daygloeyes2
Blue Crack Addict
Me, May 2006
Me, late January 2012
Big difference, right? I gained around 100 lbs in between those two photos. The first 20 I gained a few months after I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and out of the "honeymoon" period. It's a common side effect of going on insulin.
The next 80 was lack of exercise and horrible eating habits. I had many stressful things happen in that six year period and I turned to food for comfort. I was always a member of the clean plate club. While I had alcohol before my 21st birthday, after that I drank more often. I never had a drinking problem and never felt dependent on alcohol, but the extra calories and the hunger from drinking booze did not help my weight at all. I always kept telling myself I'd start a diet, start going to the gym, and stick to it. I would lose 15 lbs here and there, then gain it all back. I developed problems with sciatica which were worsened by waitressing and my blood sugar levels weren't terrible, but I could never seem to get them to where they should be. I hated looking at myself in the mirror. When I went out, I always felt people were looking at me and judging me. My struggle with my weight began when I hit puberty. I always told myself "Yeah, I'm overweight, but I'll never be 100 lbs overweight or anything line that." Famous last words, right? I am not exaggerating when I say I was on pace to hit 300 lbs by the end of 2012 on January 1st.
On January 3rd, I was fired from my job. I was angry, but at the same time I hated my job so it was a blessing in disguise. Because I was terminated, I was able to collect unemployment while looking for another job. I was glad I hadn't quit as I had been tempted to do many times. Having time off gave me time to think about my life. I finally admitted to myself what I was trying to deny: that I was obese and gaining more weight every day. This couldn't continue, and changes were necessary.
Changes were made, big and small. I cut back on the drinking, cut back on going out, and started eating at home. My portions were reduced dramatically. I used fat free half and half instead of cream, got rid of the cheese on certain things, switched to egg whites instead of scrambled eggs, had two sides of veggies with meals instead of a carb and a veggie, cut back on the diet soda and drank mostly water, etc. I made myself walk at least two miles a day. When I started my new job and we were trying out all sorts of delicious and unhealthy foods they offered, I walked a couple of extra miles every day after training so the food wouldn't ruin the small amount of progress that I had made. It worked. I didn't gain any weight that week.
The first month was the toughest. I was tempted so many times to just say screw it, and go back to my old ways. What helped a lot was the healthy menu at work. There are many delicious things on there under 600 calories, but they taste awesome so you would never believe it. My restaurant is pretty big and usually steady. You're constantly walking from one end to the other. A coworker told me she brought in a pedometer and on an average shift, she walked 3-4 miles. I was working 6 days a week and that helped a lot.
I took that picture a few hours ago. I have lost 50 lbs in 7 months. I'm halfway to my goal. If you told me that I would achieve this last year, i would have laughed at you. I was hoping to be down the full 100 by January 1st, but due to breaking my leg I think it will take a little longer. Clothes that have not fit in 2+ years fit again. My last A1C was the lowest I've had since my diagnosis. Aside from pain after a double without a break, my sciatic pain is almost non-existent.
I posted this to brag a little bit
, but that isn't the only reason. I'm sure I'm not the only one on this board who has struggled with my weight. I wanted to share my story to hopefully tell others they're not alone, and it is possible to lose the weight without surgery(though I understand it is needed in some cases) or doing anything drastic or giving up food. Personally, seeing my mom lose 60 lbs after struggling with her weight for 20 years and seeing friends of mine lose the weight inspired me. It showed me it was possible. Anyways, I'm proud of myself for how far I've come and I'm excited to see how far I'll go.
OK, this was pretty TL; DR so if you read this all I very much appreciate it.
Me, late January 2012
Big difference, right? I gained around 100 lbs in between those two photos. The first 20 I gained a few months after I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and out of the "honeymoon" period. It's a common side effect of going on insulin.
The next 80 was lack of exercise and horrible eating habits. I had many stressful things happen in that six year period and I turned to food for comfort. I was always a member of the clean plate club. While I had alcohol before my 21st birthday, after that I drank more often. I never had a drinking problem and never felt dependent on alcohol, but the extra calories and the hunger from drinking booze did not help my weight at all. I always kept telling myself I'd start a diet, start going to the gym, and stick to it. I would lose 15 lbs here and there, then gain it all back. I developed problems with sciatica which were worsened by waitressing and my blood sugar levels weren't terrible, but I could never seem to get them to where they should be. I hated looking at myself in the mirror. When I went out, I always felt people were looking at me and judging me. My struggle with my weight began when I hit puberty. I always told myself "Yeah, I'm overweight, but I'll never be 100 lbs overweight or anything line that." Famous last words, right? I am not exaggerating when I say I was on pace to hit 300 lbs by the end of 2012 on January 1st.
On January 3rd, I was fired from my job. I was angry, but at the same time I hated my job so it was a blessing in disguise. Because I was terminated, I was able to collect unemployment while looking for another job. I was glad I hadn't quit as I had been tempted to do many times. Having time off gave me time to think about my life. I finally admitted to myself what I was trying to deny: that I was obese and gaining more weight every day. This couldn't continue, and changes were necessary.
Changes were made, big and small. I cut back on the drinking, cut back on going out, and started eating at home. My portions were reduced dramatically. I used fat free half and half instead of cream, got rid of the cheese on certain things, switched to egg whites instead of scrambled eggs, had two sides of veggies with meals instead of a carb and a veggie, cut back on the diet soda and drank mostly water, etc. I made myself walk at least two miles a day. When I started my new job and we were trying out all sorts of delicious and unhealthy foods they offered, I walked a couple of extra miles every day after training so the food wouldn't ruin the small amount of progress that I had made. It worked. I didn't gain any weight that week.
The first month was the toughest. I was tempted so many times to just say screw it, and go back to my old ways. What helped a lot was the healthy menu at work. There are many delicious things on there under 600 calories, but they taste awesome so you would never believe it. My restaurant is pretty big and usually steady. You're constantly walking from one end to the other. A coworker told me she brought in a pedometer and on an average shift, she walked 3-4 miles. I was working 6 days a week and that helped a lot.
I took that picture a few hours ago. I have lost 50 lbs in 7 months. I'm halfway to my goal. If you told me that I would achieve this last year, i would have laughed at you. I was hoping to be down the full 100 by January 1st, but due to breaking my leg I think it will take a little longer. Clothes that have not fit in 2+ years fit again. My last A1C was the lowest I've had since my diagnosis. Aside from pain after a double without a break, my sciatic pain is almost non-existent.
I posted this to brag a little bit
, but that isn't the only reason. I'm sure I'm not the only one on this board who has struggled with my weight. I wanted to share my story to hopefully tell others they're not alone, and it is possible to lose the weight without surgery(though I understand it is needed in some cases) or doing anything drastic or giving up food. Personally, seeing my mom lose 60 lbs after struggling with her weight for 20 years and seeing friends of mine lose the weight inspired me. It showed me it was possible. Anyways, I'm proud of myself for how far I've come and I'm excited to see how far I'll go. OK, this was pretty TL; DR so if you read this all I very much appreciate it.
You are my hero! 
and a 
*
That looks awesome. Calorie counting has helped me maintain my weight loss while I recover from a broken leg. I knew was barely going to be walking at all for the first month or so post-op, let alone running around on my feet waiting tables 6 days a week. I didn't need the extra energy, so I cut out 300-400 calories a day. Between July and early August, I'd force myself to do a few laps around my bedroom and hallway either on my crutches or my walker just to burn a few calories and to keep everything circulating. After I started physical therapy, it became much less of an effort to move around. 
