Friday, January 11, 2013

My weight loss story

This isn't something I have talked much about on here but I would like to now. I started blogging March of last year so about 10 months ago. That means that you folks didn't know me around Christmas time last year. Around December of last year, I weigh over 20 pounds more then I do now. You can see evidence below.
I am so happy with the progress I have made over the last year and I am still losing and trying to get down to my goal weight. I have 7 pounds to go until then. I also thought it might be helpful to talk about how I got 20 pounds overweight.

In high school I was always an athlete. I played three sports throughout the school year and I played basketball in the summer. Well after I graduated high school and I wasn't continuously playing competitive sports I gained about 8 pounds. I was still completely happy with myself and content with where I was at. Then I went off to college in September and I gained about another 12 pounds over the corse of 4 months. Then I started to realize that I wasn't liking the way I looked or the way I felt. So around January of last year I started to work on myself. I starting going to the gym everyday and logging my food with the WebMD food and fitness planner. (So helpful, and free!) And I started to see results. Yeah, it has taken me about a year to lose 20 pounds but I am so happy with where I am at now. And I feel 100% confident in my body. Like I said I am still trying to get down to my goal.  But if I don't I am happy with where I am at now.

When I first started my blog I would actually post about my weight loss journey see here and here. But then I found other interest that I wanted to focus my blog on. 

I am sure I could have lost 20 pounds faster then a year but over the last summer I wasn't to strict with myself and I still eat the foods I want. I just make sure to work out more. Since it is a new year, I feel motivated to get back on track and finish off my goal. My family is all trying to lose some weight, so we all weighed and my mom wrote down everyones weight in a notepad and each week we will weigh in and write it down again. We aren't competing, it is more just to keep each other accountable.
Here are my tips for losing weight:
1. Make it a lifestyle change. I know this is the number one thing everyone reads about/hears about when starting to try to lose weight but it is true!! You can't do a crash diet and then sit at home for a week eating potato chips and except the weight to stay off. Yeah it took me a year but I am so happy! 
2. Eat what you like. Really. I don't ever eat anything I don't like just because it is lower in calories or something. I just find a substitute I do like. I was talking with my brother the other day and he was shocked to find out that sometimes a Caesar salad can be worse for you then a hamburger! And I know I would much rather eat a hamburger. 
3. Be active. I was always active when I was younger and throughout high school. So when I got to college and I wasn't as active I started to gain weight. Now I work out about 5 times a week. I also try to mix up my work outs too. I hate getting bored. 
4. Log your food/exercise. Like I said above. I log my food and exercise with WebMD food and fitness planner. It is free and really easy to us. I realized logging your food works when I watched my mom lose weight doing Weight Watchers while I was in high school. 

Anyways, I hope you don't mind that I shared this part of my life with you today. If you have any questions let me know. I might also post a few more times about my journey! 
love, Carlee 

18 comments:

  1. Good for you for sticking to a routine and getting to a weight that makes you happy. You look great.

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  2. You are so right about a lifestyle change!! I so agree. Love this story of your journey.

    XO Jenna
    Demureindiamonds.com

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  3. I can so relate to this, it truly is a journey! I have my weight loss post highlighted in my bar at the top of my blog because I ended up losing 100 pounds using the Wii Fit and people went nuts over it! Congrats on the loss, you're beautiful!

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  4. Congrats on the weight loss! I've lost about 50 pounds in the last 2 years, 20 of which was this year. It's tough but it's doable! And it has to be a life decision, not just a "get skinny fast" scheme!

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  5. So happy I got to read this! So inspiring :) keep up the good work!

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  6. Wow, you look awesome! I'm trying to lose a few pounds and its sooo hard for me! I love my goodies but I'm working on saying no to sweets :) You're definitely an inspiration!

    xo, Jenna

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  7. Wow, you look great!
    I think it's always the most important that we are healthy and confident with our bodies more then anything else! :)

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  8. You look great, congratulations! :)

    Sabrina
    http://thelittleowlshop.blogspot.com

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  9. way to go girl :) that's awesome! and 20 pounds in a year is a healthful weight loss--people who try to lose quickly mess up their metabolism which can cause more weight gain/health/thyroid problems in the future. i think you definitely did it the right and safe way, and you look GREAT!! :)

    xo,
    kristyn

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  10. You were already 'skinny' in that before picture! You look really good though :)

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  11. Congratulations! You looked amazing in both pictures anyway! Lol I used to hate PE at school - I never realised how much of a different just that bit of exercise once or twice a week(plus all the walking I did to and from school) made until I stopped doing it!

    Jenni x

    Bowsbanglesandbakes.blogspot.com

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  12. Great post! You look great! x

    www.katvaldez.com

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  13. I don't mind at all. This is such a great post. Been wanting to read something like this. I mean not the one who just do it for some advertising purposes, I mean the natural way and the one who really did it. I've registered on WebMD too! :D

    xx
    ellie
    http://chasingculprit.blogspot.com/

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  14. Congratulations! You look great, and it's awesome that you were able to keep this up. Those are some really great tips. I had no idea about the WebMD thing, I definitely want to try that!

    -Violet

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  15. congratulations !!! you look beautiful!
    maybe you would like to follow each other?
    xoxo

    www.mychoicebysorana.blogspot.ro

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  16. thanks for sharing and great work! i also gained a little weight when i started college and then had to be more conscientious about what i was eating and just make sure i was getting in exercise too. it really is a lifestyle change and i love how you sensibly lost weight in a way that is sustainable!
    -- <a href="http://jackiejade.blogspot.com>jackiejade.blogspot.com</a>

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  17. Congrats on all the hard work and determination! You look fabulous :)

    xo Shane

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  18. I totally agree with you! Eating what you like is so important. Depriving yourself is the same as starving yourself :)
    Well done Carlee!
    Britney of Lemonwood and Honey

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Thanks for the wonderful comment. I read and enjoy every single one. Have a question for me, I will reply as soon as I can. Love , Carlee