Dec 28, 2014

2014 Weigth loss progress

Well 2014 is almost over and once again I haven't made it to my goal weight. Having said that, I'm awfully close!

I started the Atkins and gluten free lifestyle back in April and here I am at the end of the year and ready to report my "success". I know, it's not ultimate success but with weight loss there's never an ultimate success because it's a constant battle and journey to keep the weight loss off. But, I'm pretty proud of how far I've come this year and I'm looking forward to making it to goal in the next 4 months.

Right before we started this whole lifestyle change my sweet hubby took me to Salzburg, Austria for my birthday. I told you we're close to everything here! I love it! Anyhow, these are my official before photos and actually they are officials for both Johnny and me. We started together so these are a good indication of how far we've come.
Not sure if it's evident of not but I was in the 220s at this time. As much as I loved the trip I felt frumpy and uncomfortable the whole time. BTW, you know what's in that bag Johnny's holding?? Cronuts!!! Only the best donut/croissant mix ever! They were even filled with Bavarian cream and covered in sprinkels. TO DIE FOR! literally! If I had known I was about to start a major food overhaul I would have eaten three more! We're standing on the actual do-re-mi steps in A Sound of Music. If you wanna see more photos from my 41st birthday trip to Salzburg you can find me blogging about it here. A must see for Sound of Music fans.

This is our OFFICIAL before photo. I weighed 222 in this photo and that wasn't my highest. I had actually started at 235 and lost some and was on my way back up in this photo. 


I've always had a weight problem. Even when I was young and in school. I wasn't fat by any means but I was always larger than everyone else. In my head I was a fat girl and that never went away. 

So we started Atkins and I started eating gluten free for health reasons the end of March right after my 41st birthday. It was hard in the beginning but it's amazing how well low carb eating works if you don't cheat. It has taken me 9 months to lose 52 lbs and I still need to lose 20 but I'm super happy with the results. 

One thing Atkins promises is that you will lose more inches than weight and it is completely true! I weight more now than I did the last time I lost weight, I actually got to 167 but I wore a larger size in clothing then. I was following a low cal diet and while I weighed less I was bigger. Atkins works differently and it takes from fat stores first which makes your body physically leaner instead of losing muscle on a low cal diet. So I'm smaller now that I have been in 20 years. I'm in a large in most things and some mediums in others. I started in an 18/20 and in 9 months I'm down to a size 10 or Large. 

I will say, and if you looked closely at my weight chart above, the last 3 months have been extremely slow. I don't know what's going on. I don't cheat, I'm always on program but my body has just decided to take it slow. I was very bothered with it, since I'm a perfectionist and I usually like to get things done quickly but I realize now, this is a lifestyle. I'm never going back to eating the way I did and for more reasons than one. I can never eat gluten again, I am intolerant to it and it does terrible things to my joints and skin. Plus, gluten-free and low carb just go hand in hand so it's easy to live this way. Another thing is that I'm happy. I'm not at goal yet but I'm at a point that people actually tell me that I've lost enough. I always wanted to be here and now that I am it makes the slow losing more bearable to know that I look like I've lost enough. 

BTW, Johnny has lost 50 lbs also! He's in the best shape of our 24 year marriage and he's healthier than ever. 
So between the two of us we've lost more than 100 lbs since April. Johnny is maintaining and stays between 158-162 and i'm 170 as of today. We're both a year older but life has never been better. It's amazing what losing 50 lbs can do, not only physically but also the whole outlook on life.

One of my biggest fears has always been my husband's ministry as a missionary being cut short because of my health. I was so fearful and aware that any minute I could become sick and it would be my fault for not doing something about my weight. I'm thankful and glad to be at least trying my best to be healthy and if we have to ever leave the place that God has called us to work in, it's won't be because I neglected the body God gave me.

So there it is, the accumulation of 9 months of faithful eating and I'm pretty proud of it!! 9 short months have changed our lives and I know you can do it too. If you struggle with weight as 90% of us do, it's time to make a change. You can do it!!!

siggy

24 comments:

  1. Wow. That's very motivating to me!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yeah! Well done! Lovely couple always and now feeling better and healthier too :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great job! It's so motivating to see you doing this together. Congratulations.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous6:32 PM

    Y'all look awesome

    ReplyDelete
  6. You inspired me when you started! We are doing a different program and I have a wonderful bike that I love to ride!!! I started in August and am down 21 pounds so far! You are a blessing to me, though we have never met!!!! (can't believe you posted your weight! Not me!!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kelly!! Wow, 21 lbs is great! I'm so glad you're doing so well. You know, when you start getting our age you just never know what sickness is on the horizon. I was so scared of diabetes and I was playing Russian roulette with my health. Anyhow, looking forward to watching your success!! Bravo Kelly!

      Delete
  7. I have a question about gluten-free eating. One place I read said that you CAN eat things made of corn...like corn meal and corn flour. Did you eat corn while doing Atkins? I always thought corn was a no no. My husband and I have both had past successes with Atkins (not recently) He prefers counting calories and I am not sure which I prefer (actually, I prefer Krispy Kreme's) but that doesn't work for me ;) Just trying to get a little info before getting back into the diet groove.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tammy, if you are eating gluten-free for health reasons you can have all sorts of flours just no wheat products. I don't eat corn and the other flours I can have because I'm trying to lose weight and Atkins doesn't allow it but if I were at goal I'd be able to eat any flours I choose except for wheat.
      BTW, a Krispy Kreme diet would be a dream! :0)

      Delete
  8. Anonymous2:17 AM

    You both look great! Good work! I need to get started on better eating now that the holidays are over. I don't know if I could do low-carb or gluten free - I guess I could if I had to. :-) But I definitely need to cut back and get back into regular exercising.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! The new year is the best time to start, good luck!!

      Delete
  9. So wonderful! Atkins sold me on weight loss and it's still working :) You've done so well and look wonderful. Sweet blessings into the New Year as you continue to improve your health.

    ReplyDelete
  10. You are an inspiration! Weight loss is something I desperately need to do and I've finally ordered the Atkins book. It's been sitting in my Amazon cart since last January not doing me a bit of good. I can't wait for it to get here!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good for you Lori! I have struggled with my weight my whole life and after a multitude of diets I finally found something that worked and not only worked but it's extremely healthy. I just had blood work and everything is above perfect. Anyhow, any questions just ask!

      Delete
  11. What a beautiful and inspirational story, dear Tori! You look simply amazing and I can tell from your pictures that you feel great which is the most important thing :) Thank you for sharing your journey with us - what a blessing!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow, you are an inspiration, Tori! Thanks for sharing this now. I just told my hair stylist that it was time to do something drastic, but instead I should give Atkins a try.

    ReplyDelete
  13. That's great! Makes it some easier when you have a partner to keep you accountable and makes the grocery list and cooking easier if you are both on the same page.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous5:23 AM

    It's great that both of you are making changes together. And the progress you've made is a testament to your diligence! Well done, both of you!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Tori, congratulations to both you and your hubby! What an accomplishment!
    I enjoyed reading your journey Tori.
    I felt as if I was sitting with you over a cup of tea and having sweet fellowship.
    Your sincere heart about your fears of having to leave the mission field due to health issues should that happen really hit me.
    I'm not on a mission field, but I know my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and I am to look after it well.
    I too have a struggle with weight and have changed my way of eating, but its easy to fall back into our old ways at times.
    Your story is quite the inspiration.

    Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a sweet comment.
    I look forward to having you come along with me as God graces us with His wisdom through the Scriptures.

    When I get to my computer I shall be following you and look forward to many visits with you.

    Sweet blessings to you!
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Debbie. I'm thankful for God's grace in my life. BTW, looking forward to getting to know you too!

      Delete
  16. Hi Tori, I'm just checking in and it's past the New Year, but here's wishing you a happy and healthy new Year and the Lord's help to lose the rest of the weight you want to lose., I can really tell from your photos that you've lost. Way to go!!!! As of Christmas Day I have lost 101 lbs since Nov 2013. i have about 40 to go. I did gain 5 lbs over Christmas and New Years because we had two different sets of company that we fixed LOTS of good eats for! But, now I'm back on schedule....even though there are some Christmas chocolate kisses hanging around...hard to resist.

    I enjoyed catching up on your posts.

    ReplyDelete

Hey thanks in advance for leaving a comment, sure do appreciate it!!