During my initial weight loss, I lost the first two hundred pounds in a little more than ten months, then I spent the next sixteen months losing the last seventy-five pounds. That first ten months would be considered by most everyone as way too fast, but then again, when I reached two hundred-thirty pounds, it all averaged out to a little over two pounds per week. The slow down is inevitable. The less the body has to lose, the longer it takes. The more, the quicker. I've learned these things from experience.
I continue to be extremely blessed during this turnaround, to go into today's weigh-in forty one pounds from 230 (This isn't a "magic number," it's simply where I aimed before), is very fortunate, considering 37 weeks ago I was six pounds shy of four hundred, again. I believe my improved nutrition has played a key role in keeping my metabolism in decent shape and that's likely why I haven't experienced too much of a slow down...until now.
The body is a mystery, isn't it? My last weigh-in was an insane reduction of thirteen pounds. I, obviously, shed some water weight prior to stepping on the scale three weeks ago. I didn't, for one minute believe it was thirteen solid pounds of fat. And I didn't really care either way, the number was 271 and I was thrilled to see that number.
As much as I tell myself that the scale is simply a number and it isn't always the best reflection of what we're doing--as much as I counsel others against allowing the scale to reign supreme over their emotions...I'm very human, and I'll admit, I was disappointed in what I found today.
I've lost two pounds in the last three weeks. Luckily for me, I immediately had a support buddy on the other end of a text conversation giving proper perspective to the side of me that resembles a spoiled little brat with an entitlement attitude. Then the update went out on Facebook and Twitter, where I was blessed with a giant outpouring of proper perspective. I absolutely adore you. If you were one of these fantastic supporters, thank you. I needed to read your thoughts.
Still, I immediately started analyzing what might have prompted such a dramatic slowdown. My food has been steady, except for three or four days during my recent illness, when I was falling considerably short. Perhaps my body went into preservation mode, where it hold onto weight because it fears the worst if it doesn't? Who knows?
My exercise commitment was the biggest clue. During the twenty-one day period, I took ten rest days. Granted, I was sick for the better part of a week--and it was advised to rest and be okay with this, still, I have a feeling it cost me a few pounds today. And really, big whoop. I mean, seriously...
The truth is, it doesn't matter. I'm in this for life. Time isn't a factor. There isn't a finish line I'm racing toward. What does matter is keeping the proper perspective, continuing to be grateful and continue holding the elements of my recovery sacred. I don't want it any other way.
I'm blessed beyond measure. I was headed full steam right back to over 500 pounds and now I'm here, and that's a very good thing.
Despite what today might have sparked within me, I decided this would be a rest day, or better--a proper perspective day. I need rest tonight. I'm headed to the pillow now and before I drift off to sleep, I'll offer up a prayer of gratitude--not just for today's weigh-in, but for all of it, this entire experience continues to be a gift and I mustn't ever forget this truth.
My Tweets Today:
Coffee & water. Coffee first, this time. Only 1 cup this morning. 2 cups water. #watertracking sf creamer. 30 cal. pic.twitter.com/SFgJXSzEFd
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 7, 2015
Mid-morning cup. Sugar free hazelnut creamer. 30 cal. pic.twitter.com/yUqkv0ouRq
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 7, 2015
And the slow down begins! 2 more pounds down. 125 total in last 37 weeks. #grateful #blessed #choosingchange pic.twitter.com/oC4alQQ8Qy
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 7, 2015
Turkey melt omelet. 93/7 lean ground turkey (4oz), slice of muenster, three whole eggs. 450 cal. pic.twitter.com/8lnFsjvqsB
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 7, 2015
Small orange. Sweet, juicy--yum. 56 cal. pic.twitter.com/MBfFGN5Be3
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 7, 2015
Oatmeal (1.5 srv) w/teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/2 medium Honeycrisp apple & glass of unswtnd cashew milk (2cups) 333 cal. pic.twitter.com/avMxetGkrf
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 7, 2015
2 more cups. #wateraccountability pic.twitter.com/fbQPUJcxf0
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 8, 2015
Water, no ice. 3 cups. #watertracking pic.twitter.com/mAMSnW8moq
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 8, 2015
1/2 cup cottage cheese & 4 saltine crackers. 158 cal. pic.twitter.com/Uf26dgbiAq
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 8, 2015
6oz hamburger patty with grilled onions & tomato slices. 294 cal. pic.twitter.com/2NHAqoMl7q
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 8, 2015
Two scrambled eggs topped with a slice of muenster and a medium Bartlett pear. #lastfoodofday 316 cal. pic.twitter.com/k3QMBkxrq6
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 8, 2015
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
I wonder if your recent flu/illness had a temporary effect? It seems like if your body didn't want food, perhaps it was tied to your metabolism/activity levels dropping while recuperating.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think you're right. My Fitbit report for the last week was telling in the calories in/calories out department. It's not a big deal really-- this is part of it, right? :)
DeleteIt sounds like you now have a handle on your emotions, but I can imagine how you felt at the weigh-in this morning. 125 pounds already, wow Sean you are doing great. Stay strong, you've got this.
ReplyDeleteThank you, LTR! I wouldn't say I'm 100% handling the emotions properly, but I'm making a good effort. i will stay strong! You too, my friend!
DeleteBeing disappointed is a very natural reaction. There isn't a single person who's lost a significant amount of weight who hasn't felt that way when the scale didn't give them what they expected/hoped for. You are human, Sean.
ReplyDeleteAnd I was the race vs. life style anonologist on FB today. ;)
Gwen, yes--that was you!!! Thank you for the reminder!! Even when we know these things--and we embrace them--in the face of a number we feel is unjust--it's easy to forget! I needed to be reminded---needed the perspective!
DeleteWatching the wise choices you made while you were sick, showed all of us a deeper commitment to better health and caring for your body, than just looking for a bigger number on the scale. For whatever reason the number was less this time, the bottom line that I see is that you are committed to take care of your health this time around...not just diet your way to a number on the scale. Your commitment to good health shows up in your attitude and perspective, the kinds of food you choose to put into your body that not only help you lose weight, but feed, nourish and heal your body along the way. And it also shows up by your commitment to quality, consistent rest and sleep, and knowing when to push yourself to exercise when you really don't feel like it, and when it’s okay to wait until tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteSean, I appreciated all that you offered and taught us all during your first weight loss journey, but this last year has offered some life lessons that I think make the difference between a diet that worked to get you to your weight loss goal, as opposed to a plan for moving toward living healthy for life. It is so more than just about weight loss. A lot of us out here have experienced the diet that brought about a significant weight loss, but very few have developed a way of living that kept the weight off long term.
So thank you for not giving up when you regained the weight, and for being willing to go much deeper with your commitment this time, and to risk doing it right in front of all of us. It has helped more than you know. And this last three weeks was a reflection of that deeper commitment to good health, over and above just getting to a bigger number on the scale. I know it was a disappointment yesterday initially, but I look back over your last 3 weeks and see a life lesson we all needed to see.
Thank you, Sean for your honest post, and for turning that disappointment around and moving on instead of finding solace in the refrigerator. Enjoy this new day God has given you, and praying that it is full of HOPE. Shirley from TN
Thank you, Shirley! "the difference between a diet that worked to get you to your weight loss goal, as opposed to a plan for moving toward living healthy for life." This is truly the difference between the initial "run" and now...and I need to remind myself of this, often. I sincerely appreciate your insight and perspective, Shirley!
DeleteWhy do you need to analyze it to death? Personally, that's the beginning of being way too frantic about such things. There are even medical studies now that PROVE it is not simple calories in and out. That photo of the scale is just a snapshot in time, not the whole picture - just as the 13 lb. loss was a few weeks ago. Let it go and keep on keeping on.
ReplyDeleteYou're right! I like that--"snapshot in time," very true. I occasionally need reminded of these truths. Thank you!!
DeleteYou were sick, you had 10 rest days, and you STILL had a loss. That means things are still working as they should. Don't let it mess with your head. Just keep on keepin' on!
ReplyDeleteConnie, very true...and that's a good thing. I believe that things are still working properly, too. I'm keeping on, for sure! Thank you, Connie!
DeleteHey congrats! I'm getting better, but I've been sick nearly 2 weeks. I haven't exercised since the 27th of December and I'm up 2 pounds. ugh. What would you say to me? Now, say it to yourself. :-)
ReplyDeleteOh Neca--I hope you feel much better quickly. Great point--what I would say to you is-- Have some compassion for yourself and understand that we're doing what we need to do to take good care--and sometimes that means rest and recuperating, instead of pushing. You're getting well, and you'll be back into your groove quickly--and the results you're looking for, will be there. You're doing wonderful!!! Okay-- I'll say the exact same thing to myself right now. :)
DeleteCongratulaltions, Sean! You have less than 40 pounds to go! :D
ReplyDeleteYou know, since you only weigh every 3 weeks, you really don't know what you weighed a few days ago. That number could be a temporary up-tick--water weight maybe?--that is skewing your results. You may have lost more fat than that number indicates.
Regardless--only 40 more to go! Wahoo!!!
Deb
Deb, you're exactly right. Yes indeed, less than 40 away from the previous 230! I'm feeling great about that!
DeleteCongratulations for doing what works for you, and doing it consistently. It seems is that each of our journeys are our own, and I don't believe there's a one-size fits all approach (although there may be habits common to success).
ReplyDeleteYour word choice today struck me. You referred to one side of yourself as having the perspective of "a spoiled little brat with an entitlement attitude." Kudos for being able to step outside of yourself and see that for what it is. Reads like amazing personal growth to me.
Can I challenge you to think about one area where this very "brat attitude" perspective might be blocking you? I've noticed you eat very few vegetables, and mostly the same ones. Along your journey you've repeatedly stated that you'll never eat anything you don't like, period. I get that, I do. Eating what we don't like feels like punishment. But maybe challenging yourself to broaden your taste in vegetables would help you?
Many of us who have lost weight and kept it off or any length of time... well, our tastes have changed, have evolved. Not all at once, but over a period of time. My evolution resulted in me seeing asparagus as a delicious "treat" food (it sounds like we share the same love of that vegetable). But would you believe I now love roasted brussell sprouts? Roasted butternut squash (tastes like yams, but less starchy)? Braised fennel, of all things?
My challenge to you is to think about eating a higher percentage of your calories in veggies, if not for now, then for maintenance practice.
Or not. :) Do what works for you for your journey.
I've been slow in the veggie development area... There was a time when I wouldn't touch asparagus or squash/zucchini--and those are two of my favorites now. I do plan on trying things--and adding some things as I go and grow. Roasted brussell sprouts--wow... and butternut squash? I may try those soon.
DeleteThank you for this. Good stuff.
I see analyzing things as learning, and you are both learning and sharing with us as you go about being more healthy. I thought about the comment you made on the average weight loss you had the first time around and I quickly did the math for the past six weeks. You may have done the same thing, but I came up with an average of 2.5 pounds per week. Not too shabby, as they say.
ReplyDeleteI'm a "weigh almost every day" kind of person and the scale will still surprise me, make me smile and once in a while make me shake my head and think it must be wrong. You're doing great and congrats on staying on course. :)
You're spot on about the last 6 weeks--excellent perspective! Thank you, Caron!
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