Monday, January 18, 2010

I can't believe it.

When I attended my very first Weight Watchers meeting on May 12, 2008, I felt so uncomfortable in my own skin. I stepped on that dreaded scale and weighed 219.2 pounds. How could I let this happen? How did I let things spin so out of control? I knew I needed a huge change in my life or else I was going to keep getting fatter and increasingly unhappy with myself.

I only started feeling pretty about midway through high school, and even as I gained weight in college, I thought my sparkling personality and pretty face were enough to keep me feeling beautiful.

Then I stepped on the scale and I weighed more than 200 pounds at age 23. I didn't feel pretty anymore. I hated getting dressed for work or for weekend nights out because nothing fit right. I felt so fat and unhappy with myself.

When I jumped head first into my new healthy lifestyle, my WW meetings kept me motivated. I enjoyed the control I had with tracking my points. I LOVED getting Bravo and 5-pound milestone stickers that I excitedly stuck on my bookmark. Seeing the results on the scale and on my body were incredibly rewarding.

But, even still, I would look around at the other people in my meeting and think that I was so much bigger than the rest of them. Especially at the beginning. I would think, "Oooo she's here to lose what? Like 10 pounds tops? Big whoop."

As I continued attending meetings, it began to make sense. Some of these people started out just like me. They needed to lose a buttload of weight, too. And they did it! And they're still coming here because they're on Maintenance or are Lifetime Members.

Fast forward to tonight's meeting. I'm on my fourth week of Maintenance and goin' strong. I weighed in tonight at 147.8 and I feel fabulous! Two more weeks of Maintenance and I'll be a LIFETIME MEMBER. I can't even believe it. I looked at the computer screen as my leader entered my current weight, and I caught a glimpse of my starting weight. It REALLY hit me. I've lost more than 70 pounds. Wow. Just wow.

As I was leaving, the manager of my WW site said, "You're at goal right? Down 70 pounds!" And I smiled proudly and told her that I'd hit goal a month ago.

Here's the neat thing: Two women who started last week overheard and one exclaimed, "WHAT?! You've lost 70 pounds?? I totally noticed you last week and tonight thought, 'What's she doing here? She's already skinny.'"

I never thought I'd be one of those people.
I was so overwhelmed at that comment that I couldn't wipe a silly smile off my face. I said thank you (about 10 times) and walked out the door with an extra hop in my step. I'm getting emotional even typing it now. I just can't believe the huge change I've made in my life.

I feel pretty again.

It's amazing what you can do when you set your mind to it. The world is your oyster. Don't settle for anything less than you deserve ... and you deserve the best.

42 comments:

  1. What great reflections! I hope that I can write a similar post in the not too distant future :)

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  2. What a great post!! Congrats on the weight loss!

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  3. Love this post Amanda! You really ARE beautiful.

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  4. Congrats! I know the feeling and I often wonder what people think of me at the meetingsm since I know I used to think the same thing about all the thin people! I'm down 85lbs and definitely feel like one of those thin people now :) Here's to lifetime!

    K8
    www.k8hasablog.blogspot.com

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  5. TRUE STORY! You've achieved amazing things missy! WELL DONE! beautiful post - I'm cheering right along with ya! WAHOOOOOP for weight loss and turning our lives around for the good!!!!! xxx

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  6. I love this post! How cool is that?! You go girl. That is amazing!

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  7. the sentence I FEEL PRETTY AGAIN says it all.

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  8. I am so happy for you and proud of you! You ARE one of those people. Amazing, amazing, amazing. And inspiring. You will help so many other people!

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  9. I have been lurking for a few weeks now and just love your blog! Not only are you inspiring people in your meetings, but all over the world..like me! Thank you for writing this. Amazing!

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  10. I think your line, "I feel pretty again" said it best.

    Nice.

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  11. Such a great feeling!!! I've got a big old smile on my face right now just reading about it! Congratulations!

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  12. I want to be just like you when I grow up! :) (31 pounds down for me...19 more to go!)

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  13. What an inspirational story! Thank you for sharing. I have been struggling with my choice of WW and continue to go because of the meetings! I hit a plateau one month after I started going. This just reminds me to keep at it! It's the EYE OPENING journey, not the scale!
    And of course now that song, I feel pretty, oh so pretty will be in my head all day!

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  14. Thanks for sharing your story! What a great journey!

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  15. congratulations! what an amazing story, you have come so far and worked hard for it!

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  16. Amanda, congrats on your weight loss. I'm pretty much where you started (and the same age too lol) and your success is more than inspiring, especially when I get down on myself about my weight. Thanks for sharing your story, hun. =]--Jheanelle

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  17. What a fabulous post! Good luck in your maintenance journey!

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  18. Good for you! I remember thinking the same thing when I walked into my first meeting. Like "Go home skinnies!" I had the same realization that you did. Everyone has to start somewhere. Congrats on losing the weight.

    Hope @ Hope's Journey

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  19. Great post! You are very inspiring and I hope you know that you have kept me going through my weight loss. I have lost 27 lbs. in 3 months and I have a 4 month old little boy.
    If a new mom can do it, ANYONE can!
    Thank you for being an inspiration to so many people you don't even know!

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  20. OMG - I got teary eyed reading this post!

    It is so true Amanda, you are ONE OF THEM now. One of "THOSE" people we used to compare ourselves to, one of "THOSE" people we used to roll our eyes at and wonder why they obsessed over 5lbs. One of "THOSE" people we used to only dream of being like.

    YOU ARE THERE! Congratulations, you are as beautiful on the outside as you are on the inside!

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  21. Congratulations on being another success story!!! Enter the contest - you never know, you might win!!

    Keep up the great work!!!

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  22. 70 lbs is amazing! And maintaining it is even more amazing. Great job - your hard work really paid off!!

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  23. Wow- truly amazing! I can't wait to say that myself next December!

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  24. AMEN!! I wish I could go back to the old me and convince myself at the age of 20 that this was possible and maintainable (is that a real word?)
    Congrats dearie. You look great.

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  25. Congratulations, Amanda! What a wonderful feeling that must have been!

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  26. Congrats!!! 70 pounds....You're AMAZING!

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  27. Hi Amanda,
    I don't think you can still believe that you really did it!!!! You decided to improve your life by eating healthier and finding a bunch of different ways to exercise and it has really paid off. You SHOULD have a big smile on your face these days.
    Always proud of you,
    Love you,
    Mom

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  28. Yay for you - congrats on everything you've accomplished and everything you continue to do!

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  29. What an amazing journey you are on. Keep on going Pretty Woman!

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  30. What an awesome feel good comment! I'd be wearing a silly grin as well! Congrats!

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  31. WOW! Talk about inspirational and just down right fantastic!

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  32. I still have not had that "wow" moment. I've lost 76LB and am almost to goal. I am so happy for you, you are doing amazing with maintenance! Can't wait to follow in your footsteps.

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  33. Amanda, this is absolutely amazing! I still get 'OMG!' moments in the dressing room sometimes and nothing really tops it! You are prob such an inspiration to those women (oh and a few people n here too!). Here's to your lifetime membership!

    Oh and my friend Jess posted a recipe to that dumpling stew on my blog!

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  34. Amanda, you're freaking awesome! My WW starting weight was 218 and I can't even begin to explain how motivating it is to read your posts and listen to (read) your advice and story. Thanks for sharing! and thanks for entering my giveaway! and good job on maintenance!

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  35. You are gorgeous, girl! Doesn't it feel nice to be an after? Especially after being over 200 (way over in my case) and feeling like you'd NEVER get there! Yaaaaaaay!

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  36. Just found this blog cause i need to lose 20 pounds, and it's great to read your inspiring words! You look great and i know you must feel great too! Congrats!!!

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  37. I can totally relate! You are awesome. I'm sure you are an inspiration to the people at the meetings. I've been on both sides. Thanks for blogging.

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  38. congratulations!! i've been on both sides as well (although mine has happened at the gym) and i know how validating it is...you look amazing!

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  39. Congrats! And I love the new pic you posted on the side bar!

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  40. Oh wow, what a story! I almost cried just reading it. I went to WW at 210 pounds and thought the same time - what are those skinny ppl doing here? I can't imagine what it would feel like to be one of those people!

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