Weight Loss - How I lost 30 lbs

Finally, I have got around to doing this post...

Quite a few of you lovely followers requested that I do a post on my weight loss, following my post in which revealed that I had recently lost 30 lbs. Basically I put on 30lbs whilst studying 3 years undergrad and then working full time whilst doing postgrad for 2 years following this.

Rather than go into an essay like post about this I thought that I would basically outline what I did, how long it took and show you some before and after pictures.

If you want any more information at the end of this post you can email me at giddyprincess@gmail.com or leave a message in the chat box at the top right of my page.

How did I lose the weight?

I had on numerous occasions decided I was going to eat healthily in the past and the most I had lost was around 6lbs, as I wasn't really dedicated and didn't really know what I was doing.

This time was different. Basically I had seen quite a few pictures where I didn't recognise myself anymore and felt that my health was beginning to suffer due to me entering the unhealthy weight range within my BMI. (You can calculate your Body Mass Index here.)

I took myself off to a weight watchers meeting near my house and begun the Discover Plan. To do this I paid £17.95/month for an online plan which also allowed me to go to meetings each week locally and get weighed.

Many of you have probably heard of weight watchers, but in case you have not the plan allocates a you number of points per day, determined by your weight, height and lifestyle (ie. active or not). As each food has a points value, you are then to try and stick within your points allowance.

Things like many vegatables have a zero points value and as such I found sticking to this plan pretty easy once I got going. To be successful at the plan, I believe that you need to be quite organised with your meals. As I am often out and about I found that I had to stick to similar meals regularly, but this did not bother me as I always ate things I enjoyed and the weight loss each week kept me motivated.

Typically, I ate crumpets with weight watchers jam or weight watchers yogurt for breakfast, weight watchers soup some low point crisps (eg. squares, french fries, snack a jacks) and count on us chocolate mousse for lunch, then a stir fry or meat and roast veg or pasta and a tomato based sauce for evening meal. Not too bad eh!

How long did it take?

I began the journey in September 2009 and reached goal at the beginning of February 2010. I ensured that the weight loss was gradual, but also steady. I lost weight nearly every week and I did not put weight on at all.

This isn't easy and I saw many others struggle with losing a couple of lbs and then putting the same back on the next week, and repeating this cycle a lot. I do believe determination is key in embarking on a journey like this and I kept motivated by setting mini goals of when I wanted to lose so many lbs by.

What I will say is that for the first couple of months I barely drank. To me it just wasn't worth it and I believe this had a massive impact on me having steady weight loss. (Not that I drink a lot generally). In additon, I took up walking 3.5 miles a day, which is my walk from home to work. It takes me 50 minutes. It took me that long queuing in traffic so I was so glad I began walking in the end. And yes, I did it through all the snow and ice. Now that's determination

Tips I would give?

Enjoy it. If you don't see it as a chore and see it as a change in lifestyle, which results in you feeling happy with increased self esteem, you really will succeed. It's all about having a positive mental attitude towards eating better and losing weight. And of course the joy with weight watchers is that if you do have events coming up when you know you will be eating out, drinking etc you can save your points by eating well in the week prior to it. Therefore you don't feel guilty when you do have a bit of a binge.

Where am I now?

I am maintaining the weight loss and finding it pretty easy. I am around a size 6-8 depending on where I shop and wear petite clothes wherever I can. Previously I was around a size 12, which is course pretty average, but with me being small in height (5 foot 1) I was still overweight for my height.

I do eat healthier now but I also have treats most days but I make sure I remain active and if things start to feel a bit tight I don't buy anything new, I eat less and exercise more and find the next week everything feels a good fit again. It really is about changing your lifestyle.

Pictures

*Goal Weight*

*Goal Weight again*

Weight at Uni around 3 years ago

Weight a year ago (heaviest)

I would like to finally add that the reason I felt that this was a necessary path for me to take was because I was always petite and quite athletic in build training in sprints and long jump, whilst also being heavily involved in lots of other sports when I was younger. Therefore I feel much more like my normal self now and quick myself for not having done this sooner. But better late than never.

Hope those of you that were interested found this post useful or informative. I hope I didn't offend anyone and if you do wish to ask any questions about any of it please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sorry it ended up being an essay anyway!!