s actually a lot to the story. However, I’ll give you the highlights here.
In early 2004, I carried over 240 pounds on my 5-foot 7-inch frame. I freely admit now that I was a couch potato. I was in lousy shape and poor health, and I was getting more unhappy and unhealthy as time went by. However, I really had no idea what to do about it.
Sixteen months later, I had become a 140-pound, healthy, fit woman, and I have stayed that way.
Losing that 100 pounds transformed me in many ways I never expected. I have become much healthier, happier, and more confident. I’ve even become an athlete, something I never imagined could happen. I’ve run a dozen triathlons, three half-marathons, and many shorter running and swimming races.
I feel quite proud of this. It took a lot of determination and perseverance. People often congratulate me. At the same time, I can’t help feeling ashamed and angry at myself. Why did I ever let myself get that way to begin with? If I hadn’t gained all that weight, I wouldn’t have needed to lose it.
Here are the 5 major phases that I went through in this whole process:
- I had to gain all that weight. This was the easy part, just as it is for most people.
- I had to recognize and fully understand the impact all that excess weight was having on me.
- I had to get on the path to regaining my health. I had to figure out which path to take.
- I had to learn what worked for me as I went along.
- I had to learn a new way of living. Once I had gone through all that effort to lose those pounds, I wanted to make sure I can keep them off.
How Did I Do It? The Short Answer
I know you want an easy answer. Unfortunately, there isn’t one, despite what all the weight loss commercials say. As I said in my first post, there isn’t a magic pill or formula to make it easy.
I lost all of that weight, all 100 pounds and more, using the tried-and-true method of diet and exercise. Although I was probably heavy enough for gastric bypass surgery, I really didn’t want to go through that.
I did it all through a series of small steps, learning more and more as I went along. One of the big keys to it is a good motivation. For me, it was my health. For others, it might be wanting to be there in the future for their children.
What’s the reason for you? If you’re overweight, can you identify a good reason that will move you to lose some pounds? If you’re not overweight now, can you think of a reason to stay that way? If you’re underweight (I don’t want to ignore the very real problems of anorexia and bulimia), can you think of a reason to heal your body image? In all cases, what is a good reason for you to get more fit and strong? Please share your thoughts.
Robyn
Articles in the Series:
Losing 100 Pounds – The 5 Phases
Losing 100 Pounds – Gain It First
Losing 100 Pounds – Waking Up to Weight Gain
Losing 100 Pounds – On the Path to Weight Loss
Losing 100 Pounds – Learning What Works
Losing 100 Pounds – Finding a New Way of Living