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Wednesday, September 29, 2010

I'm overweight!

It's official!  I am no longer obese and am now merely overweight.  I started this process with a BMI of 42.6.  As of today, my BMI is now 29.7.  I lost 2.4 lbs. (1.1 kg.) this week, bringing me to 195.2 lbs. (88.5 kg.).  I haven't weighed this amount in eight years.

As I achieve these milestones (Onderland, no longer obese), I'm finding that I am really grappling with the way I think about myself these days.  Who am I if I am no longer obese?  What do my kids think of me?  What do others see when they see me?

I rember as a child my mother doing a diet program called Weight Loss Center.  She had to weigh in at their clinic each weekday.  She was allowed to eat 600 calories per day.  She would have a green salad and a broiled chicken breast almost every night for dinner.  I think she did the program twice and both times managed to lose down to about 160 lbs.  (72.5 kg.).  But when she was no longer on the program and was eating normal foods again, she always regained the weight.  I don't remember ever thinking of my mother as thin, although at 160 lbs., she must have been. 

When I started this process, I felt like the person I was on the inside didn't match my outward appearance.  I valued health and fitness, but if someone looked at me, they wouldn't assume that were the case.  In fact they'd probably assume I did not value those things.  I've been a vegetarian for 18 years.  I've always exercised on a regular basis.  Although I've struggled with binge eating for years, my day-to-day eating was pretty normal.  I probably consumed an average of 1,800-2,000 calories.  Not crazy by most people's standards.  But I was still fat.  In fact, I was Obese Class III. 

And now I'm not.

I'm really the same person I've always been.  I have the same priorities and goals.  I'm just very lucky to have found a way out. 

26 comments:

Theresa said...

Way to go Amanda! I can't imagine being where you are today, amazing progress!

Bonnie said...

Outstanding! The second post in a row about great success. I hope my happy reading continues.

Pamela E. Williams said...

Wow, you are an inspiration. I sit here and remember the comment you made on my blog after my first fill about being a success and not changing a thing. I now see why. Thank you Amanda.

LDswims said...

Congratulations on shedding the "Obese" moniker! That's awesome!

Great post!

DB said...

So happy for you!!!!

Jacquie said...

Welcome to "overweightness"...that is wonderful news Amanda!

Read said...

Amanda, congratulations!!! That's fantastic! For those of us who have struggled with this issue I truly think the mental part of fat whether you're obese or overweight or maintaining your perfect goal weight is the hardest. I would think working out how you see yourself and having it match what the rest of the world sees is just an extention of the journey you've already been so successful on - each day you'll put another little piece of the puzzle together.

(and thanks so much for your continued support on my blog, it means a lot to me. I truly appreciate it.)

Lady Lap Band said...

Congrats on the 195!!! So cool that we are the same today!! You must be a lot taller than me because I still have another 20lbs to go before I get into the "overweight" category!

You go girl! It's funny how we get excited about that stuff huh? lol

Talk to you soon!

Breanne
www.ladylapband.blogspot.com

CeeJay said...

Congrats on being overweight! You have been through an awesome journey both physically and emotionally. Like a butterfly coming out of a cocoon. Way to go!!!

CHRISTINE said...

Did you ever think you would be congatulated for being overweight? Way to go!!

Jenny said...

YEAH for overweight!!

Heather said...

Absolutely amazing news! Did you ever think that you would be excited about being overweight?

Linda said...

Yea for overweight ( I hope I can join you there soon).
I hope your kids just think of you as the healthy woman you are becoming.

♥ Drazil ♥ said...

Good job Amanda! Awesome.

Blossom said...

You're the same on the inside (except maybe smarter and healthier), just the packaging has changed. Congrats on the losses!

Kristin said...

Woman, you are so rocking this thing! Absolutely fantastic news, congratulations!

Shrinking Mommy said...

awesome! keep it up!

Kathy said...

Amanda, that is awesome! Keep up the great work.

Michelle said...

Thats great! Your doing so well.

Jen from Oregon said...

congrats!
So sorry I couldn't meet up last weekend. I was a mess! We were camping near Newberg and the rain flooded everything...just sort of threw everything in the car and split, it was 1PM ish before I passed through and I was a muddy mess :) Hope to meet up someday soon! I like to go up there to Trader Joes.
You are doing so awesome!!!!

Ginger aka Gidget said...

Congratulations! That is awesome! :) I cannot wait to see that blessed Onederland. I also struggle with the "who am I" because I think being overweight becomes such a part of who you are.

You're rocking it!

Island Bandit said...

i love what you've said about who you are now and who you are becoming. i often fear as i work my way through this that too much of me is wrapped up in the fat..... great job on being overweight :)

Gen said...

SO GREAT! That is awesome! Congrats.

Jen said...

Congrats, what a great milestone!!!

I hope to join you there soon! :D

Lap Band Gal said...

WAY TO GO!!!!!

Amaris said...

You are an inspiration. I can't imagine being "overweight" as I haven't been that in years. What a great victory -- I hope to join you soon!