Broke through the wall. FINALLY!

[jessiejess]

As of this morning I'm down to 185. This is significant because I've been trying to get below 186 for over a year and just kept bouncing between 186 and 190 over and over again. I never could get below 185. Yesterday and the day before my weight was back up to 188 and I didn't let it get me down. Before, I would have given up. Nope, not this time. Instead, I rationalized it and instead of crying and giving up told myself that I've been working out so I'm gaining lean muscle and could also be retaining water. I took my measurements instead of just relying on the scale. I've lost 1 inch off my waist and thighs, and 2 off my calves. Then I went and tried on a pair of jeans I couldn't wear last month. They fit so I wore them to work yesterday.
Soooooo, Me:+1, scale: ZERO!! Ha! Screw you scale! I don't rely on you anymore for validation. That was a huge step for me; finding another way to gauge my progress. So I was REALLY surprised to see 185 this morning after it was 188 yesterday. YAY! One more pound until I meet my first mini-goal and can change my goal weight down to my next mini-goal. I'm so excited and motivated!
I'm also surprised that I've stayed this motivated for this long since I've said I was going to "start over" numerous times over the last 2 years and didn't stick with it for longer than a few days. I'd go into it with a sense of failure and despair and the minute the scale fluctuated, I'd feel like a hopeless failure and quit only to gain more. This time I feel SO different and I'm actually seeing real results, not just a number on a scale that bounces around. I didn't feel defeated and quit and cry when the scale went up 2lbs. Instead, I chose another method of measuring for progress. This really is a huge change in how my mind is working now. I'm breaking lifelong patterns of behavior and beating down self sabotage. I'm sticking with my plan and seeing results. Finally! I'm so happy that after almost 5 years my sleeve STILL works. It's not something temporary. It doesn't have an expiration date. I'm sleeved for the rest of my life and as long as I don't lose sight of that again, I'll be able to lose all this weight and keep it off forever.

[Stacey03]

You will. So happy for you Jessie, you are doing great :-)

[Ann2]

Go, Jessie!

Congrats on pushing through and reaching a new goal.

You know all this, but I'll just say it again: Weight loss AND maintenance, which is the real game, are achieved through consistency over time. Perfection doesn't apply. Getting back on the horse over and over and over do apply. Climbing back up onto the saddle the next day (and not a week later) has been one of the most powerful tools I've built and relied on these past several years.

And IMHO a positive attitude and positive self-talk are rocket boosters. You're fortunate to have access to and able to tap into those rocket boosters.

[Dutchie]

I am really happy for you!
I think you are doing so well!
This is great for you, but also in a way for me.
This is really encouraging.
Like Ann said, loosing is only part of the deal, maintaining is the real game.
But by reading your story, I am convinced that getting back in the saddle is totally possible.
Thanks for sharing this with us, I think that took a lot of courage!
I'm still cheering you on!
You go girl!

[sraebaer]

Soon it will be those bikini photos!!