Back in the 120s!

kmartini1021

Hooray! I'm so excited I wanted to share with everyone! I attribute my motivation and continued dedication to you girls on the board.

I broke into the 120s this weekend, but more importantly my clothes are feeling looser and I feel great! I haven't been in the 120s since my freshman year of college but I certainly wasn't in this good of shape then so this feels amazing!

It's been a slow process but it's worth the dedication. I told FI he better get used to my calorie counting and daily runs because they're not going anywhere after the wedding. My goal after the wedding is to do a half marathon next year, and a full marathon the following year with one of my bridesmaids.

Thanks for all the advice and motivation ladies!

bakersduzin

Congrats! I hope I'm as successful in reaching my goals!

NikkiF731

That's fantastic! My goal is 125 (143 now). If you don't mind my asking, what all did you do to reach your goal? I could certainly use the help!

siennamay

Congratulations! That is so great that you want to keep it up. Good luck with your half marathon!

angelsong21

That's awesome!  Wish I could say I was in the 120s again...but 150s are a healthy weigh for me and even that is really far away!  Keep it up!

sb9411

Congrats!!! I can't wait to break back into the 120's. It's looking far away considering I ate a crapload of chips, crackers and pizza last night. Boo!

raynes

Well done! 

bigsmileychick

Congrats! That is amazing. I am slowly but surely will be there...one day.

LittleKatie13

Congrats! 

abrieckinthewall

That is so awesome! I am the same way. Last time I was in the 120's was my first semester in college. Seems like a long way being 20 lbs away. So it sounds so fantastic to me. CONGRATS!

sprtychick10

good job!! Keep up the good work.

Those are great goals, best of luck to you on crossing them off

kmartini1021

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_back-120s?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:fe4dbca9-aaa7-42e8-9a75-a612dcc90a57Post:9211796b-d778-4dc0-9fac-67626055ee20">Re: Back in the 120s!</a>:
[QUOTE]That's fantastic! My goal is 125 (143 now). If you don't mind my asking, what all did you do to reach your goal? I could certainly use the help!
Posted by NikkiF731[/QUOTE]

Nikki I was in my 140s after graduating college and was 155 at my highest weight at the beginning of 2010. I did phase 1 of the South Beach Diet initially and lost about 15 lbs. When I went off the diet, I gained about 5 lbs back, so I did phase 1 again and lost another 10. Gained 5 lbs back. It was a bit of a yo-yo for a while there. The most important thing South Beach taught me though was to avoid processed foods and simple carbs. I eat only whole wheat products now for breads, pastas, etc. I also avoid foods with preservatives in them.

I don't follow any specific diet now, but I have started counting my calories. When I first started tracking my caloric intake I was barely making 1000 calories a day. Essentially I was starving myself, which explains why my weight loss stalled in the fall last year. Thanks to the girls on this board, I got clued in that I need to eat more, which I had been told in the past but was too stubborn to try it.

I also started growing my own garden last spring and I've planted my seeds to grow again this year. Eating fresh veggies, to me, is 10 times better than a bag of chips.  I love grabbing a handful of tomatoes off my plant and eating it as an afternoon snack. It's very rewarding.

In addition to healthy eating, I've taken up running, as I've mentioned in other posts. It's a bit of a lifestyle change, but I try to fit a run in daily. Now that it's warm out, I don't even have to go to the gym to get it in. I put my dog on the leash and we head out the door as soon as I get home from work to make sure I keep the motivation and energy up. If I come in and sit down, I'm less likely to get back up. I sign up for different races throughout the year with FI and friends to keep me motivated to "train."

FI and I do motivate each other to go to the gym and do strength training together, too. He does a lot of focus on upper body, so I try to get in squats, lunges, crunches, etc on my own. When we can't get to the gym, we try to do one of the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred workouts. If we're just sitting around watching tv, I'll do some tricep dips on the couch or lift some hand weights. A big tip, if I'm bored and feeling hungry, I grab the hand weights to keep from lifting snacks. =)

Like I said, I've been trying to lose weight since the beginning of last year. It's a long, slow process, and it really is a lifestyle change, not just a diet. But it's so rewarding in the end. Hopefully some of the things that worked for me can help you as well, but I know everyone has different success stories. You just gotta find your groove!

kmartini1021

Wow that was long. Sorry. Thanks for reading. lol

katiemac101

Congratulations!!!!  That is wonderful.  

Your post is going to motivate me to get out of the 150s.  I've been stuck at about 155 for a while when I'd like to be in the 130s. 

Bien hecho!

NikkiF731

No apologies for the long post! It was very helpful

feelslikeadream

How tall are you ladies?  Supposedly my lowest weight I'm allowed to be is 143 (5'8).  At my lowest I was 150 and swore I still could have lost 20 more pounds to look great.  I need to lose about 10 to 15 pounds still to be where I want to be before the wedding and honeymoon.

Congrats on reaching your goal that is truly amazing!

sherrbearr22

I'd also like to know how tall you gals are.  I'm 5'2 and feel the best when I'm in my 120s and I have a couple more lbs to go.

Congrats OP!! That's awesome and thank you for sharing how you go there!!

kmartini1021

I'm 5'4". I think my ideal weight is supposed to be 128 lbs.

comeauxlatoya

Congrats girls!!

AshnRobo

Wow thanks so much for sharing! How motivational and such great tips!

NMH2011

This was a great post and you ladies made me feel so good and NORMAL.  My goal is to get into my 120s (and I'm only a few pounds away) but sometimes I am so embarrassed.  I remember what I looked like 10 years ago and always feel like I should still look like that.  But I'm 33 now and it is just so much harder to reach weight-loss goals.  Thank yoiu for keeping me on track.

xoxo

PS.  Congrats "kmartini"!!!  I hope to post something similar before my September wedding.

NikkiF731

5' here and I'm hoping for the mid. to lower 120s.

[Deleted User]

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_back-120s?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:238Discussion:fe4dbca9-aaa7-42e8-9a75-a612dcc90a57Post:6407ee99-df29-4ff8-9af4-a06f439c749d">Re: Back in the 120s!</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm 5'4". I think my ideal weight is supposed to be 128 lbs. =)
Posted by kmartini1021[/QUOTE]

Not gonna lie... the more you post the more you creep me out.  LOL.  I could have written almost every post you have made on this thread!!  (except the very first one... but I'm close to being able to say that!!).

I'm 5'4'', when I was at my heaviest I was 155-160 (you couldn't get me on a scale once I hit 153).  I went on the south beach diet after grad school and lost about 15 pounds initially (brought me down to 140).  I yo-yo'ed around after that - although I was as low as 120 something at one time a few years ago, I was pretty much starving myself.  I since have gotten a much better work schedule and am fitter than I've ever been.

Last March I started running, and completed my first half marathon at the end of February.  Amazing feeling (I was one of those kids who couldn't run a 12 minute mile).  I also started strength training a year ago.

I woke up today at 131lbs.  My lowest in 3 years.  I'm SO CLOSE to the 120s- congrats to you on making it there!!  I'd love to be at 125 for my wedding.  I've been running a lot and counting calories.  South Beach taught me great eating for life and I pretty much avoid all simple carbs (and white ones like potatoes).

Congrats and I just wanted to add my post since you sound so much like me!!  :)

[Deleted User]

Congrats kmartini! Very inspiring!

I'm 5'7", medium build, and I have never weighed less than 150 lbs (not that I can remember. Currently I am at 158 and I really want to get down to around 140 before my July wedding, but its going to take a lot of self control and motivation... which is really hard to muster up right now with all the other stresses of life!

Either way though ladies, embrace your beauty, do your best, and be happy with who you are!