Weighing in
It’s once again that time of year when I foist upon you pictures of a more portly Eat Drink Run Woman (or more appropriately, Eat Drink Eat Some More Drink Even More Eat Eat Eat Eat Eat Drink Drink Drink Fall Asleep on the Couch Woman).
For those of you who are new readers to EDRW and haven’t taken the time to read through each and every post (SHAME ON YOU), this is what I looked like on May 17, 2005:
I cringe every time I see these photos; not only for my girth, but for the look on my face. I had let myself go and was extremely unhappy. I could say seeing the number 200 on my scale was a rude wake-up call, but let’s face it — I was verging on that weight for many months prior. But when the numbers went from the high 190s to 200 I finally was motivated enough to do something about it.
I was blessed with having the most supportive and understanding husband. He NEVER made my weight an issue (although I never did understand his insistence upon keeping a sack of flour on our nightstand). It was only after I had started my weight loss that he admitted a slight lack of desire for me (revealed only after I questioned him directly). To this day he’s my biggest fan and supporter, and I’m thrilled to once again be the size I was when we first started dating (in fact, I’m probably even MORE fit). He still claims it wasn’t my weight that bothered him most; it was the fact my smile had disappeared.
So, how did I do it?
As a chef, I’ve had to prepare meals following a variety of diets: Atkins, South Beach, Weight Watchers, blood type, alkalarian, Zone, gluten-free and the “rotation” diet (where my client couldn’t repeat certain foods for several days). Some were due to health reasons, but many were to lose weight. I only prepare dinners, so I had no idea what my clients ate for breakfast and lunch. Inevitably they’d just go back to their regular eating habits.
Recently one of my clients decided to go on Nutrisystem, despite my assertions that 1) I could portion-control her meals, and 2) my food would be MUCH better. However, she succumbed to the Nutrisystem marketing blitz (although I’m still cooking for her husband). When she first told me her intentions I checked out the company website; the meals held absolutely no appeal after reading about them on the site (full of preservatives, visually unappealing), but when I read a review on a diet blog I was truly repulsed. (They compared the “tuna” in the tuna-noodle casserole to the sludge featured in the classic Saturday Night Live skit on the “Bass-o-Matic.”)
As you can probably tell, I’m not a big proponent of fad diets. Sure, they may work in the short term (any time you limit your food intake you’re going to lose weight), but few of them teach you how to eat in the “real” world. Once you go off the diet, chances are extremely high you’ll not only gain all the weight back, those pounds will invite their friends to the party. (I experienced this after a brief stint on South Beach).
This time, I was determined to do things right. I was inspired by Oprah’s Boot Camp, and my darling and I gave up alcohol for 12 weeks to jump-start things. But the biggest change? You guessed it: like Forrest, I started RUN-NING. I had no intentions to run any races; I just wanted to get back into a healthier lifestyle. But a year and 30-pound weight loss later, I set my sights on running another half marathon. I never looked back.
It’s now three years later and I’ve lost almost 45 pounds since that fateful day. By no means has it been easy; there’ve been ups, downs and plateaus. But I’ve learned so much about myself and how my body responds to food and exercise. It’s clear there’s no such thing as a quick fix.
My original goal weight for my June marathon was 150 pounds, but I’m very happy with my current weight (which has been fluctuating between 155-158). Not only do I feel leaner and meaner, my speed has certainly increased (my knees also thank me).
May 24th, 2008 at 12:23 am
Holy crap! You look AMAZING!!!
May 24th, 2008 at 8:53 am
You look terrific! Very brave and inspirational to post before pictures. I’m confused about the flour on the nightstand.
May 24th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Thank you MissAllycat and Shirley! (And believe me — you DON’T want to know about the flour. It’s in reference to a very tasteless joke).
May 24th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Woo-hoo! You go girl! I love before and after pics, and you look so athletic now!
May 24th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
You don’t know me, but I had to tell you that you look awesome! You are an inspiration!! Thanks for that.
May 24th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
OMG!!What an amazing transformation. I am guessing mine was very similar, although I wasn’t brave enough to take any before pics. I always had a child posed in front of my body to cover it up. YOu are currently about 5 lbs less than me as I flucuate between 160 and 165 these days. I would also love to get down to 150 and may do one of those metabolic testing things after NODM and get a plan made up for eating and exercise.
Only 2 weeks to go!!!
May 24th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
You look great! Congrats on losing and more importantly, feeling better about yourself!
May 25th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Betsy,
I know you posted before and after pics last year too… are these brand new after pics?
I went through a similar transformation myself five years ago when I started running so I know what it’s like to feel strong, healthy and proud. It’s such an empowering attitude, isn’t it?
Good for you… keep up the great work!
May 25th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Yep — they’re different after pics! (These were taken a week ago).
May 26th, 2008 at 6:22 am
DAMN! You look awesome! Just look at the before and after of your butt, woman! You should be so proud.
May 26th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Wow, you look amazing! Congratulations! And thanks for verifying that things like NS are a bad idea…
May 27th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Too cool – what a brilliant transformation! Good on you!
May 28th, 2008 at 8:24 am
awesome!
May 28th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Wow Betsy! You look great….you can’t be called Butsy : ).
May 28th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
My God, I can’t believe the before pictures are even you, that’s how big of a transformation you have gone through. By reading through your posts (I’m a new reader/follower), I am so impressed by your attitude, your speed, your work ethic, and I love your acronyms. Good luck on your marathon!
May 28th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Wow! You are an inspiration (both for the transformation and for your blog)! I’m about to run my first marathon on Sunday, but in 22 weeks of training, I haven’t lost a single pound. I’ve read some things that say that marathoners often consume more calories as a result of their training…that’s been true for me!
May 29th, 2008 at 9:30 am
You look great! I always enjoy reading your posts…this one was no different. Congratulations.
Isn’t it so fun to call yourself a runner!!!
May 29th, 2008 at 10:29 am
WOW those pictures are amazing! Now if only I could learn that running doesn’t mean I can eat anything I want after, maybe I could make some progress too…
June 3rd, 2008 at 11:04 pm
Bravo Betsy! You look great…amazing transformation 🙂
July 8th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
WOW! You rock! I just happened across your blog and am so impressed with your accomplishments! Did you find out what was making you dizzy? I’m sure the strain of the race had something to do with it. I am just so proud and amazed at your accomplishments, way to go girl!!
Will you be doing any other marathons?! (says with a giggle). I’ve heard that when people finish they either immediately say SIGN ME UP AGAIN! or NEVER AGAIN! I was the first one-and am training for my second right now.
Good luck!
January 1st, 2009 at 11:54 pm
Ah!!! I think you have a new fan! I just happened to stumble across your web while trying to find another’s. You have a lot of courage to put up before and after pictures, which is awesome. I’m in the same predicament as you are, and I don’t know what to do to lose the weight. And I’ve practically let myself go, since things started happening. Any advice?
January 2nd, 2009 at 2:24 am
Oh! and by the way, there’s a difference. 1st pic-unhappy; 2nd pic happy. But you probably already knew that. This is what I think, “There’s nothing to smile about when you’re fat and lugging around extra weight. And the only way to being happier is through running.”