The Moment I Realized I Was Fat

 

Photo Credit: Total Shape

A little over a year ago, I remember getting the pictures back from our Christmas card shoot, and I was horrified by what I saw. The pictures of my kids were awesome, but I quickly scrolled past any picture that had me in it. I generally like pictures of me; any extra weight that I carry, I can usually pick out a good picture without feeling like I look too fat, but in these photos, it was not working. This was the moment I knew I needed to get my (large) butt in gear!

Now, this isn’t the first time I decided to make changes to slim down and feel better. My whole life I struggled with extra weight. My dad passed away when I was eight, and I packed on pounds after that. I slimmed down in high school with the help of sports, but my senior year and into college I packed it right back on. A fad diet helped me slim down for my wedding and then once that passed it was a free for all. My weight added up and I was at my heaviest. I got pregnant with my first child, and we all know what happens from there. Three kids later and this Christmas card had me realizing something had to be done.
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Over the past 20 years of my life, I’ve tried all sorts of diets: South Beach, Atkins, Metabolic, HCG. I paid a ton of money for a miracle cure to my weight problems. And I DID lose weight. Quickly! But none of that weight loss was sustainable. The moment I finished a diet, I went back to my old eating habits, and the weight came right back. Knowing these facts, I knew I needed to find a real solution to my weight issues, not just a temporary one.

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Two weeks before Thanksgiving in 2014, I decided to join Weight Watchers. I had tried WW before, but I never took it seriously, and I had never gone to meetings. I committed to the program and the weekly meeting. I told myself until the new year I would only focus on food and learning to eat better. WW was/ is a great program for me because nothing is off limits. I could still indulge myself with some of my favorite foods, but balance them with healthier low-fat foods. As it turns out, food is all a numbers game. Math has never been my forte, but I’m competitive, and I made it a competition for myself.

By January, I had dropped about 10 pounds. It was motivation to keep going and add in workout schedule to really burn some fat. I found friends that I could work out with, and I really changed it up in my workouts, so I didn’t get bored. I did Stroller Strength, Timed Exercise, Pilates, Barre, Spinning, and Zumba just to name a few. Come May I was down almost 40 lbs! Now, a little over a year later into my weight loss journey, I am happy to say I’ve kept most of the weight off (33 pounds)! I am human. The holidays piled on a few pounds because well, booze and sweets. But instead of letting the wheels totally fall off, I just pick back up and forge on. I have just recently committed myself to losing more weight. I am back at weight watchers meetings and setting new goals for myself.

I remember last Spring, I was on a cruise and I was running laps past a very large woman who was playing shuffleboard with her kids. Every time I ran by, she apologized for her kids being loud (which it was Disney Cruise, so they should be loud!!) On my cool-down lap, I walked past her and she made the comment that she wished she could run. I stopped and looked at her and told her SHE COULD! If I can do it, anyone can. Just four months before I felt the same way.

blog123Though everyone’s weight loss journey is different, I found a few tips that really worked for me and hopefully might help you too!

It’s All About the Food (Not Exercise)

I don’t care what anyone says. If you have a weight problem, you have a problem with FOOD, not EXERCISE. Well, that’s not to say you don’t have a problem with exercise too, but the FOOD is the most important component of weight loss. Eat healthier: lose weight. Try to exercise more and still eat crap: minimal weight loss, burnout with exercising without results and quit working out and gain more weight.  I’ve tried it this way because I always thought I ate pretty healthy. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Makeover your diet first and you will start to see results. Then add exercising as a powerful tool to up that weight loss. No burnout and major results!

Portion Control

Everyone has heard this, but this goes along with what I said before. I felt like I ate fairly healthy before, turns out my portions were probably double what I should be eating! I started weighing my meat at dinner to 4 0z. or 6 oz. portions. I would count out servings of wheat thins (16 crackers) and almonds (18 almonds). After doing this for a few months, you really have a better idea of how much you should be eating. Veggies and fruits are a free for all, though. Nobody got fat eating fruits and veggies!

Join a Weight Loss Group

I’m not saying that is has to be Weight Watchers. I’m definitely not getting any perks for singing their praises, but having an easy system that doesn’t deny you any foods  (Or should I say, lets you drink wine?!) and holds you accountable is a recipe for success.

Write it Down

And by IT, I mean pretty much everything. I write everything down in my calendar. I meal plan all my meals and workouts there. My meals and exercise are scheduled for the week, and that helps me stay on track. Ryan Secrest, who dealt with weight issues when he was younger, said he started writing his workouts in his calendar like business meetings. He would never miss a business meeting, so why would he skip out on taking care of himself!? That is so true!

Make SMALL Goals

Along with writing down my workouts and meals, I also jot down weekly and monthly goals in my planner. Instead of looking at the huge picture of losing a lot of weight which can seem daunting, I set weekly and monthly goals that don’t seem overwhelming. They can be simple, like organize hall closet for the week. Or I would set monthly weight loss goals of 5 pounds per month and then reward myself with a new workout outfit or lip gloss! Again, writing them down and looking at them daily helps!

Drink Water

Yeah… you’ve heard that before. But it is true and key! Get a big water bottle and make yourself drink your daily water. I use the large 50oz smart water bottle and drink 2 per day. If I’m having a hard time getting it down, I make a game with myself. I have to finish the bottle before I get in the shower or before I can start cooking dinner. Both things that have to get done, so I best finish drinking my water.  It often comes down to chugging water, but hey, I’m getting is done, right!? An extra bonus is it makes your skin look awesome!

Experiment

Keeping things fresh is really key to helping me not give up on my goals. Like I said, I love changing up my workout routine to try different things. It challenges me mentally and also challenges different muscles groups that perhaps one of my other workouts didn’t. I also love experimenting in the kitchen. Trying new things helps to not get burned out on the same food you keep preparing weekly. I love taking some of my favorite, not so good for your recipes, and lightening them up with substitutes. Honey for sugar, greek yogurt for sour cream. Sometimes the experiments work and sometimes they don’t, but it’s fun to see what you can come up with!

Don’t Give Up!

Seriously! It sounds cliche, but if you blow it one day, start over the next. You can do anything you put your mind to. We tell that to our children constantly, right!? We should take our own advice!!

Do you have some helpful weight loss tips!?  Please share them!

Kacey Roache
Kacey Roache is a Jacksonville native who lives in Ponte Vedra with her husband, TJ, and her three kids, Lucy, Lucas and Lola. Kacey graduated from Florida State University (Go Noles!) with a degree in interior design. She is passionate about the arts and arts education and has served on the board of Art with a Heart in Healthcare, Ponte Vedra Public Education Foundation for the Arts, Christ Church Creative Academy as well as the PTOs at her kids' school. In her spare time you might find her channeling her inner Serena Williams on the tennis court, performing in community theater, or enjoying the beach with her friends and family. Follow her family's chaos on Instagram: @kaceyroachepvb

3 COMMENTS

  1. Your after pic looks great! I would say big keys to get started are writing your food and portions down, as you said, and also just eat your vegetables already. I know so many adults who say “I don’t like vegetables”. You’re a grown up, put on your big kid pants and just do it!

    I think most people really have no idea how many snacks or treats add up until they write their food down. If you feel guilty writing it down and letting someone else see it, that’s a hint to think twice or cut back.

    Group exercise is the best way to 1) not have to think about what workout you’re going to do and 2) stay accountable and have fun doing it. Shameless plug for my pick, CrossFit 904.

  2. Go Kacey!!!! You are glowing!!!! Thank you for this! I’m inspired to start writing down all those gummy Bears I eat without giving a second thought to!!!! So proud of you!!!!!

  3. Poop!

    That’s my biggest weight loss tip. It sounds tmi to a lot of people but, if you don’t cleanse your digestive track out, you’re never going to lose weight.

    How?
    – your tip about water. Lots of water
    – fruits and veggies keep you regular
    – probiotics and other natural supplements (like aan essential oil supporting your digestive system)

    Congratulations on your loss!!! After almost 2 years of miscarriages and medical issues, I’m starting my weight loss journey again and you’ve encouraged me!!!

    https://m.facebook.com/confessionsofastrugglingmomblog/?tsid=0.21491840391942807&source=typeahead

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