I try not to think of the big picture. 120 lbs. gone is the big picture. It’s a huge number, and when I think about it, I get extremely overwhelmed.
I start to question myself..
- maybe if I liked regular milk instead of chocolate milk as a kid…
- maybe if I didn’t have that Burger King habit when I worked at the grocery store…
- maybe if I didn’t sneak an ice cream snack every day after school…
- maybe if I ate better in the all you can eat cafeteria when I was in college…
- maybe if I didn’t randomly grab fast food at 3am because I had the munchies…
- maybe if I chose a career that wasn’t a desk job…
- maybe if I kept going after the wedding with my weight loss instead of gaining 58 lbs…
In January 2012, I was staring at a weight that was dangerously close to 300 lbs. 300 lbs. Football players are supposed to be 300 lbs….not a gal like me.
So, I started doing something about it. Could I have done better the past 4 months? Of course. If I pushed myself, I could have probably lost double. But I was proud of the 20 lbs. that are gone. I’ll never see those pounds again.
Until yesterday. Yesterday, an email from someone who reads this blog basically said that 20 lbs. was nothing in the grand scheme of things, and this made me question those 20 lbs. I know…don’t let one random person get you down, but darnit, this one hit me hard. The email made me think about those other 100 lbs. that are left along my weight loss journey. I was staring at my before/now pictures and thinking negatively about the belly I still have, the double chin, the back fat….ugh. All I could see was the fat in my current pictures.
(Left–before, right–4/16/2012)
After a few great, encouraging comments from y’all, I thought about it again….My XL shirts are looser. I can pull my jeans down (when they’re still buttoned), and if I forget to wear a belt (which BTW is on its last notch), it’s a battle all day to keep them up.
(Yeah, never forgetting my belt again…)
So, while 20 lbs. is a small fraction of my total weight loss goal, it’s still something. Something I’m very proud of. I still have 100 lbs. to go, but thinking about it, I only have 5 more rounds of 20 lbs. to lose. I can do this 5 more times. 🙂
Egh I hate when people are downers like that. I agree when you look at it 20 lbs of 120 lbs is 1/6. Sure that seems like nothing when you are talking about say I dunno… sand. (this is a horrible comparison) but weight loss is a whole other ball game.
I’ve never been skinny and yes, I’ve hit the 200 lbs mark (non-preggo) so any pound loss in my ‘history’ , with my body type with my slow metabolism is HUGE. I would get excited just with a mere 2 lbs less on the scale.
You are doing amazing! and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Of course you can do this another 5x…. you did it once and thats the hardest part (now you just gotta keep at it)
I will be your personal cheerleader if you need one, and tell me whos being negative, because this hormontal mama will whip their ass!!!
Thanks Kelly! 😀
Wow. Whoever sent you that email is a complete and total A*SSHOLE! Not only is 20 lbs an accomplishment, it’s more about the fact that you are getting HEALTHY! I think this journey isn’t about losing the weight, it’s about moving towards a healthy lifestyle so you can enjoy a long, fulfilling life…I’m so sorry, if I were you I’d reply back to that email with a big ‘F*CK YOU’ and then never think about it again!
I definitely agree! While I have a number in mind for weight loss, it’s all about how I feel health and fitness wise! I just want to make a lifestyle change here, because I know I won’t be dieting for the rest of my life!
This made me cry. Not because I’m sad, but because I’m thrilled for you. Twenty pounds is such a ginormous accomplishment. I don’t know why, but I can’t seem to move past losing one pound and then gaining it right back, so to see that you’ve pushed past that hurdle is fantastic. Keep at it and screw those with negative comments. We are hard enough on ourselves as it is! I’m really, really proud of you!
Thanks Jessica! You are awesome, btw…and I know you can get to your goals too! 🙂
First of all, 20 pounds isn’t a big deal- it’s a HUGE DEAL. And you should be very proud of all you’ve accomplished thus far. Secondly, the past is the past- you can’t change what’s been done or not done. What you should focus on ( and it seems like you are) is the fact that you are now making a positive change in your life and you are working to make that change permanent. Every inch and every pound count because they are one step closer to your goal. Congratulations on all that you’ve done so far! I know you can definitely do this 5 more times 😀
Thanks, Liz! I am so proud of myself (and surprised…my motivation isn’t usually this strong!)…the scale is no longer going up, and I’m noticing small things that are already changing for me. It’s pretty darn addictive! Can’t wait to see what happens after I do this 5 more times!
20 pounds is amazing!! I’m so inspired by you. Good job for working hard and keeping your head up through it all. You should be SO proud of yourself and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Thanks so much!
I think that losing 20 pounds is an amazing accomplishment!! And I can totally see a difference in your current before and afters. I know you can stick with this and keep seeing incredible results. We’re cheering you on!
Really? Thank you!! 😀
Amy – losing 20 pounds is a huge accomplishment! and I think anyone who doesn’t recognize that must be coming from a place of jealousy (why else would someone say something so untrue and unhelpful?!). You are well on your way to your goal weight and you know you have a big group of people who will cheer you on the whole way there. Keep up the awesome work and please don’t let anyone discourage you from the wonderful steps you’re taking towards being healthy!
Thank you! I’m so appreciative of my friends here! I just love y’all’s support and encouraging words! 🙂
I think 20 pounds is a great accomplishment! So many people never even START to do something about a thing they’d like to change (not just weight loss). I wouldn’t worry about the opinion of someone who takes time out of their day to send you a negative email. Who does that?? Keep up the good work!
Thank you!
I can’t believe someone would have the nerve to say something like that to someone! Don’t discount any of your success. You’re doing great!!
Yeah, I’m noticing people can be pretty mean behind a computer screen, but that’s OK. Thanks for your support!
Anyone who thinks 20 lbs is “nothing” is insane. 20 pounds is a lot to lose and it’s not easy to do so (my husband has been trying to lose 20 lbs forever!) but you DID it. You did it and you are continuing to do it. It’s a great accomplishment and it’s a shame that someone tried to take that away from you. Keep up the good work 🙂
Thanks! And good luck to your husband on his weight loss!
Girl, 20 pounds is a BIG deal!!!! Don’t you dare let anyone tell you otherwise!!!!! Seriously… feel a 1 lb block of butter – now times that by 20! Seriously – that is a huge accomplishment! WAY TO GO LADY!!!!!! You are an inspiration! 🙂
Thanks Tina!! I love that you compared it to butter…that is a lot of butter! 😀
When you’re trying to lose weight, 1lb is a big deal. In fact, every -1lb is great – considering it could be +1lb. You didn’t gain it overnight, so it won’t come off overnight. Slow & steady is the best way – you’re doing great!
Maybe they are just jealous… 🙂
That’s exactly how I ideally want this to work. If it takes me a couple of years to reach goal weight, I’m OK with that. As long as the numbers (big picture wise) keep going down!
Ditto what everyone else said. 20 lbs is an awesome accomplishment!
Thanks!! 🙂
Believe me, i just thought about this recently. I was feeling really proud of myself about my 25 lbs. lost but then bad thoughts crept in. I started thinking that i should’ve never gotten to 220 lbs. and that 25 lbs. is not that much weight lost. But, it really is a great accomplishment and something to be proud of. i’m proud of you!
I’m proud of you too, SEESTER! 😛 It’s hard not to have those thoughts…we were both serious snackers in the house. At least things are a-changin’!
You have done an AMAZING job girl!! I can’t even believe you have to lose that much more, there’s no way you’ll blow over in the wind! 🙂
Keep up the good work!!!
Haha! I guess my height hides my weight fairly well (I’m 5’10”). Most people don’t believe me when I tell them my weight (I have no shame..I’m currently 278 in that photo). Of course, I’m basing my goal weight off of the Internet and it’s a number I’ve never seen on me before, so my goals may change. 🙂 My biggest priority is being healthier and more fit!
The next time you doubt how much weight 20 pounds is, pick up two sacks of russet potatoes from the grocery store and carry them up and down a staircase. 20 pounds is a lot! You should be so proud of your progress!
Now, THAT is a good dose of perspective! Thank you!
Seriously my dear…I know everyone else has said this, but 20 lbs is a BIG deal! Yes, it is a first step to a larger number, but being able to take that big step toward it is a huge accomplishment! And honestly, I think that the first step is probably the hardest…and why so many people fall off the wagon when it come to their health/weight loss goals. You can do it!
I was also going to suggest, like Alyssa, to pick up two bags of ice…they’re 10lbs each…it is insane how heavy they feel, and kind of cool to think that you have already lost that much! It’s not a small amount!
20 is a huge deal!!! The fact is you are working hard to achieve your goal. There are always going to be jealous spiteful people in the world. Celebrate what you’ve done and know that you have it in you to accomplish the rest of your goal. I don’t know you, and it’s highly likely I’ll never meet you, but I want you to know that I’m proud of what you’ve accomplished so far. I’ve struggled with my weight my whole life, and am trying to make healthy changes. I like knowing there is someone out there going through the same journey. Good luck to you!
Whoever said that is totally wrong; 20 pounds is definitely a big deal. As someone who struggles with her weight, I can say that I am incredibly proud of you for losing that weight. No matter what, you are trying to be healthy and be good to yourself, and that is the most important thing.
P.S. I’ve just started reading your blog, and I love it! Thanks for all of your writing and keep it up!
I found your your blog through TWLC3 and I have to say that your before and after photos are AMAZING! Think of what you will accomplish in the coming months!!! I have about 50 pounds to lose and I think the reason I’ve never stuck with a lifestyle change before is because I am easily discouraged in the same way. What is 10 pounds? I don’t look any different…still had that double chin (what a bummer that chin is). But now I’m finding joy at the end of EVERY single day I make choices to be healthier. I’m happy because I know I put another block in the stack that will eventually become a HUGE mountain of an accomplishment. Keep up the good work and know that your cheerleaders far outnumber anyone with anything negative to say.
20lbs is a big deal. Especially in the beginning- when cravings and bad habits are at their worst and hardest to get over! Way to go girl. Keep thinking positively and strongly 🙂
20lbs is a HUGE deal. I was happy when I lost 5lbs. I sometimes think that way too about my past choices. I think you just have to learn from them and move on. We can’t change the past but we can definitely make better/different decisions in the future.
You IGNORE that awful person who told you 20 lbs is not a big deal and listen to everyone else’s encouraging words. Reading that someone had the gall to say that to you made me so angry. I’m a competitive athlete and study holistic nutrition and I KNOW what an impact 20 lbs can have. There are all kinds of scientific research that backs up that statement and speaks to the benefits of incremental weight loss. Have you reached your goal? Of course not. But how do you get to that goal? By losing 20 lbs here, 10 lbs there, soon enough you’ll be feeling absolutely light on your feet, have more energy, breathe easier and feel and look great all around. People who say things like that are hiding behind a veil of anonymity from the internet. Not cool. You should be damn proud of yourself and may those 20 lbs give you the motivation you need to keep going.
I can’t believe someone said that. I’ve followed your blog since your wedding planning on Weddingbee. I’m so proud of your accomplishments. 20 POUNDS LOST IS NOTHING TO SNOOZE AT!
Congrats, Amy! You can do anything that you put your mind to!
(In other news, I thought of you the other day because I’m still using some of the stuff you sent me when I won your Louisiana giveaway many moons ago).