Thursday, November 20, 2008

The Biggest Loser

I don't think anyone can quite understand the journey to serious weight loss unless they've experienced it themselves. It takes absurd amounts of hard work and self-discipline and there's really nothing fun about it. I have unfortunately found myself on this road more than once in my life. (Once in college and again this past year.) This less than joyful journey began one year ago this very week.

I have had to lose some weight after each pregnancy, but the first two times around, it came off without a problem relatively quick. So when I was gaining a lot of weight during pregnancy, I wasn't too concerned. I did the same thing with Parker and I had lost it all in seven months without much effort on my part. Six weeks after Gray was born and I had the OK to start exercising again, I got on the scales and had only lost ten pounds...and eight and a half of that was Grayden. Yikes!

I have never made greater efforts to lose weight than I have this past year. And it's never been this hard to lose it. I suppose I can attribute that to getting older and having three kids. I cannot explain to you what that does to a girls mental state. I hate that something as trivial as weight could make me feel so down. I hit some pretty low patches.

Even more trivial than my weight...I hated that I had nothing to wear. I refused to buy an entire plus size wardrobe. I didn't want to get too cute and comfortable in a size I was not comfortable being. Besides a couple necessary purchases, I wore maternity clothes much, much much longer than I cared to. An embarrassing amount of time.

And then something happened the past few months. I stopped doing it for the weight and started doing it for the health of it. It changed my whole outlook, my entire mental state. And subsequently, my weight loss picked up.

So now that I've hit the one year mark on this difficult journey, I'm ready to report. I've lost 47 pounds this year. 47 POUNDS! That averages out to just under a pound a week. (Though it was more like...lose a bunch...not lose any...lose a bunch...not lose any.) Watching the scale was so frustrating. Losing weight is such a slow process, it hardly felt like I was getting anywhere. But over one years time, that is significant. Forty-seven pounds is the size of a 6 year old child. Parker weighs 43 pounds and I can hardly carry him these days. The thought that I had his weight plus some attached to my body it unreal.

I feel like I need a before and after picture.

Me one year ago...too big for even a size 16 (I tried to avoid pictures at this time in my life so my options were limited):




Me today...size 6 top, size 8 jeans (again a bad picture...self timer):


I still have a little bit to lose to hit my pre-pregnancy weight. I'm still quite lumpy around the middle. But I did reach my goal weight. I'm at a weight that while I'd rather be smaller, I can be very comfortable at. A weight I can now stop obsessing over.

The worst part? We've lived in three different places so no one has been around to see the loss from start to finish. It's frustrating to have lost nearly 50 pounds and no one notices. I'm all about the praise. So bring it on.

28 comments:

Lauri said...

UNBELIEVABLE!!!!

I'm so proud of you. That's quite an accomplishment. And yes, I've noticed each time I've come to visit...And I know I told you each time how great you were looking. Way to go.

Lauri said...

By the way, we're wearing the same size now...too bad you don't live closer.

Kelly said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!! 47 pounds is amazing! You look great!

Heidi said...

totally with you... I need the praise as well. whenever I see someone that has lost weight I have to say something, just because I know I would like the same thing if i was to lose weight.

You are amazing! I seriously wish I would have stayed in the competition just so that I would stop gaining weight. so Now that its over I am going to be doing it on my own... thats right with the chart and everything. Im not sure how Im going to fit in 30-60 minutes of exercise a day, but I will figure it out. I will be starting MOnday so check in on me!

jeanine said...

Way to go! You look GREAT!

Cynthia said...

Oh my gosh Katie - way to go!!! That number is amazing. you should be so proud of yourself.

Traci Elizabeth said...

Lookin Hot Momma!

I am totally impressed. I don't remember you getting big, but you sure do look GREAT!

Nicole said...

Wow! That's totally awesome. Congratulations!!

Thanks for you sweet comment about my pictures. I'm trying... it's definitely a talent that has to be worked on. I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to add you to my blogroll. You rock the blogging world! :)

Hubba's Thoughts said...

You deserve every ounce of praise you get!! Good job Girl!! My sister is starting a family "Biggest Loser" on Jan. 1. Hopefully I can post these kind of pictures sooner than later! You look great!

Stubbart said...

That is FABULOUS! You look awesome! Since I've only known you a few months, I haven't noticed the weight loss much, but you do look awesome! Hmmm, maybe now you've got me inspired to lose my baby weight from Quade (and some that was hanging around even BEFORE then)!

Genn said...

WOW!!! That really is GREAT Katie. You do look SO good! I think you look like you could be posing for a GAP ad with your crisp white shirt and your skinny size 8 jeans!! Congrats and keep you your good work!!!

Kris said...

Katie,
I understand every step of your journey, and I know EXACTLY how hard it is. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! You look amazing! I have started to count my points again this week. A few years ago, I lost 55 pounds on Weight Watchers. I have managed to gain 20 back in the past year. Not running right now has made it very hard to manage my weight. I am so proud for you, and you have encouraged me to get going and do what I need to do as well. I have a closet full of size 8's just a waitin'!

Unknown said...

Just had to add my kudos to you! I am well aware of how hard this is, so major praise to you for hanging in there, and reaching your goal! I agree that moving around makes it hard for us to see the difference, but 47 pounds is a big change! And, holy cow, look at those super cute jeans! Those are definitely not fat girl pants for sure! Way to show it off!!

Megan said...

Way to go Katie! I, too know how hard it is to lose the extra weight. I have about 15 more to go to reach my goal weight. You are an inspiration to me to keep going!

Lacey said...

Yay Katie! I would've never known you had been anything but skinny! You ROCK! I just hit my pre-4th-baby weight. I can hardly remember the real pre-baby weight. I think I have 10 more to go. But you're right, it's not until you do it for the health of it that you make the real change. Melanie Huscroft has been my unofficial trainer since April. I've lost 20 since then! I think I need to buy her something nice! Thanks for sharing your story!

The Hardy's said...

Congrats! Isn't weight loss such a self esteem and a self confidence booster? You look absolutely great! No one realizes how hard it is and how frustrating it is until they do it themselves! Great job!

Kelly said...

You always look amazing, katie!! You look even hotter now! Love those jeans!! You look so healthy, too- your face and hair too! Congratulations!! I am so impressed!! Wish we were closer to trade clothes- your mom included!!
Love it!!

Sam and Becky said...

you look fantastic!! seriously, you did a great job, and I admire your persistence and hard work.. you are very strong Katie.. good job!!!! keep it up! HOT!

AKA Rosa said...

Katie!
That is so AWESOME!! It's not an easy thing and I know that each 1/2 pound is hard! CONGRATULATIONS!

Unknown said...

WAY TO GO!!! I have watched my hubby so the same thing and you are so right, it is really hard!! Way to go girl, I would say go have some chocolate to celebrate but instead -- go have some carrots :)

Eric said...

You look awesome! Way to go!

Amanda B. said...

HOLY COW!!!! 47 pounds?!?! I seriously never guessed you even had that much to lose!! You have always looked great! You look awesome! I feel your pain- I obsess over my weight way too much- You know the commercial (I think for weight control oatmeal) where it shows them walking around with scales tied to their ankles because their weight is on their mind all the time? That is how I feel! I wish I could just be happy with me....I know that is what God wants- Satan wants us to feel bad about ourselves-so he takes something he knows will bother us- like our weight- and makes us dwell on it. Someday, I will find peace with myself! (Hopefully 25 pounds lighter than now... :))

Oh...one more thing- anyone who has kids is a bit lumpy in the middle- it is called extra skin from the big belly. No amount of exercise will completely get rid of it. I don't like it either...I try to make peace with it by saying- God intended us to have babies, so he must have intended us to have some lumps in the middle! :)

Melissa + Brett said...

I am so jealous. I have about 47 lbs. to lose too, am depressed about it, but REALLY struggle to be motivated long enough to get it off. AHHHH! YOU LOOK AMAZING!

AshnRuss said...

I know exactly how it feels to look in the mirror and not like what you see. You look so great! I am impressed that you stuck to the weight loss challenge.... I totally would have cheated! Congrats on the weight loss!

Suzanne said...

You look amazing. I thought you looked great when you were in OH too. You hid the weight well because I wouldn't have thought you had near 50 to lose. That's motivation. I have a goal of 10 more pounds before Christmas. I'm trying:)

Autumn said...

dang it, you took my title for 4 months down the road! :) I suppose you can do whatever you want when losing 50 pounds!! :)

Katie, congrats!!! SUCH an accomplishment!!! I don't know that any acknowledgement is really adequate, really. The best is FEELING different (I think). No one can quite know how great that is. I still think you look so great in that picture I took at the shower. Seriously, you JUST had Gray!

I sooooooooooo understand your thoughts on the clothing. sooooooo understand.

Jessica said...

Amazing! Incredible! Outstanding! You look fabulous! You put the rest of us to shame! What dedication! You are so motivated! Marvelous! Awesome! Is that enough praise or would you like more. :) Truthfully I am very impressed that takes a huge effort on your part. I never would have guessed that you would even have 47 pounds to lose. You really look great. Way to go Katie, you must feel wonderful. You deserve a new wardrobe for sure.

Kipn n' Sarah said...

Holy Crap that is SO SO SO much weight!!! Great job, keep it up, you look amazing!!! I am so impressed by your dedication!!!