Goals & Progress
My original methods for weight loss included strict calorie counting (between 1200 – 1800 per day) and generally making my lifestyle (that of a junk food eating couch potato) healthier. Since losing my original 60 pounds (and then unfortunately gaining a bit back), I’m finding that those methods don’t work quite as effectively for me anymore. I’m now playing around with my diet and the ratios of protein, carbs, and fats that I consume to find a good, maintainable balance. So, I’m still kind of figuring things out this time around. For those of you who are interested in how I did lose the original weight, I detail my weight loss method and tips in the Weight Loss 101 section of the blog!
If you read this page back when this blog was created, you would have seen that I posted a specific goal weight of 165 pounds. Since then, I’ve come to realize that this entire journey isn’t about a specific number, but about me living healthy and free from my toxic relationship to food. That being said, I do still think that 165 is a good general end point to aim for, but I am not 100% dead set on it. As long as I can say that I’m happy and healthy, I know that I’ll be in the right place.
I will definitely be posting my progress reports in terms of losses and gains, which you can see below!
Progress Report
2010:
08.09.2010 – 246 lbs (start)
08.16.2010 – 235.2 lbs (-10.8)
08.23.2010 – 233.0 lbs (-2.2)
08.30.2010 – 231.8 lbs (-1.2)
09.07.2010 – 228.0 lbs (-3.8)
09.13.2010 – 227.0 lbs (-1.0)
09.20.2010 – 224.8 lbs (-2.2)
09.27.2010 – 220.8 lbs (-4.0)
10.11.2010 – 217.4 lbs (-3.4)
10.18.2010 – 217.8 lbs (+0.4)
10.25.2010 – 217.2 lbs (-0.6)
11.01.2010 – 216.8 lbs (-0.4)
11.08.2010 – 212.2 lbs (-4.6)
11.15.2010 – 212.0 lbs (-0.2)
11.23.2010 – 210.8 lbs (-1.2)
11.29.2010 – 210.2 lbs (-0.6)
12.06.2010 – 211.2 lbs (+1.0)
12.13.2010 – 208.2 lbs (-3.0)
12.20.2010 – 207.2 lbs (-1.0)
12.27.2010 – 206.0 lbs (-1.2)
2011:
01.03.2011 – 205.5 lbs (-0.5)
01.07.2011 – 204.8 lbs (-0.7)
01.23.2011 – 207.0 lbs (+2.2)
01.31.2011 – 203.8 lbs (-3.2)
02.07.2011 – 201.8 lbs (-2.0)
02.14.2011 – 199.7 lbs (-2.1)
02.22.2011 – 200.0 lbs (+0.3)
02.28.2011 – 199.5 lbs (-0.5)
03.07.2011 – 199.5 lbs (+/-0)
03.14.2011 – 199.2 lbs (-0.3)
03.21.2011 – 198.0 lbs (-1.2)
03.28.2011 – 196.4 lbs (-1.6)
04.04.2011 – 195.8 lbs (-0.6)
04.18.2011 – 197.4 lbs (+1.6)
04.25.2011 – 196.0 lbs (-1.2)
05.02.2011 – 195.6 lbs (-0.4)
05.16.2011 – 195.0 lbs (-0.6)
05.23.2011 – 195.5 lbs (+0.5)
05.30.2011 – 193.2 lbs (-2.3)
06.13.2011 – 194.0 lbs (+0.8)
06.20.2011 – 192.5 lbs (-1.5)
06.27.2011 – 192.0 lbs (-0.5)
07.05.2011 – 196.5 lbs (+4.5)
07.18.2011 – 191.2 lbs (-5.3)
07.25.2011 – 190.0 lbs (-1.2)
08.01.2011 – 189.6 lbs (-0.4)
08.08.2011 – 189.9 lbs (+0.3)
08.15.2011 – 189.8 lbs (-0.1)
08.22.2011 – 189.0 lbs (-0.8)
08.29.2011 – 189.0 lbs (+/-0)
09.06.2011 – 187.8 lbs (-1.2)
09.21.2011 – 186.9 lbs (-0.9)
09.28.2011 – 189.4 lbs (+2.5)
10.05.2011 – 186.2 lbs (-3.2)
10.12.2011 – 186.0 lbs (-0.2)
10.26.2011 – 188.3 lbs (+2.3)
2012:
01.02.2012 – 198.4 lbs (+10.1)
01.11.2012 – 194.2 lbs (-4.2)
01.19.2012 – 193.9 lbs (-0.3)
01.25.2012 – 193.8 lbs (-0.1)
02.01.2012 – 192.6 lbs (-1.4)
02.08.2012 – 192.6 lbs (+0.2)
02.15.2012 – 191.4 lbs (-1.2)
02.29.2012 – 190.1 lbs (-1.3)
03.08.2012 – 190.0 lbs (-0.1)
03.14.2012 – 189.0 lbs (-1.0)
04.04.2012 – 188.4 lbs (-0.6)
04.18.2012 – 194.0 lbs (+5.6)
04.25.2012 – 191.0 lbs (-3.0)
05.02.2012 – 189.4 lbs (-1.6)
05.2012 to 08.2012 – “Intermission”
08.15.2012 – 206.1 lbs (+16.7)
08.30.2012 – 203.8 lbs (-2.4)
09.19.2012 – 202.8 lbs (-1.0)
10.03.2012 – 201.5 lbs (-1.3)
10.17.2012 – 199.1 lbs (-2.4)
11.01.2012 – 198.0 lbs (-1.1)
11.14.2012 – 197.1 lbs (-0.9)
2013:
01.02.2013 – 198.1 lbs (+1.0)
02.13.2013 – 196.0 lbs (-2.1)
02.20.2013 – 193.8 lbs (-2.2)
Weight Goals:
Lose 10 lbs
Lose 10% of my original body weight (-24.6 lbs/221.4 lbs)
Weigh under 220 lbs
Weigh 210 lbs
Weight 199 lbs (ONEderland!)
Lose 20% of my original body weight (-49.2 lbs/196.8 lbs)
Weigh 185 lbs
Lose 30% of my original body weight (-73.8 lbs/172.2 lbs)
Weigh 165 lbs/Find my “Happy Weight”
Fitness Goals:
Run for 3 minutes straight
Run for 5 minutes straight
Run a mile
Run for 10 minutes straight
Run for 20 minutes straight
Run a 5K
Run a 5 miler
Run a 15K
Run a 10 miler
Photos:
Allright, so to get myself into the right mindset of posting pictures as things develop, here are a few starters. I do have my official “Before” photos (in an embarrassing bikini and everything!) as well, but here are a few fully-clothed ones for posterity’s sake.
December 2009; 246+ lbs
April 2010; 246 lbs+
June 2011; 192 lbs.
December 2011; 195 lbs.
April 2011; 189 lbs
We’ll see how these progress pictures, er, progress (ha!) as I continue to lose weight!
My advice to you on the eating front is to make sure you’re eating enough or else you will set yourself up to fail. I’d aim to not go much below 1500 – you don’t want to set yourself up to binge b/c you get too hungry! Just go by how you feel. Lots of little meals is my other recommendation
Gretchen! I’ve been following your blog via facebook (it’s always on my news feed!) and it’s awesome! You’re a great writer and it seems like you’re doing amazing. I hope all is well! =)
Thanks Sarah! It’s so great to hear from you — I hope that you’re doing well, too!
Gretchen,
You look fabulous sweetie! I’m so proud of you!!!!
Girl you can do this! I am so enthusiastic about watching your progress. This is a super honest website and I really think your honesty is so great!
Hey Girl! You are so inspirational. Keep up the great work. I am so happy we met this weekend. I hope to see you and all the other DCers sometime again soon!
Girrrrrl, right back at you! We fellow “afters” (well, perhaps in my case it’s still a “during”, hahaha) need to stick together. SO glad we met this weekend – do NOT be a stranger!
AMAZING progress. You are inspiration! I love looking at the ups and downs of your numbers and seeing that you never give up. My goal is to lose between 60 and 70 lbs. Your journey is even more motivation for me. So glad I found your blog, and can’t wait to keep reading.
Thank you, Julia! Here’s to going onward and downward!
hey read ur blog today thru caloriecount.. ur story is great n very inspirational.. but i m feeling a bit sad because today my weight is exaxtly 146 lbs
sorry for the error… today my weight is exactly 246lbs … same wt as urs when u started…. i have a long way to go
Don’t be discouraged about that! I was surprised at how quickly I went from 246 to under 210. It’s just been these last pounds that have taken a while! You got this.
amazing! such an inspiration! thanks for sharing your story!
New Fitness goals for Gretchen that don’t start with the word ‘Run’:
1. Complete a relay marathon.
2. Love a Zumba class.
3. Go Ape
4. Etc.
How do you feel about softball?
Haha! Agreed!
And as for softball, I haven’t played since 8th grade so I can’t really say. I’ll admit to generally wanting to stray from things that mean a ball to the face though!
Came across your site looking for a recipe for milled flax as chicken breading.
Thanks Google! Anyway, I’ll be bookmarking the site to track your progress. I’m starting a similar journey myself. Congratulations on the success and may it continue!
Thanks Chad! I love hearing about how people stumble across this little space of the interwebs. Good luck on your journey as well!!
I just want to say I find your blog truly inspiring. I began my weight loss journey 6 months ago with http://www.fullbar.com. So far I have lost 30lbs and have more energy then I did 5 years ago. Fullbar allowed me to realize when I am starting to get full and to stop eating. It has been a life changing experience and I recommend for anyone to try it and thank you for inspiring me!
just stumbled across your site and i am in love with it! i am trying to lose 20 pounds and it is proving diffcult, thank you for inspriring me to try harder! you are beautiful(before and after the weight loss)!