Wednesday, May 14, 2014

SIX YEARS!!!

Exactly six years ago today, I started my diet, and this blog.  Yes, I am the weirdo who started a diet on a Wednesday...but now that I have some perspective, I think that may have been one of the reasons I ended up having success with losing weight and keeping it off.  I didn't wait for the traditional Monday, I didn't overplan, I didn't prepare a whole lot for the diet, and I certainly didn't start exercising right away - really, I pretty much jumped in with both feet and just went for it.

Somehow, this time it worked.  Maybe by not holding myself to the time-honored dieting standards, I was able to muddle into something that made sense for my body...and my mind - I can't discount that, as dieting is a huge mental process along with the physical part of restricting food/changing what and how you eat.

I haven't weighed myself in over two years, which is another unconventional thing that someone who is trying to maintain a big weight loss usually doesn't do - but it works for me.  I haven't hyperfocused on my food; nothing is off limits, but I choose not to eat certain things, too.  I definitely have had my ups and downs when it comes to keeping the weight off, but all in all, I've done the best job of it in my life, and I'm pretty pleased that I'm able to write a post like this, six years after I wrote this one.  I set out to make a major change by losing weight and becoming a healthier person, and I actually did it.

If I could, I'd go around giving every one of you a ::high five:: because truly, having the interaction with my readers has been a tremendous asset with keeping me going, both in the early months and now.  Once the bloom of new weight loss wears off, it can be a slog to keep doing what needs to be done, day after day, week after week, month after month - but this is exactly what it takes to not slide back to my old overweight self.  You guys are the best, and I thank you for showing up so often.

Just for fun, I did my six year picture wearing the same clothes as my four year picture - I couldn't go on the lawn, though, as it poured rain the night before and the grass was waterlogged:
 May 2014, six years of weight loss/maintenance!
May 2012 - May 2014...

58 comments:

  1. You look great girl! Congrats on sticking with the "diet" and the blog for 6 years. I just read an article yesterday that said a majority of people who start a blog give it up after 6 months!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks - and six months, eh? Good thing I didn't read that article way back when, lol!

      Delete
  2. Congratulations on your success! I enjoy reading your blog so much and one day, my Wednesday will come too! Thank you so much for your blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Diane - and I do hope you get your Wednesday soon!

      Delete
  3. Congratulations my dear friend! I think this will be my 5th post of celebrating your success. I started blogging and yours was one of the first blogs I started reading back in 2009. And the fact that I'm still around and read every single one of your posts says enough right!

    You are an inspiration to me and a great lovely friend even though we never met. Here's to many many years of succesful maintenance and (internet) friendships!

    xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for sticking around for so long, my friend! :)

      Delete
  4. There's always something that can keep us from sticking with a plan because life happens and it is the something. Starting on a Wednesday makes perfect sense!

    Congratulations on six years of steady success and thank you for being the inspiration you are!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Congratulations, Shelley. You're the real deal in every way. One of the blogs I read every time you post, and I'm truthin' when I say that this morning as I fired up the computer, I thought, "It's a Shelley day" because it's Wednesday! Thank you for all your inspiration and hope.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for such a sweet comment, Leslie - and I love that you know my schedule so well! :)

      Delete
  6. Congratulations on ALL your successes, Shelley! Unconventional is the only way to go. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Congratulations on your success. You have done what we all hope to do...lose AND maintain. I know from my own experience that it's not easy, so it's all the sweeter. Thanks for sharing your journey with the rest of us out here.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Congrats Shelley! I love that you do what works for you. Trying to follow complicated diets with too many "rules" never worked for me either.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks - good to know I'm not the only rulebreaker around here. ;)

      Delete
  9. Even though I don't comment very often, I do read every post. Congratulations on your healthy, happy life!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Congrats on that milestone, 6 years is seriously impressive!!!! I've said it before, but you're one of my biggest inspirations when it comes to weight maintenance - before I found your blog, I wasn't totally sure it could be done, as I'd never really met anyone who had lost a significant amount of weight and kept it off. Here's to many more years of maintenance :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Anne - I'm humbled to be anyone's inspiration, but I had my own when I started, so I completely understand the need to know that it really can be done. You are definitely doing it and I'm very impressed with all of your progress!

      Delete
  11. Hello Shelley
    Congrats on this milestone! You must feel so proud of yourself, your accomplishments & your healthy lifestyle. I am so glad I found your blog ....it's one I read regularly & am very motivated by your success.

    Take a big bow [or curtsey]!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Woo hoo! Am I the only one impressed that you wore the same clothes two years later? Seriously. I wonder if it stems from that fear that I'll wake up and be back to that old weight?

    Anyway,you look mah-velous, dahling! (And as you know,I am another one who tells time by your blog. Thanks for being so consistent.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Believe me, I still get that "will it fit" fear whenever I take out something that I haven't worn in a while. Too many years of constantly having to buy bigger clothes will leave a lasting impression, apparently.

      Delete
  13. Yay you!!! Congrats on six years of keepin' it real and being a real inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Awesome Shelley!! You are definitely one of the bloggers I look to for inspiration and proof that it can be done. Congrats on six years of success!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. WTG, Shelley! I love that you took your photo the same outfit - a perfect testimonial to your continued hard work. And it IS hard work, day in and day out. Here's a high five back at you for the inspiration you give all of us on our own efforts. You were the inspiration to buy my bike Sally, and you are certainly getting me closer to finally just picking up some needles and learning to knit! (Although I already have a dangerous fabric habit and I fear yarn may be another deep well I'll fall into...) Here's to your continued success :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oooh, you are thinking about knitting, eh? DO IT DO IT DO IT!!! :)

      Delete
    2. Ha! Then we can be fellow yarn-aholics :-)

      Delete
    3. ...and start a support group. :)

      Delete
    4. Where we will drink coffee, give testimonials and KNIT!! I see where this is going!

      Delete
  16. Congratulations Shelley! You are an inspiration for all of us!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Shelley - you truly are an inspiration! You've got such a sweet, friendly, can-do attitude.

    I'm glad you're here after six years and hope you'll be around in 6 more.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wonderful, Shelley. You are quite inspirational. Like some others I too look forward to "Shelley blog days"

    ReplyDelete
  19. Love the same outfit to show exactly where you are compared to then! Congrats to you, Shelley. You are an amazing lady :D

    ReplyDelete
  20. You are one of the few in blog world to have kept it off and that gives me hope this time around! I don't think I can face losing 90 lbs a third time around! I've always enjoyed your writing style. I think it's very interesting that you don't weigh. You've truly found freedom!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Interesting point about finding freedom - I hadn't thought about that, but yes, I am free from a lot that was holding me back and giving me angst. My wish for you is to find the same thing.

      Delete
  21. Congratulations Shelley, that's a fantastic achievement. Thank you for sharing your journey all of this time, your blog is one of my 'happy places' that I love to visit and always get something from - even if it is walking away with a smile.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sandy - what a sweet thing to say! :) :)

      Delete
  22. HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY SIX AND ONE DAY. I feel as though Ive known you this entire journey.

    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  23. Woo hoo! Happy 6 years! You are an inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Congrats on your 6-year mark. You look fantastic and I love your spunk and spark. I know my blog lasted all of 1 year but this weightloss journey is still going so kuddos to you and keep it up. I love reading your posts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for reaching out and for reading - and I love seeing your FB updates...you inspire me to exercise a little harder!

      Delete
  25. What an awesome achievement, congratulations! You are so inspiring. And thank you for continuing to blog, it is so helpful to "know" someone who is a successful long-time maintainer.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I am so behind on my blog reading - sorry I am just commenting on this today! I think you and Helen are the longest blogs I've followed consistently over the years and I am so proud of how far you have come! You continue to inspire - you show that you can lose the weight no matter how old you are and that despite the bumps along the way - you can maintain. Hugs!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Congrats on your six years Shelly!!! :)

    ReplyDelete

Comments are now moderated to prevent spammers from leaving, well, spam - but rest assured that as soon as I read a real comment, I will publish it. So please, comment away, even though the blog is officially closed. Thanks!