I have lost over 190 lbs...

[keriann_forgoodthistime]

I have lost over 190 lbs throughout my lifetime - and yet I'm still "overweight". But it really puts everything into perspective, ya know...

1997 (high school) I lost 70 pounds going from 220 to 150

2002 (college) I lost 40 pounds going from 220 to 180

2003 (after college graduation) I lost 45 pounds going from 205 to 160

2008 I lost 17 pounds going from 197 - 180

NOW (and for the very last time and still losing) I'm down 17 pounds starting at 196 and now I'm currently at 179.

It actually really pisses me off that I've lost weight SO many times and yet never kept it off. (however, the 2003 - 45 pound loss was kept off until I developed Insulin Resistance and gained 40 back in 2007).

But seriously - I am turning 30 years old in August - and I've "obsessed" over my eating style since the age of 12!!!!!!!!!!!

Now - granted, every single "diet" up until now has been low-fat low-calorie...and now I truly honest to god feel like I've FINALLY found the RIGHT way to live - mainly because I've actually educated myself on WHY I should not eat sugar and how DANGEROUS sugar really is...and, for me, I truly do believe I will eat this way for the rest of my life because - while there are days that I miss some sugary foods - to me, sugar really IS poison - knowing that if I eat sugar I WILL gain weight again so that actually makes me want to STAY AWAY from it for the rest of my life!

But this way of eating, unlike (even weight watchers) every low-fat diet out there, eating no sugar and low-carb ACTUALLY makes SENSE to me! THAT is why I KNOW that this WILL be the LAST diet I'm EVER on - because it's NOT a diet - it truly is my new way of eating. I don't even have to TRY and I'm losing weight. I love the food I eat - it's EASY to eat low-carb and I truly honestly don't obsess anymore over the "amounts" of food I put in my body anymore (meaning I don't count every calorie, point, measure everything, etc...)

I actually DO stop eating when I feel satisfied. It's amazing!

But all of this and it just sucks that it took me THIS long to finally "get with the program" and realize that WHOLE foods NO sugar really is the way to go.

I really do want to cry though, thinking about HOW MANY TIMES I've lost and gained and lost and gained weight throughout my lifetime. But none of that matters anymore because I finally feel like I AM living life the way I need to live it - and the way that will keep me healthy to live it much longer too.

I just needed to really talk that out of my brain. I know I talk on these boards so much about how much I LOVE living low-carb but it really amazes me to stop and think about stuff like this, as "healthy living" and "weight loss" has been my OCD issues since the age of 12 and yet now I've pretty much done a complete 180 in my thinking as far as how TO do things - and I couldn't be happier!
Thank you to all who listened.

[Simona]

My jaw dropped when I saw the subject line! Then I read your post. LOL! Still pretty amazing - I'm sure most of us have been there...especially with the low-fat/low-cal diets. Ive been "dieting" since I was 12 - Im now 37. That's a lot of dieting to get me up to 350lbs! LOL!

Im like you...I think Ive FINALLY found something I can stick with FOR LIFE! I dont feel the need to gorge myself and eat all the time. It's wonderful!

[widget246k]

This is the first "diet" that really isn't one for me. I am satisfied when I eat and I like the foods that I'm eating. I did Weight Watchers and could barely get out of bed some mornings because I was so hungry and weak. I have tons of energy and feel so good eating this way, Like you said, I'll never feel the same way about sugar. I have gone on that weight roller coaster ride and while it's not fun and it sucks, I think that my many attempts to lose weight other ways (low cal, low fat) have paved the way for me to adopt this lifestyle. I have faith that you'll make it to your goal and stay there!!

[Elizellen]

What a great uplifting post

[msanjelpie]

I think of it as I've lost 1000 lbs (probably more counting daily fluctuations) and gained 1134 lbs so I'm SO close, why can't it be the other way around?

Yoyo dieting for 20 years really does a number on the brain. I know I have an eating disorder, and I just keep thinking, if I can JUST get to where I want to be I SWEAR I'll be good and stay there! Please pretty please just let me get there...

I know that Atkins is the easiest diet, the healthiest diet, and the one that makes me FEEL the greatest while I'm on it... I know I'm on the right path and I just have to stay on it and not veer off for some excuse or another...

I like your posts... I always agree with them

[keriann_forgoodthistime]

Originally Posted by msanjelpie

Yoyo dieting for 20 years really does a number on the brain. I know I have an eating disorder, and I just keep thinking, if I can JUST get to where I want to be I SWEAR I'll be good and stay there! Please pretty please just let me get there...

that's just it!!! I don't know if it actually is truly considered an "eating disorder" - but I have always considered myself to have one. to me, yo-yo dieting/weight loss is JUST as unhealthy as any other "by-the-book" eating disorder. Constantly "starting the next day" and then failing within days because I can't let go of the sugar habit - or always "needing" to find that "way" that works...but never does.

what rocks about atkins - for me - it truly is saving my life - both physically, as I know that continuing low-carb for the rest of my life will NOT lead to diabetes or heart disease, like the rest of my family - but also mentally. I'm FINALLY at "peace" with how I eat - and knowing how EASY this way of eating truly is makes me SO happy because I DON'T have to "obsess" over numbers anymore (meaning number of calories or points).

it's just so funny - i used to hate the idea of atkins - and yet atkins is the ONE and ONLY way of eating that truly will be what I do for the rest of my life.

[Sunny_0ne]

Whoa! Your title got my attention, too!

I love your posts, Keri. You are always so positive and motivated... in spite of the frustration of your weight coming off slowly.

But you are right... this WOE is a joy to live with, so there is no incentive for me to even think of eating differently.

[jende]

I definitely have a rule that I do stick with. I don't buy bigger clothes. When my clothes start to feel uncomfortable it's time to lose again. So get rid of those clothes when you do lose pounds.

I never did reach my goal before either. But this time it will happen. It's happened for millions so it can happen for me....and you.

[jende]

I really do want to cry though, thinking about HOW MANY TIMES I've lost and gained and lost and gained weight throughout my lifetime

Stop looking back. Only look forward.

[imagood1]

Keri -- I agree with jende about not looking back only forward. I've spent so much of my life wishing I had done something different and you know what, it's just a waste of time because I can't go back and change it and if I could I wouldn't be the sweet wonderful great gal I am today....ROFLMAO!!!!!

You have begun a new chapter in your life as of last weekend - so continue with the weight loss (for the last time), gather all the strength you have and step forward.

I had a post a few weeks ago somewhat like this one for you -- about me being a quitter...since I put it in black and white I've had quite a change in my mindset - I needed to get the words out of my mind so I had space for how I'm feeling now. Hope the same happens for you!