How I did it: I made a commitment to myself last year in February to give myself a year to lose the weight. My goal at the time was to reach 120 and I thought 115 would be my ideal weight. Well I reached 115 during that summer--I started off at 138!--and since then pretty much maintained and didn't lose. I've always told myself that it doesn't matter how long it takes though as long as I'm doing it the right way. Today is actually the first day I've been below 110, right at 109.4lbs so I'm extremely proud of reaching my goal! And have lost a total of 29 lbs! Trust me, when I set out for reaching 110 it was very lofty but I told myself it is a perfectly healthy weight to be for my height so I knew it was attainable.

I started losing weight by cutting out fast food (over time) and eating fresher. I really enjoy fruit and vegetables now. I actually prefer that my meals are more simple now and they are completely more satisfying. I also drink water like it's going out of style! I have at least 8 cups a day. I don't exercise regularly but am hoping to start that up.

Really though, this has been easy for me and how I want to remember my 20's and I want to look and feel the best that I can. So really, it's just been about bettering myself and improving my quality of life. If you are sick and tired of not having the body you've dreamed of or envied, just know that you can have it. Just set small, reachable goals and I promise they will become a part of your daily habits.

I have lost the weight without counting calories or having a heavy fitness routine, I just try to be a little active every day, whether that's making the bed and vacuuming or dancing around in the morning, or stretching before bedtime. And eat what you want to eat, not what you think you should eat. The changes you make need to be sustainable for a lifetime if you want it to be lasting. Good luck chicas and it can be done! ;)

Lessons & tips: Don't be hard on yourself, take every day as a new day and just remember the end goal.
Drink lots of water!
Try not to restrict yourself--I eat whatever I want and never feel deprived. It's a lifestyle change, not a 'diet.'
Eat what will make you feel better over a longer period of time (ex. if you eat 3 slices of pizza instead of 2 or 1 will you feel guilty? if the answer is yes, choose the guilt-free option!).
Take 'before' pictures or anything else you'd like to use as a measurement of how far you've come. Oftentimes I'd be down and then remember, I've already lost and I've been maintaining! So for that, I was grateful.

Resources: Different books, podcasts, online communities of people with similar goals like Sparkpeople, 43things.

Apr 03, 2009, 07:24AM PDT | 6 comments | 16 cheers