Novembers Weight loss Warrior Is Lisa. Even Though We’ve never Officially met I have Followed her on her wonderful Blog http://mrssavageangel.wordpress.com/ . I really relate to her story being a new Mom and Finding the moment where you realize the “Baby” Weight is more like “Your” weight now that the baby is growing up. She is such an inspiration. I hope she encourages you to Get off the couch and make a positive change in your life!
November’s Weight Loss Warrior
1: what made you want to lose weight? Was there a specific moment?
18 months ago I was in a very different ‘place’. I weighed 89lb more than I do now, had a very different relationship with food in general and my outlook on life was tired, sad and often on the negative side. I was so consumed with being a new mother and the associated challenges that come with that, that I’d almost ceased to exist as a person in my own right. I don’t think that’s wholly unusual in new mothers, but I compensated for this lack of self worth by ‘treating’ myself with high fat, high sugar foods. It’s sad to think I gained 2 stone in the year after I had my son, but I think I need to make it clear that I can’t blame my starting weight solely on motherhood. I had been obese my whole adult life. My weight had fluctuated a bit, but I’d been a size 22/24 (US 18/20) my entire adult life (I’m about to turn 36). The last time I wore the size 16 (US size 12) I’m wearing now was in my late teens.
A couple of things happened to motivate me to change things in 2013. Firstly my son turned 1 in the April (I wore a size 24 (US 20) dress to his party. It was pretty tight) and I realized I wouldn’t be able to the use the ‘new baby’ excuse for much longer. He wasn’t new any more!
Around the same time I also started keeping a gratitude journal, recording three happy moments a day. I did it daily and within a few months realised that all my happy moments were about my son and never about me. That made me so sad and made me want to change my life.
I also saw a couple of pictures that brought home to me just how much weight I was carrying.
At the time I told myself it was just a badly taken photo – that my son was extremely wriggly and I was caught in an unflattering position, trying to keep hold of him. Now, I think it looks like I’m trying to hide behind him.
November’s Weight Loss Warrior
1: what made you want to lose weight? Was there a specific moment?
18 months ago I was in a very different ‘place’. I weighed 89lb more than I do now, had a very different relationship with food in general and my outlook on life was tired, sad and often on the negative side. I was so consumed with being a new mother and the associated challenges that come with that, that I’d almost ceased to exist as a person in my own right. I don’t think that’s wholly unusual in new mothers, but I compensated for this lack of self worth by ‘treating’ myself with high fat, high sugar foods. It’s sad to think I gained 2 stone in the year after I had my son, but I think I need to make it clear that I can’t blame my starting weight solely on motherhood. I had been obese my whole adult life. My weight had fluctuated a bit, but I’d been a size 22/24 (US 18/20) my entire adult life (I’m about to turn 36). The last time I wore the size 16 (US size 12) I’m wearing now was in my late teens.
A couple of things happened to motivate me to change things in 2013. Firstly my son turned 1 in the April (I wore a size 24 (US 20) dress to his party. It was pretty tight) and I realised I wouldn’t be able to the use the ‘new baby’ excuse for much longer. He wasn’t new any more!
Around the same time I also started keeping a gratitude journal, recording three happy moments a day. I did it daily and within a few months realised that all my happy moments were about my son and never about me. That made me so sad and made me want to change my life.
I also saw a couple of pictures that brought home to me just how much weight I was carrying.
At the time I told myself it was just a badly taken photo – that my son was extremely wriggly and I was caught in an unflattering position, trying to keep hold of him. Now, I think it looks like I’m trying to hide behind him.
This one was taken at his toddler group summer picnic. Someone else took it and I was so excited to get it, as in my head we looked great. I was heartbroken when I saw it.
I knew then something had to change for all of us.
2: what work out regime do you keep if any?
I don’t drive (I never learnt) so I walk everywhere I can pushing the buggy. I think that helped in the beginning, as just getting up and getting active no matter what you do, is better than sitting still. I’ve never measured how many steps I do, but I know I walk for at least half an hour most days, if not more.
I also recently started a Core Stability class. It’s an awesome mixture of fit ball, yoga, pilates and physio, especially designed for post natal women. I adore it and a month in I know my core is already stronger and I can see a change in my shape. I want to continue doing this, but I’d also love to try yoga – the mixture of strength work and concentration really appeals to me.
3: best tip for eating healthier?
Start from scratch. It’s so hard to be aware of what you eat if you’re relying on companies to do it for you. Don’t get me wrong processed/packaged foods have their place, but if you rely on them you’re never going to be totally sure of what you’re eating. I love making big stews and curries from scratch. Not only do they taste better than anything you could ever get in a jar or a can, you also get a great sense of satisfaction from feeding yourself and your family well (or I do at least 😉 )
4: what advice would you give for someone who wanted to lose weight?
Take responsibility. For so long I was blaming everything else under the sun for my weight and my weight gain but in reality the buck stopped with me and always had. Once I started being more honest with myself and taking responsibility for my actions I found I could start being much more focussed in achieving my goals. The food you eat is part of it of course, but unless you get your head in the game nothing is going to change.
Also I’d say it’s a journey not a race. So it might take two years, so it might take five. It’ll take as long as it takes and expecting it to happen over night is unrealistic and unhelpful. Once you accept this is a long term plan you learn to live the ride!
5: what was or is the biggest challenge you faced with losing weight
Probably the enormity of the task ahead of me. To get to a ‘healthy’ weight I knew I was probably looking at having to lose around 130lb. That’s like a whole person! If I’d only ever focussed on the end goal I’d never have made it this far I know that. Instead I broke, and continue to break, my targets down into smaller goals. It gives me an ongoing feeling of achievement as I reach them.
- If there is something you could go back and tell your former before weight loss self what would it be?
Ooo tricky. If I could go way back I’d tell my teenage self that she is NOT fat despite thinking she is. I think the fact that I thought I was anyway was something of a self fulfilling prophecy – I think I am, so I will be. I’d also beg her not to just accept being obese. I was never happy about the situation as such, but I let my weight define me for so long and I really wish I hadn’t. It’s never too late to change who you are.
Before
This was my favorite dress. It’s a size 26 (US 22) I sold it on eBay recently. A very proud day
Oct 2013 to Sept 2014
Oct 2013 to June 2014
June 2014
Sept 2014
Dec 2010 to Oct 2014
Oct 2014
Losing 100 lbs plus 