A Word on Weight Lost
Posted on | November 2, 2011 | 27 Comments
In the past year or two I have lost about 50 pounds. That’s right, I’ve lost the equivalent of a small child off of my body. I’ve cut my dress size in half and lost plenty of inches all over. People often ask me how I did it. And it should come as no surprise that it wasn’t easy. And there isn’t a simple, magic answer. I started shedding weight due to what I like to call “the break up diet.” I was heartbroken so I wasn’t eating and while this isn’t a great method it did work. Plus I was single again and having to get back out there is always intimidating so once I started losing I decided to keep going. I started running on the West Side Highway. And I realized I didn’t hate exercise. I liked how working out made me feel so I signed up for bootcamp which met twice a week at 6 AM (gasp!) and is still to date the best work out money can buy. Once it was too cold to workout outside I joined a gym and got a personal trainer. She weighed and measured me every week which kept me honest. Somehow without meaning to I became one of those people who works out, like regularly. I’m not sure when it happened but exercise became an important part of my life. Nowadays I try to work out 4-5 times a week. Some weeks I even get six workouts in but it usually balances out with the bad weeks when I can only manage three. The thing I’ve learned is you have to find a way to try and like it, you have to search for something you enjoy. If you don’t like it, you won’t do it. Of course there are still days when the last thing I want to do is go run around and get sweaty, sometimes my bed just feels sooooo good. And on those days, if I manage to get up and go it’s the guilt avoidance that gets me there. And the fact that you never ever regret going.
And of course all the exercise in the world won’t do a thing if you’re eating like crap and that’s the other side of this coin. I feel like I finally got my eating habits mostly under control. I had done Weight Watchers in the past and it does work but it’s not something I want to live by. I don’t want to have to think about what I eat all the time, it makes me obsess about food too much. Plus, I’m always going to go out to eat and I don’t want to have to think about it and worry about points and all that nonsense. I eat healthy, mostly vegetarian meals. I avoid packaged foods for the most part and I love to cook. But I also love to go out to eat. If I’m craving a cheeseburger I’m going to have one, I’m just going to make sure it’s a really, really awesome one. I’ve stopped mindlessly eating crap. And just like exercise, my relationship with food has to be something I can live with. I don’t believe in diets because ultimately a diet will end and then where will you be? So make small changes, ones you can live with and then once those are a regular part of your life make some more.
I’ve always struggled with my weight. And I think I always will. I’m not done yet. Even though the way I look has changed, it’s not always easy to accept those changes on the inside. I’ve always been overweight and in some ways I think I’ll always feel like the same overweight girl I was for so long. I continue to grapple with body issues maybe even more now than I used to. I have to be happy with where I am and I have to continue to keep working on it everyday. So, that’s where I am right now my friends, happy but with plenty more work to do.
p.s. this post is way too long. my apologies.
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27 Responses to “A Word on Weight Lost”
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November 2nd, 2011 @ 1:42 pm
You better WERK! Love the honesty and the dedication. You go girl!
November 2nd, 2011 @ 2:14 pm
Sis, you are glammy at any weight and you are certainly bringing the fire these days. It’s a big deal, you’ve worked hard and stuck to some serious stuff. And inspired certain other ladies along the way to get off the couch where it is so cooommmfffyyy with the tv and the treats.
November 2nd, 2011 @ 2:33 pm
First of all, congratulations on such a healthy attitude, that is huge. I can relate to your post, especially the part about continuing to grapple with body issues, maybe more after losing weight than before. I struggle with the same thing. I don’t remember being as troubled by it before losing weight as after. It is strange. I’ll keep working on it too. Thanks for the insight and motivation.
November 2nd, 2011 @ 2:37 pm
@Jill & Luanne Thank you, pretty ladies!
@Cindy Isn’t it funny (and by funny I mean annoying and a little depressing) how the body issues almost multiply AFTER losing weight. I guess you work so hard so you think everything will be easy and perfect after the weight is gone. And oh my that is soooooo not the case. Just got to keep trying though, right?
November 2nd, 2011 @ 3:23 pm
You have always been gorgeous and fabulous! I miss you and want you to come home like now.
November 2nd, 2011 @ 6:03 pm
Congratulations on your awesome accomplishment! I know it is such a challenge, but I am so happy to hear your positive outlook and reasonable attitude about it all. You’ve definitely inspired me to be more vigilant about my workout and follow exercises I really enjoy. Keep up the good work. You look amazing!
November 2nd, 2011 @ 6:28 pm
Thanks Melissa! It ain’t always easy but just gotta keep trying.
November 2nd, 2011 @ 6:28 pm
Yo GO ON! Nice work Amy. You look amazing. As a weight loss survivor myself (I lost almost 90 over the course of 3 years) I can relate to everything you’re saying. Way to get right with your relationship to food and to like working out! You have to like it to do it…it’s a cliche but if you don’t take care of your body, where are you going to live? Also, the bonus jams to losing weight? Looking super effing cute in cute clothes! Congratulations!
November 2nd, 2011 @ 6:37 pm
@ AW. Thanks, Jess! 90 pounds? I guess you’re the most awesome person ever?
November 2nd, 2011 @ 6:54 pm
Hey girl, you look AWESOME! West Village happy hour soon, ok?
November 2nd, 2011 @ 6:57 pm
Wow, bravo. Thanks for sharing your experience and that the fact most people have to work really hard for it (but it’s truly worth it). I turned 30 last year and got chubby, so I hit the gym now 4-5 days a week and curbed the bad eating and it’s paid off, at least, in terms of my energy and overall health. Good for you, you look amazing and happy.
November 2nd, 2011 @ 7:04 pm
BEWARE, loong comment here.
Let me just say it is SO nice to see someone be this honest and down to earth about diets and exercise. There seems to be such an abundance of people who seem to not only not mind the pain of dieting and working out, but to actually love it. “No pain, no gain”, “do you reeeally want that chocolate?!” It all somehow made me feel like the oddball who: 1. does not enjoy suffering through a workout routine and 2. refuses to never eat some great things because they are fatty (or substituting for light options that quite honestly don’t do it). Reading your post made me see that I CAN indeed get some serious results without being masochistic. And quite frankly it is encouraging.
It has been 5 years since I had a healthy weight, that was back in college, where I never dieted, not even once, and my only workouts consisted on hip hop dancing classes and running up and down stairs to get from one classroom to the other. I never felt healthier, and back then I didn’t have to make these big sacrifices that most people say are crucial to lose weight. Yes, I am older and my metabolism changes. But you my lady are proof that is makes more sense to go at it in a way that makes you happy and feel good. Pain is not really pain when you are having fun working out. And you can have a healthy diet that includes burgers and deserts with real butter and cream if you are smart about it.
Thanks for this post. Really, thanks.
November 2nd, 2011 @ 7:10 pm
@DrunkBrunch – bring. it.
@Melanie – Congrats are in order to you too!
November 2nd, 2011 @ 7:11 pm
@Sam – So glad you enjoyed the post. And yes, I am firm believe in finding something that works for you in the long term. You can absolutely still have the foods you love just be reasonable. Not every meal has to be decadent. Maybe you don’t need dessert every night. You’re not alone in how you feel, I promise you that.
November 2nd, 2011 @ 7:31 pm
Exactly! and doing reasonable portions as well, there are so many ways to go about it other than pure sacrifice! Just like you are doing. Congrats for that!
Also, maybe you think about it more because you know how much work it has been and you don’t want it to go to waste. But on the bright side, the very bright side, you did this the smart way so it is unlikely that you will “slip” and go back to zero. And that is comforting, no?
November 2nd, 2011 @ 7:41 pm
@Sam – it is a huge part of it! And yes, that is the main reason I think it is important to make small changes and to make them slowly. They get integrated into your life so you get really used to them. Rather than a quick diet that you suffer through and can’t wait for it to end.
November 2nd, 2011 @ 8:03 pm
Great post. Really! You look fantastic. I’ve also struggled with my weight, and I finally gave up dieting. You are right: Be active, eat healthy. No starving, no fads, and it is okay to eat something less healthy once in awhile as long as it is not franken-processed! Congrats on your success.
November 3rd, 2011 @ 5:47 pm
girrrrrrrl. you have always been fab. you’re still fab. just wearing smaller clothes. (and isn’t that fun? i would imagine a resounding YES.) as someone who has been in the same boat her whole life, you are an inspiration. thanks for this post.
November 3rd, 2011 @ 6:53 pm
Congrats, that is amazing! I’ve been a long-time follower of your blog, and I def. noticed the change:) I really relate to your post because I am working to lose weight as well and have been on Weight Watchers for the last 5 months. Thanks for the inspiration! You look FABULOUS!
November 3rd, 2011 @ 11:31 pm
Good for you! You look fabulous, and you are making healthy, realistic choices for you.
November 4th, 2011 @ 1:26 pm
Wow, that’s amazing and such an inspiring post! Good for you!!
November 4th, 2011 @ 4:53 pm
I think you look like a saucy minx regardless of weight or shape.
I am probably 30 lbs heavier after-kids than pre-kids. I need to get my ass in gear. Your post is motivating!
November 4th, 2011 @ 7:28 pm
You always have been – and will always be – beautiful. I’m glad you are happy. It shows.
P.S. Can’t wait to give my foxy friend a hug very soooon.
November 6th, 2011 @ 1:16 am
Super proud of you. Thanks for telling it like it is and motivating me to think about what I eat a little bit more.
November 9th, 2011 @ 6:32 am
For some reason your blog hasn’t been updating in my reader and I’ve missed out on a ton. I just saw a photo of you on Natalie’s blog and thought, “Dang, she looks so good!” Good job buddy!
November 11th, 2011 @ 3:37 pm
[...] for the many sweet comments and emails (and even one real life snail mail card!) in regards to my recent weight loss and breakup. You guys really are the best. And I appreciate the love and kindness more than you [...]
January 23rd, 2012 @ 9:06 pm
Wow! What an inspiration you are! Thanks for being so honest about something many of us are afraid to talk about.