Tuesday, March 8, 2011

~~~AND JUST WHAT WAS I WEIGHTING FOR??~~~

 ~NEW CLOTHES ARE COMING!~

Yesterday while jabbering away about Shabby Cottage Chic Easter Eggs I mentioned that I had recently lost 25 pounds.  I do believe I received more direct emails about this than any other subject of late.  And so today, I'm going to try and answer all your questions about how I lost the pounds in hopes you will be inspired to deal with your own weight issues.
~I PEDAL AWAY EVERY SINGLE DAY~

According to information I found at WebMD, I've never been in the obese category.  For this I'm profoundly thankful.  Losing any amount of weight and keeping it off isn't easy!  Since my argument for years and years has been that I only needed to lose a FEW pounds, it became commonplace for me to 'excuse away' the excess weight  I had gained over the past fifteen years as something that 'just wasn't a big deal'.
~MR. AGPMAN IS LOSING, TOO!~

Well~last Christmas I caught the FLU and it landed in me at my Doctor's doorstep.  I had avoided stepping upon Dr. D's scale for some time, but after seeing a few photographs taken of me last September at a friend's wedding I figured it was time to face the music.  I knew I'd packed on some unwanted pounds, but imagine my shock when I watched the numbers on the scale climb to an all time high!  I was sick and near faint and trust me when I tell you it wasn't from the Flu. 
~I ONLY WISH!~

I'm not sure what to call that moment of distinct clarity.  I can only say that over the years of gaining and losing, gaining and losing more weight than I can say that I finally decided that ENOUGH was ENOUGH.  No matter what I was going to get myself back down to a healthy weight and nothing and no one was going to stop me.  I was stunned and totally disappointed in ME and I couldn't believe I had allowed my life to control me instead of me controlling my life.  I've seen firsthand what obesity and heart disease can do to people I love and vowed to never fall into that often preventable trap if at all possible.
~FEELING YOUNG AT HEART~

And so...for me this new and fresh journey began with being totally honest with myself.  I mean...I've heard all my life that you can't change what you don't acknowledge.  I first had to admit that I needed to lose 35-40 pounds and NOT the 10-15 I constantly complained and whined about.  The next thing I did was join Weight Watchers Online and I'm totally crazy-happy with their new Points Plus Program!  Although I totally understand there are people out there who need outside motivation to stay on track with a weight loss plan, I am not one of those people.  I'm happy to do the program within my own home...no weighing in public, meetings, etc.!   My motivation was simply that I was tired of feeling sluggish and crummy as well as not recognizing the person staring back at me in the mirror.  I also secretly knew that if I jumped on the Weight-Watchers-Wagon there was a good chance my Mr. AGPMan would do the same. I was spot-on in my hopes of him joining me, too!  My guy is down 17 pounds and looking and feeling great!!!  HANDSOME AS EVVVVAH!  I'm soo proud of him!

There you have it!  As of a week ago I've lost more than half the weight I hoped to lose!  I have about 15 pounds to go to reach my goal weight and trust me when I say I feel the happy dance coming on!  For me it's been all about getting healthy...the side benefit is that I have a great excuse to get some brand spanking new clothes and even shoes.  Even my feet have SRUNK (not kidding!).  Trust me when I say~ if I can do this then you can do this!
 YOU CAN!

Love to you from...

The Ever Shrinking
 

34 comments:

joanne said...

Congratulations Rebecca! I found WW to be the healthiest way to change those nasty habits...and if you exercise you can eat more. hehe. Glad to see you are feeling so much better..best wishes to you and APGman..;j

Kerrie said...

Congrats! How terribly wonderful! You certainly have discipline and that is a must. Keep up the good work! Hugs, K

Theresa said...

I am soooooo proud of you! It is an important decision, when you make your mind up... that is the first step! I am also proud of Mr. AGPMan! Keep up the good work, bikini season is just around the corner, I know... me either:)

Have a blessed evening, HUGS!

Jen said...

Congratulations to you! I wish I was like that, I need to go to meetings and be accountable to someone else weighing me...sigh
I am also very determined to get this excess off and just feel better and healthier.

Jeannette

The Vintage Vagablonde said...

WW online is the best...lost almost 20 lbs last year!!!!! goodfor u and hubby 2 :)

Patti said...

Congratulations!!! That's wonderful.

I, too, have been at an all-time high these past few years...even more than full-term pregnant. Well, in December, I finally got serious about it...began exercising almost every day AND watching my portion size. And, I'm happy to say, I'm down 17 pounds since December. I was actually able to wear a dress on Sunday that I hadn't worn in over a year because it had been too tight.

I still want to lose 10 more pounds, and I know that as I, like you, am disciplined with my eating and exercising, it will happen.

Have a great day.

Love,
Patti

Lore♥ said...

Hola mi amiga!!!
Como estas?....el 8 de marzo es el dia internacional de la mujer! es por eso que no pude dejar de pasar a saludarte y decirte que dejé unos regalitos para ti en mi blog me encantaria lo pases a buscar,
tambien quiero felicitarte por los hermosos trabajos que haces siempre....
FELIZ DIA DE LA MUJER TRABAJADORA!!!
un abrazo grande
gracias por tu cariño de siempre
besos
Lore

Julie Marie said...

"Weigh" to go Rebecca!!! And Mr. AGP too!... xoxo Julie Marie

myletterstoemily said...

congratulations on an amazing race
you are winning! it's not a fun one
to run but so great to finish!

ShabbyESP said...

Great job Rebecca!!!
I am also pretending that I only have a "few pounds" of unwanted weight.
While I was getting ready for my cruise I could not fit into ANY of my shorts...so I went on my cruise with no shorts to wear and then when I put on my bathing suit there was no way I was going to be seen looking like I did, I was quite embarrassed and depressed that I let my self get like this. When I got back on Friday I bought all healthy food and started on my "journey" yesterday and hopefully I will lose at least 30-35 pounds but if I lose more I won't complain.
Thanks for sharing your story with us and wish me luck that I can do as well as you did. You are doing great!!! Congrats to Mr AGPMan too!!!
Suzann ~xoxo~

BonjourRomance said...

Congratulations Rebecca. I am right there with you, those 'few extra' pounds have become so much more. I just tried on my warm weather dresses from last year...it was not good! There is no Weight Watchers here in France, but you have inspired me to just start eating healthy starting NOW!
Good for Mr AGP too.
Mimi

Rita said...

How wonderful, Rebecca. I'm so proud of you and your accomplishment! Hang in there and the other 15 will go! Congrats to both of you and pulling for you all the way!!!

NanaDiana said...

Congrats, Rebecca. How funny...I just signed up for WW online a few days ago. I was a WW years ago and did really well on the program. For me it is all about taking the time to prepare the food..and get it from the store...especially working-I just feel so rushed at times to do the old standard quick and easy meals..high calorie and fast. Sigh...I am hoping to find myself in your shoes (your newer smaller ones);>) Love to you- Diana

Susan said...

Congrats Rebecca!! That is awesome!

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Good for you! I am sure you are gorgeous, as you were gorgeous before you started!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I'm so glad you shared this with everyone! I would like to do a post, too. I have a lot of people ask me how I lost weight. But the key is to find a program that suits you and STICK to it! You really look great and don't you feel amazing? I have so much more energy and it's FUN to buy new clothes in a smaller size! KUDOS to you, my friend AND to hubby!! ♥♥♥

Rebecca Nelson said...

Ceekay...Girlfriend...I am soooo totally NOT gorgeous. You are too kind. You are. I'm just happy to recognize my face again and to feel healthier and strong. Carrying around so many extra pounds is exhausting and my knees just couldn't take it anymore!

Thank you just the same for the VERY kind and SWEET compliment.

xoRebecca

Mariette said...

Dearest Rebecca,

Don't know this problem of being overweight but I know one thing for sure. In 2007 when I was diagnosed with diabetis type II, that's when I right away did cut out the sugar out of my diet as I didn't want to go on medication for it. Since than my blood sugar level has been fine and as a bonus (though I didn't need it) I lost about five pounds. That is telling all of you how much sugar is adding to your overall weight. And once you start reading the information on sugar on ALL things you buy, you LEARN A LOT!
Good luck to you for getting the second part off and also to your husband.

Lots of love,

Mariette

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

That is AWESOME!!! I admire your strenght to do it...
I'm having a hard time staying on any plan..
I need to "DO" it...after all it's my word for the year.
Warmly,
deb

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Congrats Rebecca and such an honest pep talk for the rest of us.
I lost 18 lb on WW on-line several years ago and put it back on, tried with them again but was not successful.
I'm a stress eater so know what I have to conquer first before the weight comes off again.
I'm very happy for you and your hubby.
Judith

Marilyn said...

Wonderful news and well done. ♥♫

Shirley said...

Hi Rebecca, I am so happy for you and your hubby. You do feel better when you get rid of the excess weight. I have been lucky and stay the same so far no gaining or losing. That may change with the stress in my life. We do a diebetic diet because I have two that are diebetic and it is easier. Have a great day. Your Missouri Friend.

Dolores said...

You have inspired me..... and I definitely need to be inspired. I'm doing a lot of stress eating .... and I KNOW that Weight Watchers is one of the best long term weight loss programs, but I didn't know there was a good one on line. I can't and don't want to go to one of their programs that I attended in the past..... thanks so much. I'm going to check into this and hopefully I can lose some weight too.
Hugs,

Heaven's Walk said...

Hey Sweetie! Thank you SO much for sharing your diet secrets with us all. I am SO ready to lose the 15 more pounds I have to lose. One of my knees is giving my probs, and I've developed plantar fasciitis on top of that. ALL because of my (menopausal) weight gain over the past 4 years. Ugh! I feel lousy, look lousy, my clothes don't fit, and things MUST change. I hesitate to join WW online because there's a charge. Is it TRULY worth the money - or do you think I could it on my own?

Do you own a stationary bike or regular bicycle? How long do you bike/day?

Thank you for being so honest and supportive, Rebecca. You are TRULY an inspiration to me and I would be willing to take any measures that you suggest to help me lose this baggage! ♥

Hugs ~

xoxo laurie

Anonymous said...

Oh, my most beautiful one and getting skinning on us! I'm so proud of you as I know it's not an easy thing to do - loosing weight. Weight Watchers has always been a favorite of mine. I lost, gained it back and lost again! :) The yo yo thing! ;)
New clothes are always a nice treat! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Jocelyn said...

Way to go Rebecca! A year ago November I gave up all sugar, refined flour products, sodas, dairy, and all fried foods and have lost about 25 pounds since then. The first 10 just fell off! I hope your and Mr AGPMan continue onward to reach your goals.!

Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

Tanza said...

Ooohhh my sweet ~r~,
I thought you were just PeRFeCt the way you were !! Not kidding ..Beautiful !! And, your heart just as BEAUTIFUL !! That's EvEn more important .. See, what LoVe does, makes someone always look PeRfEcT !! You know I LoVe and AdorE you !!
YoU gooo Girlie, I'm right here cheering you on ~
LoVe and Sugar free HuGs ~TeA~

A Rose Without A Thorn said...

Dear Rebecca, I am in desperate need to lose about 40lbs also. Where does it come from, I mean I blinked and there it was. Tying laces on my trainers is hard, my stomach gets in the way. How dare it!

You are inspiring me to do something about it. How I would love to end the feeling of constant tiredness and lethary. I will keep you posted!! Blessings, Maureen.

Patty C. said...

Congratulations !!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your story with us about the WW diet program and your progress...you and Mr.AGPMan are an inspiration to all of us!! I need to check out this on-line program because I could lose at least ten pounds and it would SO help the burden the extra weight puts on my knees and feet, with all of the back problems I have it is important not to be over-weight.
You have motivated me to try...and since it is on-line I can do it without having to go to a clinic weekly....something hard for me to do.
Keep us posted on your progress, and just think, you will be able to buy a lovely new Easter outfit by the time Easter gets here!!!! FUN!!!
Hugs to the new SKINNY you!! Francy

Anonymous said...

I joined Weight Watchers in January and have already lost 16 pounds. The new points plus system is great. My husband has been doing Atkins on and off for the past 6 months. He is down 20 pounds, but is considering a switch to Weight Watchers as he watches me lose while eating a varied and healthy diet. I would love it--he is a "bacon, sausage, eggs, steak and onions only" type of Atkins dieter and his current diet is expensive, high in saturated fat, and low in many nutrients and fiber. Good luck on your lifestyle change! Kris

Anonymous said...

I'm proud of you Rebecca! I'm right there with you. After trying countless programs and diets, I just decided to eat in moderation... no 'forbidden' foods. I too have lost 25 pounds doing this. I also walk 3.5 miles a day everyday except Sunday. Still have 20 more to go, but I know I can do it and so can you, to reach our goals! Onward, Lisa B.

Joanie said...

You are very inspiring and your post was just the kick in the pants I needed. I'm doing WW online too (half-heartedly, I admit :( ) so I have a renewed motivation after reading your post. Thank you so much and please keep posting about your weight loss!

See ya lighter!

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

Good for you honey! I am so proud of you because all I have done is talk about it and you did it.
WW has been on my mind and now after reading your story I know it is the way I should go too.
So wonderful of you to share this with us.
By the way you look great.
Love ya
Maggie

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