So I’ve been mentioning in a few posts that I am following the Hungry Girl Program and have been pretty faithful since September of last year. I am not out to break any speed weight loss records but instead am taking it slow and steady, that way I don’t feel like I am depriving myself and I am making it a sustainable habit. So far I’ve lost a little over 43 pounds and have not been at this weight since 2006.
Here is a comparison photo from August 2016 to February 2017 and then one from today.
In addition to following the plan, I’ve begun taking a walk around our neighborhood daily and doing some plank exercises at night before bed. I am definitely not a fan of exercise and though I had a membership to Planet Fitness a few years ago, I think I only went 10 times in a year and a half. I don’t run. I have never been a runner. When I walk I listen to music and use the time to look at the world around me and do some thinking. When I first started doing planks I could only hold it for 30 seconds. Now I am up to at least 2 minutes or more. It requires no special equipment.
I’ve been keeping a food calendar/journal since I started and write down pretty much everything I eat during the day and note the exercise I do. I’ve been wearing a basic pedometer and keep track of my step count. Since I work from home doing transcription which keeps me at a desk most of the day, I was not getting too many steps in. I find that if I can get at least 6000 steps a day, I notice weight changes. Each time I hit a lower number on the scale I give myself a star. This month I have 4 stars so far! That may only mean a loss of 4 ounces, but it is motivating me when I see the stars to keep going. I also took my measurements so when I hit a patch where I feel like nothing is happening on the scale I re-measure and the decreasing numbers help me see that something indeed is changing.
I am taking medication for diabetes and my most recent numbers were so good that if they continue to fall I may be able to cut it down, if not completely eliminate it. Since diabetes is in my family and I had gestational diabetes when I was pregnant, I am not surprised I have it now, but keeping control of it is important.
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| Preparing four meals at a time is helpful, especially on those really busy days. |
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| Drinking these teas has been a staple. |
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| This is one of the “snacks” you can have – strawberries stuffed with ricotta cheese and topped with chocolate chips. I could have had 6 stuffed strawberries but 4 was enough. |
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| Trying new things like powdered peanut butter and tofu noodles have been pleasant surprises. They are not half bad. |
I am about halfway to where I’d like to be but as I said, I’m not out for speed, I’m out for sustainability. I can definitely tell the weeks and months I concentrate harder than others but overall I’m pretty pleased. Weight is definitely one of those subjects that is kind of hard to discuss and I’m not at the point where I am comfortable putting my exact weight out there, but seeing the difference in the mirror is pretty cool.
How about you? Have a weight challenge/success story? Love to hear it if you’d like to share.
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Janet's Smiles 
Keeping things consistent and going at it easier I think will ensure the weight loss to stay off and that’s what we’re all after, isn’t it? My weight is in line but I am notorious for yo-yo 10-15 pounds. I prefer staying on the lower side as I not only look better but feel my best. Congrats on dropping 43 pounds! That’s quite the accomplishment!! Whoo-Hoo!! 😀
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Thanks Cathy! I had a little setback because we went away for four days but I am back now and on track again. Sad that it may take a week or two to get back to where I was before we went away but I had a good time and am still focused so it will work out okay.
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Congratulations. Weight loss can be an endless battle, but you seem to have it under control. You look great, and have all those stars to gaze upon now. Good job, Janet.
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Thanks Ally! Keeping up the fight!
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Congratulations on the weight loss. It’s such a hard battle and I’m so happy you found what works for you. You look wonderful!!! Dawn
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Thanks, Dawn!
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