I finally did it - I lost 40 kgs! I'm really excited and happy with my achievement. It's been a long time coming and I've struggled over the last four months to get past the 38 kg mark. Now that I'm here, I feel wonderful. It is definitely worth it. I have so much energy, my health is terrific, and I am enjoying myself so much every day.
I started this weight loss journey in July 2004, when I signed up with Lite 'N' Easy. It was a last ditch effort before I went to talk to a doctor about gastric banding. I lost 12 kg on their meal plans, and then put most of them back on over the Christmas break. In January, I started back on Lite 'N' Easy, lost some of the weight again, and then found myself overeating once more. I realised that I needed a better solution than pre-packaged food. I joined Fernwood in February 2005. Deep down, in my heart and soul, I didn't really believe I could lose weight so I concentrated on becoming fitter.
As I expected I didn't I didn't lose much weight the first 12 months I was at the gym, but I managed to lose 2 and a half dress sizes with the help of my personal trainers. I realised later that I was sabotaging my weight loss efforts because of my belief that I couldn't lose weight, but at the time I told myself I was happy just to become fit.
When I started out, I didn't really have a vision of where I was going to end up. Fortunately for me, one of my trainers encouraged me to set some long term goals. I came up with three for 2006 - to be able to touch my toes, to lose two more dress sizes and to be able to run for half an hour. I managed to achieve all three by November, 2006. I never expected that I would lose the weight I have now lost, but last year a light seemed to go on in my brain. It was a combination of factors, having Leanne as my personal trainer, a book I read "The Lazy Girl's Guide to Losing Weight and Getting Fit", watching the Biggest Loser on TV, and Jillian Michael's "it's just maths" approach to weight loss. After that light went on I managed to achieve even more than I had expected during 2006. I lost 30 kg, discovered running, was able to touch my toes, and shopped in a 'normal' size store for the first time in nearly 20 years.
I've learned a lot about myself while I've been on this journey. I've discovered that my family and friends are amazingly supportive and encouraging. I've found that people who hardly know me are pleased for me. My work colleagues have been tremendous. I'm able to set myself stretch goals and achieve them. I am stronger and fitter and faster than I ever expected to be. I love running. I love doing my weights program. I have learned to like salad. I can make great food choices.
Today, I know exactly how much weight I plan to lose, and I have a plan for getting there. I believe that I can achieve my goal and I am prepared to work hard to get there. Along the way, I intend to enjoy every moment of the journey.
Today's Exercise
As this blog is meant to be about my fitness challenge, here's today's update.
This morning I did an interval run for 15 mins - 6 / 10.5 km/h. I then walked for another 10 mins at 6 km/h before heading off to be weighed. As an aside: I had missed my slimplicity appointment earlier in the week, missing out on the 50 points that I would have earned for going. I apologised to one of the slimplicity consultants, thinking she was the person I had inadvertently stood up. I was wrong, but she kindly offered to give me a short consultation so I could have my points. Funnily enough, when the scales showed my 40 kg goal had been achieved, I didn't realise it, as I was thinking about how generous Cathy had been to squeeze an appointment in for me. I was in the shower before the numbers actually registered. I was thrilled to announce my accomplishment to Cathy. To my delight, Leanne, my personal trainer, was also at the desk, so I got to tell her at the same time.
This evening I had decided to do cardio and had reconciled myself to the knowledge that the Body Jam class was cancelled and I'd be doing Pump. I repeated this morning's interval run, then walked and ran until I reached the 4 km mark. That gave me time to stretch before the class. To my delight, Body Jam was on, and I had a ball trying to follow the dance routines.
I've managed to clock up over 21000 steps today, so it's been a great day's exercise. I'm feeling it now though.
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9 comments:
Hey Kathy, congratulations on the 40kg milestone, that is a truly tremendous effort, you should be very proud of yourself. You certainly now seem to have the attitude right, and if I have the sense of you from your blog correctly, I am sure that the weight is gone forever and it ain't ever coming back. It seems that our journeys began at the same time, as I too started my serious weight loss / exercise program in July 2004. I was lucky enough to hit my goal weight, which was a 35kg loss in August of 2005. I've been able to stay under the goal since then by maintaining my exercise program, but mainly through my love of running. Now I am around 70kg most of the time, so our weight loss to date is about the same. Again congrats on a great effort!
Congratulations Kathy, what a fantastic achievement. This goes to prove for me that an attention to exercise, fitness and health as opposed to being a slave to the scales in the short term is the best means of success. Not just in weight loss but in dealing with lifestyle and all that junk.
Well done. Be happy and healthy.
Fantastic effort Kathy. I am in total awe.
Wow Kathy! My little milestones seem trivial compared to this humungous one!!! I can see so much of my own story in yours - except I've yet to lose the weight, I've still got 40kgs to go! I'd love to shop in a "normal" shop too, and not have to buy men's exercise gear because none of the ladies stuff fits. There are so many stories like yours out there, that I am certain I can add mine to the list! Congratulations - enjoy the moment!!!!
By the way, I'm also very jealous of the speed you managed on the treadmill! Awesome!
Congratulations- that is such a wonderful achievement- you have inspired me to get back on the weight loss regime. I bet you feel and look fantastic!
YEAH!!!! Happy dance taking place for you!
Well done on such an amazing effort! The great thing about this is that you sound so motivated and positive - thanks for being a great inspiration for me!
BTW, I loved reading that book too!
Celeste - thanks so much for sharing that ... what you've achieved is amazing and so many people try and fail - good on you! I'm so glad I found your blog! I love reading your accomplishments, it gives me a little spur on every time!
I've heard so many good things about the AJ book - I looked for it last weekend in the bookshop and couldn't find it. Must get my hands on a copy.
You've inspired me to get more serious about my own weightloss, I can totally relate to so many aspects of your story. I've been focussing on the "getting fit" side and failing in the diet department, and I don't know why I do it to myself.
Congratulations on reaching your 40k milestone. Keep up the hard work, you should be very very proud of yourself.
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