How to lose 130 pounds by MadameReya, dilettante extraordinaire

"Losing weight isn't much fun, and my story is no exception; but, I did it."

How I did it: I lost 130+ pounds the old-fashioned way - eating less, working my tail off, and renegotiating my health-related priorities. Using BMR calculations, I try on MOST days to eat about 1,500 cals to lose, 2,000 to maintain, and 'whatever I want' on certain occasions. ; )  I do not restrict fat or carbs or meat. Although I tend to eat very healthfully, the only real constraint to lose, for me, is calories. Also, most days I try to exercise off at least 250 calories...just by leisurely walking or biking. I am not athletically inclined, and do not enjoy forcing myself to do things, but I can definitely make time for 1/2 hour on the treadmill, a lovely hike, or a ride around a local park - with camera in tow!. Lastly, my Father died of a massive heart attack at 57 - I do NOT want my fate to resemble his.

[NB - I am 5' 4.5" and went from 280 pounds to ~135 - 140 pounds.]

Lessons & tips: The body is a smart machine - tricking it constantly is hard work. Calorie cycling is a good idea (variance in daily calories for a weekly net deficit), I think, but sometimes 'giving in' to cravings is necessary for a day or two, and certainly not a reason to fall off the wagon altogether. : )


9 people found this helpful
 

Oct 20, 2008, 01:17PM PDT | 14 comments | 40 cheers


Comments:

msjazz79

Great inspiration

Thank u so much for sharing your story:) I currently am 230 pounds and I’ve tried dieting god knows how many times. About 10 years I used to way 130 pounds but I was also playing 2 or 3 sports at a time. i wasn’t taught how to eat properly and now its caught up with me. I recently decided last week to try to really turn my lifestyle around. Yet it hasn’t been easy. Been going to the gym at least twice a week trying to get my raquetball game back into effect. Worried that I will get bored too fast and hit a plataeu. Yet reading your story is great, just hope it doesnt take me as long though (ten years!!) whew:)

Oct 20, 2008, 08:09PM PDT | Thread | Respond to this 3 cheers

MadameReya, dilettante extraordinaire

a subjective measure of time...

I guess that I consider weight maintenance an ongoing process – which is why I overestimate the time it took to achieve my loss. I don’t mean to make it sound as though I was on a ten-year-diet (believe me I was not) – after my initial drop from 280 to about 200, I had several long-term plateaus (at 190, 170, 160), and STILL battle with bouncing between 135 and 150.

BUT, even after reaching 190, I had several medical improvements – blood pressure, cholesterol ratio, and FELT better. I think those are the most important things – it all goes to reducing our health care costs (physiologically and medicinally) later in life. : )

Best of luck to you!!!

Oct 30, 2008, 10:13AM PDT | Respond to this 3 cheers

MamaKitty

I just have to say

Wow!

Wonderful accomplishment! You look great! I’m sure you feel great. And you are a terrific inspiration.

Beautiful

Oct 21, 2008, 08:10AM PDT | Thread | Respond to this 5 cheers

MadameReya, dilettante extraordinaire

Thank you, MamaKitty

I have a strong genetic predisposition to weight gain (huge appetite), so it’s still one day at a time for me! : )

Oct 30, 2008, 10:04AM PDT | Respond to this 2 cheers

DoubleN is working on selling the house

I echo

what the others have said. Wow!

Your comments are really helpful for all of us who are battling the bulge, especially since you obviously know what you’re talking about – from experience. Thanks for sharing!

Oct 21, 2008, 11:00AM PDT | Respond to this 4 cheers

daydreamer

Inspired!

I am trying to lose a total of 35lbs but keep on losing a few lbs and then gaining it back. The old fashioned way definitely works (as you’ve proved) – as long as there’s a big dollop of willpower too (mine waxes and wanes).

Thanks for sharing :)

Oct 26, 2008, 02:16AM PDT | Thread | Respond to this 4 cheers

MadameReya, dilettante extraordinaire

mine does, too : )

Personally, I can’t wait for the normalization of hormones that comes with menopause!

Oct 30, 2008, 10:15AM PDT | Respond to this 1 cheer

jimrin

In

spirational!

Oct 28, 2008, 08:06PM PDT | Respond to this 4 cheers

Mary Hawkins

Wow!

That’s almost half your bodyweight! Congratulations.

Oct 30, 2008, 09:36AM PDT | Respond to this 7 cheers

mahinui ever more at home

you look so happy and healthy

And I agree, you are inspirational!

Nov 01, 2008, 11:31AM PDT | Respond to this 1 cheer

bp

You do look so lovely in your coat and gloves. Congratulations on your incredible weight loss!

Nov 01, 2008, 02:44PM PDT | Respond to this 4 cheers

Carm

Good for you...

Congratulations on your amazing accomplishment, and thanks for sharing your story. You are to be commended for doing it in a healthy way. That it took some time means that you have truly changed your lifestyle and therefore have a great chance for keeping the changes permanent. Way to go!

Nov 01, 2008, 06:17PM PDT | Respond to this 5 cheers

Waynesworld is slowly starting to feel better.

Congratulations on your accomplishment!

You look fantastic, MadameReya!

Nov 01, 2008, 11:20PM PDT | Respond to this 4 cheers

Bob1623 Be the Fountain, not the Drain.

This is a great accomplishment

You should be very proud of yourself not only for the weight loss, but for the tenacity to keep going and never give up.

Congratulations.

Dec 20, 2008, 12:28PM PST | Respond to this


MadameReya, dilettante extraordinaire has gotten 40 cheers on this entry.

 

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