I am about to admit something to you that I haven’t actually voiced out loud before.
I am an emotional eater. I have a problem. I need help.
I have decided to start a weekly journal of my weight loss. My goal is to lose 20 pounds by the end of August. This gives me 12 weeks. With your help and support, I can do this. I know I can.
As I live my life like an open book (you just have to read my posts here on Mom Nation to know this), I figured putting myself out like this on this blog, Twitter and Facebook that I will be forced to meet my goals. If you hear me talking about cookies, cinnamon buns or anything bad, virtually slap it out of my hand. If you see me in person, I am asking you to support me by talking me out of it. I am totally serious.
Weight has been a long struggle with me. I recently found a diary I kept in high school. At that time, I was about 60 pounds lighter than I am now and I still called myself “fat” and “disgusting”. Even through my early 20′s, I still had a poor self esteem.
The heaviest I weighed was when I was pregnant with Little T. You would think that I could justify it with baby weight but, in all honesty, I only gained 20 pounds. I was just that big.
- At my heaviest
I am pretty lucky. For some reason, having Tenesea started my metabolism again. Two weeks after having Little T, I was already down 40 pounds. I started going to the gym 3x a week and ate well, this helped me shed another 20 pounds. This was easy to maintain when I was on maternity leave, but it’s much harder now.
- Now
You think I would be happy with losing over 60 pounds, but I’m not. The scale hasn’t been moving down. I am in a place that my body is content, but I still feel like the morbidly obese girl. I want to feel comfortable in my skin. I want to not let my weight prevent me from trying amazing things. I want to be where I was in 1999. This is my long term goal.
Me in 1999
My strategy is (and I know this is going to change, adapt):
- No white flour, white sugar or white rice
- Start a lunch ritual of bringing my own lunch (no temptation to eat out), eating it, then take a nice walk through downtown Edmonton at least 3x a week.
- Walk my dogs 3x week
- Allow myself one “cheat” meal a week when I can eat whatever I want. I hope that after a while, I don’t even need it
- Use myfitnesspal.com to record my food and exercise. It’s an amazing website, app and it’s FREE! If you are on MFP, feel free to add me. My username is jenistrulyoutrageous
Here you have it. All of my weight issues out for everyone to see. I hope you will follow me (or join me) on this mission to become the fit, strong woman I know I can be.
So many of us are with you on the “emotional eater” boat. I finally confessed what I’d known for years, last month. It helps to be honest and recognize potential triggers. Aside from emotions? I’m totally a boredom eater. I gotta stay busy!! My goal was to lose 37lbs by the end of July, so our end dates are close together — we got this lady!!!
Yes, we do!! I feel really good today after finally admitting this to myself and the world. I’m glad that we have each other for support
Gorgeous lady you so have this. The fact that you have realized it isn’t about food, but emotions is the first step. Accountability is the second. I would have to say that you are ALREADY successful and that the end of August is merely going to be the outward evidence of your internal success.
I would love to help in any way that I can. You know how to find me!!
I seriously love you DL and I am SOOO happy to have you on my side. You have been a huge inspiration to me. I am looking forward to interviewing you.
Jen, I am totally with you on this! I am also an emotional eater, however, I dint have any particular emotion of choice! I eat to celebrate, console and justify just about anything.
I’ve challenged myself to lose 60 pounds by December. It’s going to be tough. I started marathon training thinking it would boost my weight loss, however, it did the opposite. Now my goal is 50 sets of River Valley stairs by summers end.
I would love to have company and support and be able to offer the same!
The only tip I have on eating the naughty stuff is not to allow yourself to eat it alone – (I’m also a closet eater!) it helps, but make sure it’s another adult. It’s not hard to convince the kiddos to have a treat with me
I didn’t even realize I am a closet eater until you wrote that. I guess the empty containers and wrappers in my beside table would tell you that I am. I am here to support you. Together, we can do this! I know we can.
I totally get where you are coming from! I’m in the same boat & have a goal of getting back to where I was in 1999 too! All the best & power to you…you can do it!
Thanks Trelaine. Maybe you can join me! The more the merrier on this journey.
You can do it! having a solid support network around you is key I think. I too struggle with weight, eating and healthy habits. It is work for me. Thanks for sharing the journey and I look forward to joining you along the way.
Awesome! Thanks Christy. Just keep using/following the #MNFit hashtag for support
Hey you will do it!
It’s amazing how much more fun it is when you can interact with so many others on the journey, off the journey, on the food bandwagon and off.
I’ve been there and am still there (read overweight) but in the meantime I have managed to learn to run, from no running ever, to running a half marathon. Just make sure you have fun, with friends, with sports, with SHOPPING, whatever you need to keep you going. After my first 10 K run I went out to Holts to buy a fancy top, I’ll never forget that day or that accomplishment.
BTW – love your twitter posts. Go mommy go!
Thank you so much for all of your encouragement. It means a lot to me! I actually tried running a little last night while walking my dogs. I didn’t get very far, but I did it! I am very grateful for all the support that everyone has given me. I feel like I can do anything