This past year I went from an "obese" BMI (which I'm pretty sure I didn't look, I carried those pounds like a champ) to a "normal" weight. Face gains can be seen here! For reference, I'm 5'4.
I've always been an active person. I was a competitive dancer from ages 5 to 14, and a three-sport athlete as a teenager. I had always been tiny, until puberty hit. At that time my metabolism slowed, my chest grew exponentially (32HH UK sizing at its largest), and I hated how I looked. I developed an eating disorder and fought my curvy adult body type until I was in college. I got therapy, started to heal my relationship with food, and my weight steadily went up and up and up. I continued to exercise; hiking, weight lifting, skiing. I was diagnosed with some chronic health problems around that time, including a vein disease, multiple-strain chronic lyme's disease, and chronic pain due to my chest size. I stopped exercising for the most part, because it hurt.
By the time I met my now wife, and finished college, I knew I needed to make changes. I just felt really unhealthy. Obviously, the change I made was to enroll in doctoral-level graduate school! My stress went through the roof, and I also developed hypertension! Second-year of my grad program, I decided to try and get my health and stress under control. My career involves helping others be mentally healthy, and I wasn't healthy myself. So I got surgery to correct my vein disease. I did physical therapy for my chronic pain, and a few months later, I had an insurance-covered breast reduction surgery. Being able to stand on my feet without pain, and with my back pain greatly reduced, I was able to start exercising again.
Then COVID! I gained a good 15 pounds from drinking excess alcohol and eating excess junk food due to boredom and being stuck inside. I hit my peak of 175, and I knew a "lifestyle change" was in order. I was worried about CICO due to my history of eating disorders, and initially had my wife plan my meals for me and count for me. Eventually, I was able to take over control and eat more intuitively, as I had a good understanding of what my portions should be. I'd estimate for Sept 2020 - March 2021 I ate within the range of 1200-1600 calories a day. I also stationary bike most mornings, walk a mile or two every day and hike most weekends. I eat what I want, just small portions and in a mindful way.
I haven't felt this good ever. The last time I was this thin I was in high school, and actively purging. Now I am thin and strong because I have taken care of myself. I am really proud and sad I can't really share this with most people in my life. My wife is proud of me, as is my mother. My clients haven't noticed, and neither have my friends? Unless it's just hard to tell over Zoom or they don't feel comfortable telling me. It's an odd thing to celebrate. I am so happy I can eat at maintenance now!
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source https://www.reddit.com/r/loseit/comments/m1lmp1/i_met_my_goal_175_to_138_over_the_course_of_a_year/
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