Tuesday, January 26, 2010

The Big Reveal - My Starting and Current Weight

You may have noticed that I've never actually posted my weight on this blog. Oh sure, I've posted how much I've lost over the last twenty months, but my starting weight never made it onto the blog. Why? Well, at first it was because I couldn't believe that I weighed as much as I did. I mean, we were talking linebacker heavy. Bigger than most men. More than twice as much as my mother. So yeah, it was a little hard to face. Truth hurts, ya know what I mean? That day in my doctor's office, when I actually looked at the scale instead of closing my eyes (yes, I literally did this for years - I just didn't want to know) was shocking. And when I faced that number and realized that even if I lost 100 pounds, I would still be overweight - well, I almost quit my diet right then and there, before I even started. But somehow I managed to put that number in the back of my head and concentrate on moving forward and NEVER seeing it on the scale again.

And I haven't. It's been a long process, but I've seen pretty steady movement down the scale...I am definitely the epitome of "slow and steady" to be sure! As the months went by and my weight dropped, I had some issues (that is putting it lightly) weighing in. Sometimes I would be exactly on plan and my weight wouldn't change. Talk about frustration, especially when I would have passed up eating a special meal or dessert! Other times, I would not have been particularly strict with my diet and would get a loss on the scale. And knowing how much it affected me, I tried, with the advice of many experienced losers out there in blogland, to NOT let the number on the scale matter so much. To measure my success in inches lost rather than pounds. To know that even when the scale doesn't move very much, I can fit into smaller clothes, so obviously my body is changing, even though the scale hasn't caught up.

This is why the focus of my blog has not been on a particular number. Heck, even my goal weight is a random number that I pulled from thin air - well, almost...I think it's the highest number that is recommended for someone of my height to weigh. Why did I choose the high number? Easy...I want to not have to starve myself to maintain it. I really have no idea if it will be the right number for me - I'll have to see how I feel once I get there.

One thing that has shocked me is seeing how much I weigh now, combined with what size I fit into. That is directly related to working out - I know that if I had simply lost this weight without all of the exercise, I would be wearing much bigger sizes. I cannot stress the importance of combining exercise - both cardio and strength-training, along with diet. And believe me, this was a hard pill to swallow in the beginning, as I was the couch potato queen! But as I lost the weight, I gained more energy and truly, through reading about other bloggers who were working out, I was inspired to finally get active.

Why reveal the numbers now? Well, I was going to wait until I hit my goal weight, but my blog has been receiving more attention lately and I've done a couple of interview-type things...and I finally listed the numbers on one that should be posted tomorrow. So I felt that it was only fair to let my readers know first. OK, here are the numbers:

Starting weight on May 14, 2008: 256
Today's weight: 152
Goal weight: 138

I started this journey just before my 45th birthday. Today I'm 46 1/2 and in the best shape of my life. But I'm not done yet - I'm still overweight. If I can lose over one hundred pounds, you can lose the weight you need to as well. Join me, won't you?

51 comments:

  1. I found that announcing my weight to the interweb was kind of liberating and I hope you felt the same. And I have to say that if you're considered overweight and look that awesome, well, we are all in trouble!

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  2. We are twinsies! I started out at 257, currently weigh 152. Well, except for your goal weight is lower than mine (148) but I am not nearly as motivated as you are.

    And yes, I have the same issues with size versus weight. I'm wearing a much smaller size than I should for my weight, but it's due to exercise I think.

    Seriously, you are doing so well. Your enthusiasm is contagious and just reading about your workouts make me TIRED!

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  3. Awesome numbers! I have never shared mine for a different reason - I think that we all share similar experiences and emotions that have everything to do with the journey and nothing to do with the number. That said, over 100 pounds is quite an accomplishment.

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  4. Congratulations! Instead of viewing the scale as my enemy, I view it as my friend. I greet it each morning because it is the only concrete, accurate measure of weight gain or loss and weight management IS one of my primary avenues of achieving and maintaining my goal -- good health!

    You've come a long way, "baby"!

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  5. So interesting to me what we each choose not to reveal... some of us choose not to reveal our size, shape and face; others choose their weight. I probably would not reveal my weight if I thought anyone I know in "real life" was reading. Did you find this exercise liberating Shelley. Right now as I sit here, I wish I could come over for a cup of coffee so that we could have a nice long talk.

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  6. You continue to inspire and I thank you.

    Workouts like yours don't put you in the 'epitome of slow and steady' WL category imo! (that would be ME) But at least I started when I did, y'know? And, we got ourselves a LIFESTYLE, baby!

    I am very impressed and proud of you, your WL, your hard work, & your great blog. Thanks for bringing us along on your journey, dahling. Chrissy

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  7. ...and the world didn't end :) I'm proud of you, chicka.

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  8. WOWWWW!!!! 104 down, and only 14 to go! That is amazing. Truly amazing.

    I am so very happy for you, but I'll bet you are the happiest of all (and rightly so).

    "Slow and steady" is about to cross the finish line :)

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  9. You are such an inspiration...I honestly have no idea how one mentally sets out to lose over 100 pounds - I had 48 pounds to lose and that seemed like the biggest mountain I had to climb...

    I agree...cardio and weights is a MUST when trying to lose the weight. I started running and found it changed the whole shape of my body.

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  10. Congratulations!!! That is such an amazing amount of work and determination! It seems like it is so much harder in the 40's. Maybe not physically even as much as mentally. I hope to follow in your foot steps! Well done!!

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  11. Way to go! You've done a fantastic job! :)

    I've lost over 100 pounds too, and I don't think I shared my high weight on my blog until I was below 200.

    And yes, I have a tendency to get way too focused on the scale, especially now that I am so close to my goal weight!

    I started at 272.5 lbs
    I've lost 131.5 lbs to date.
    I now weigh 141 lbs.
    My goal weight is 135.

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  12. Isn't finally telling....freeing? It's also ACCEPTANCE in a major way. Accepting who we are, but better than that, accepting and being proud of who we've become. Kudos, my friend!

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  13. Shelly,

    Loved this post and could relate to so much. I am much less worried about the number, especially when I am doing all the right things. It is discouraging to not see the number move, but I've come to know for myself that the number on the scale is just a moment in time. You can jump on and off all day log and get a diferent reading.

    Congrats on the awesome number. When I realized that I had over 100 lbs to loose, I was discouraged as well. So I just focused on being healither. I have never had a goal weight.

    Love ya so much Friend....thanks for sharing your life with us!

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  14. Shelley... you are amazing! Thank you so much for always being so inspirational to people like me who still have so much weight to lose. Because you have done it, I know it's possible!

    And the exercise-diet connection IS so important!

    Love your blog!

    Hollie

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  15. We are so alike in many, many ways! Thank you for being an inspiration!

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  16. I turned 40 last year. I'm with you on today's number 151.4 with my goal being 139. You're blog is very inspiring!! Thanks for sharing.

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  17. Great post! I am still a nervous wreck everytime I post my weekly weight. It gets a little easier each week, though. :) Congratulations!

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  18. Nice post-inspiring. Congrats again on your "slow and steady" approach to weight loss success-very reasonable and encouraging.

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  19. OMG, Shelley! I'm so proud of you!!! Wow. You're so inspiring and you look terrific!

    I started at 250 and my goal is 150. LOL You reached my goal! :) I'd really like to get in the 130s now but 150 would put me at a 100# loss.

    You're incredible. Truly. Now go out and reward yourself with some new workout clothes. :)
    ((HUGS))

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  20. SHELLEY! Its amazing how many of us have similar stories! My starting weight was 255.5 and my current weight 155.2--I would LOVE to see 152! And I chose the highest BMI as my goal weight too--it was 128 or 132 so you must be an inch or two taller than me.

    Just great to read your story!

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  21. Congrats on your success, I have been reading your blog for months now and I love it!! Inspired me to start on myself!!

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  22. I refer to my weight as "linebacker" size, too. I have yet to reveal the number but I do throw in clues by saying that I weigh the same as certain football players. One day, though...

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  23. I never told anyone how much I weighed at the beginning either. Only after loosing 100 lbs did I start to share my old weight and my new goal of 100 more. Congratulations on the 100 lb loss! that's awesome!

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  24. Ha! I left a comment to your comment on my blog. You need to try Zumba. I bet you would have the stamina to kick butt in that class! Seriously. And it really is a lot of fun. Would I lie to you? (no)

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  25. Congrats to you again for losing the weight. You are very inspirational to everyone. Thanks for sharing your journey.

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  26. We must be the same height, because that's the high end for my height too! Which I think the low end is like 110?! What?

    Bravo to you for sharing those numbers, but more importantly I think its how you feel and how far you've come!! Yeah!!

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  27. Congratulations! I too had that realization about the "bigger than a linebacker" moment and it wasn't a good feeling.

    You have accomplished so much - I am so happy for you!!

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  28. You are an inspiration! I started at 350+ and have lost over 100 lbs. This year I will lose my remaining "fluff."
    You look great and isn't it a relief to get that huge weight off our shoulders?

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  29. Amazing Shelley but I've said that before! You can be proud of what you achieved: you did it al by yourself!

    I like your thought that you don't want to starve yourself to maintain your weight. I can totally relate to that, I won't do that either once I've reached my goal.

    Have fun tomorrow at your Wednesday workout!

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  30. I loved this post. And I absolutely am inspired by your bicycle photos!

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  31. I am having a shitty day (sorry for the cursing on your blog) and so even though I did my 5 miler I was going to skip circuits.

    But now that you were all ballsy and put your numbers out there, I am about to go get changed and go.

    My beginning number? 274. Now a year later I am 231. I have got to keep on keeping on. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  32. Amazing work....you've come a long way, baybee...and learned so much. You have helped motivate many many people! Thanks!

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  33. Dude...I know all about linebacker status....I started my blog at 272 and my highest point a few years ago was 340 lbs! You've done a fantastic job Shelley...I'm very proud of you. :)

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  34. Amazing work you've done, Shelley! Any publicity and new readers your blog is getting are completely deserved -- you provide inspiration to a lot of people!

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  35. I'll be 45 in March. It is so encouraging to see someone my age who isn't just maintaining her weight, but still losing. Too often women our age use getting older as an excuse to give up.

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  36. I really think you are amazing and I am so inspired by your workouts. I think I have a handle on my diet (most days) and cardio but I have GOT to start strength training to really get the body I want!

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  37. Shelley!! Look at all the wonderful comments! You are such an inspiration to so many people and have proven that WE CAN DO THIS! You are a kind and caring lady and I would not made it as far as I have without you!

    Love ya lots! xoxox

    P.S. I should be in the same range but right now going from 315 to 150 is good enough... that may change when I get there but we shall see

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  38. Doesn't that feel good to get off your chest? And your hips? ;-D

    Congrats!

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  39. Wow you have had an amazing journey.

    Julia
    http://juliasjourney-finally.blogspot.com/

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  40. You are totally awesome and should be SO PROUD of how far you have come. I know we all are!

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  41. To me, it makes complete sense /not/ to talk about your weigh while you're losing it. (At least, not in the earlier stages.) It would be demoralizing. I'm proud of you for unveiling yourself now, when you're feeling good about all you've accomplished. (As you damn well should!)
    I'm also a little freaked, for some odd reason. According to your post, we were born within a week or so of each other. May I claim you as an honorary twin?
    Pleeeeease?

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  42. p.s. I noticed your sidebar has a list of people who are going to run on March 7th. I would like to state here and now, formally, that I will run a 5k on that date.
    Hell, I don't know if there are any official races on that day 'round these parts (I'm signing up for one a week later) but it fits into my exercise schedule and I want to feel like I'm part of the cool group. I'll run it by myself if I have to!

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  43. Way to go on the weight loss!!! Congrats on allowing yourself the freedome to verbalize where you were and how far you've come!!!

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  44. The number on the scale can really mess up my weight loss because I get so frustrated if it doesn't move quick enough. I've been trying to limit my weigh ins and focus on doing the right things to get healthy.

    I still have a bit of anxiety about having my highest weight number on my blog but I figure it is only getting lower and lower and we all had to start somewhere.

    My doctor always comments that I don't look like I weigh as much as I do. I guess these curves are good for something ;)

    Thanks for being such an inspiration and putting those numbers out there.

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  45. Shelley - many thanks to you for the inspiration and friendship. You've made the journey so much better than I ever thought it could be. And congrats on all of your accomplishments!

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  46. Wow, that's so damn inspiring!

    I love the way that you acknowledge the psychological power of numbers on the scale, but at the same time emphasize how important it is to focus on other aspects of the journey.

    You are amazing!

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  47. You are such an inspiration to me. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with the world. I am going to be looking to you as I journey... thanks.

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  48. Wow. Those are amazing numbers. You've come such a long way and you are in the best shape ever at an age where most people just give up. Kudos. You rock!

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  49. Congratulations again, Shelley! It's a huge accomplishment to be 46 1/2 and in the best shape of your life . . . you're definitely inspiring me to work harder so I'll be able to say the same thing in a couple of years :)

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  50. This is just so incredible. You are awesome, Shelley. SO FREAKIN' AWESOME.

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