How Weight Loss Changed Me: the Good, the Bad, the Lists
How Weight Loss Changed Me: the Good, the Bad, the Lists
by Charlotte Siems
Along the way from size 22 to 6, I sat down and wrote two lists. I was at about a size 12 when the lists were written. About ten months earlier, when I started exercising with T-Tapp, I had finally told myself the truth about my weight and the shape I was in. Focusing on my final goal, which was actually a size 10 at the time, the lists were a way of helping me get perspective and to see how much progress had been made.
One of the special difficulties of being a More to Lose person was the temptation to focus only on how far I had to go rather than on how far I had come.
At the time of the lists I must have been in a slow spot. When results slow down or seemingly halt, we tend to focus on our “mistakes” or ways we haven’t been perfect. The problem is that we then feel a little comforted about those choices and use them as a way to go on a break from the things we should be doing, and as an opportunity to feel sorry for ourselves.
“Hey, I already skipped two workouts and ate too much this week, so I may as well forget it and start back up on Monday.”
I can only tell you these things because I’ve been there, done that.
Back to the lists. Here they are, copied straight from a journal:
Being Overweight:
Ever-larger sizes
Outgrowing clothes
Lack of energy
Snoring
Being self-conscious
Limited choices in clothes
Blood sugar issues (on the road to diabetes)
Ingrown toenails
Sore knees
Difficulty getting up, down, in or out
Barely fit in bathtub or behind car steering wheel
Indigestion
Looking matronly
Mental and physical barriers in marriage
After Losing Weight:
Smaller sizes
Getting rid of too-big clothes
Feeling confident in appearance
Delighting in compliments (and others’ surprise)
New wardrobe in regular Misses’ sizes
Smaller feet/shoe size
Surprise at my reflection in the mirror
Looking younger
Much more energy and flexibility
Easier to exercise and do physical activities
I think the lists were a good thing. They helped me focus on the life ahead and get real about what the former life had been. It was encouraging and motivating to write down, pen to paper, the changes and progress.
Most of us write lists—to-do lists, grocery lists, birthday lists. How about encouraging yourself with the changes you’ve seen so far, or the compliments you’ve received? Even if no one has noticed yet, you feel different and you’re on your way. Even if you’re just writing where you want to be, writing the hopeful vision can give you a boost and bright place to focus.
Someday you’ll look back on your list and be amazed at how far you’ve come.
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 Charlotte Siems is a home-maker, home manager, T-Tapp Trainer, teacher, speaker and author. Her story of losing over 100 pounds with T-Tapp has encouraged thousands of people all over the world. She specializes in making home management and T-Tapp “doable” for real people and real life. She is happy to be a wife and mother of twelve children whom she has successfully taught at home for 25 years. |
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This is a perfect activity for me to do in my journal. I think I will make it a “work in progress”. I will add to it as I go along. Thanks for this piece of advice. I AM a list maker. so why not use one to help me along the way. Thanks!
Thanks for this encouragement! Yesterday I put on a shirt that I have only worn at home because it fit so snug, especially below my waist. But now it hangs loosely all the way down and is downright baggy from the waist up! But the I look in the mirror and see how far I have to go and get bummed….but then I notice that I feel smaller and it’s easier to get out of bed, g up and down the stairs and carry my dear 4 yo who was very sick this week…
I’m going to try really hard to focus on the any improvements and keep on movin and making healthy choices!
Hi Charlotte! Great idea. I have struggled with my weight as long as I can remember. I took diet pills when I was 18 and lost 96 lbs…kept it off for 6 years, but started gaining back when I got married. In the past 3 years, I have lost approx 40lbs per year and gained it right back (usually in the same year!). I think I have an odd issue. It seems that when people start noticing/commenting on my weight loss, is when I start gaining it back. I know that is strange and I don’t really understand it, but I feel it is becoming a pattern. My husband is overweight too. We are happy, I feel like I have plenty of energy to play with my 2 little ones…still get in the floor w/them, etc. I don’t have any medical problems, but I know they are likely coming if I don’t work to get this weight off. I am discouraged when my clothes start getting tight again. I am thankful to have found you on Twitter. I am motivated to begin again. I do not have a Facebook page, but I subscibed to your blog. Keep up the great work and encouragement. =)
Hi Kara,
Sooo glad to encourage you! T-Tapp would be just the ticket for you because with little children you don’t have time for long workouts and it focuses on inch loss. Thanks for stopping by!