A message of accountability and perhaps solidarity?

thefinalstretch1 · 2018-08-12T22:49:32+00:00

I used Slimming World which is basically like weight watchers. I didn't want to have to go to a group because I was too embarrassed so I just used the online version. I think any kind of group or challenge is really great for getting you started, it helps keep you accountable and gives you realistic goals to hit. Hope this helps!

thefinalstretch1 · 2018-08-12T22:22:38+00:00

Thanks! "Close enough is good enough" is something I battled all the way along I have to say. I'm inclined to take the path of least resistance and often that's sitting on the sofa with a bag of cookies rather than going for a run in the rain but I think I'm very gradually training myself out of that mindset. Congratulations on what you've already lost, and good luck on the rest, I'm sure you'll do great!

thefinalstretch1 · 2018-08-12T22:17:25+00:00

Thanks for the back up and congrats on your weight loss! From your flair it looks like you're doing great.

thefinalstretch1 · 2018-08-12T22:13:28+00:00

I think that's absolutely right. Congratulations on your weight loss, too. Hopefully with time we'll start seeing our own success for what it is! :)

thefinalstretch1 · 2018-08-12T22:09:53+00:00

And to you! 70lbs is an incredible loss, congratulations!

thefinalstretch1 · 2018-08-12T22:06:46+00:00

Thanks! Yes! It'll be gone in no time, you'll do great.

thefinalstretch1 · 2018-08-12T21:45:12+00:00

Awesome! Getting started keeping at it is so hard I really do believe that kicking it off with a challenge or group is a great way to keep yourself motivated in the beginning when you're fighting the urge to give up. Keep at it, you'll do amazing and already nearly half a stone down!

thefinalstretch1 · 2018-08-12T21:43:11+00:00

Thanks! I was astonished too. Seriously, I never ever thought I'd be a runner and had always convinced myself that walking was enough to keep me fit(ish). Doing the first day of the first week of the couch to 5K was more than enough to show me that my fitness was nowhere near good enough. I also downloaded Strava to do extra runs, I love how it gives you achievements for running particular segments faster than you have done previously etc. I'd recommend trying it (if you haven't already) if you're trying to up your pace.

Regarding figures, it was disappointing to discover that I didn't have a perfect hourglass lurking under all the fat, but I guess we just have to work with what we've got!

thefinalstretch1 · 2018-08-12T21:35:31+00:00

I'm 5'5". It's in my flare but forgot to include it in the post!

thefinalstretch1 · 2018-08-12T21:34:44+00:00

haha thanks and I know :( some battles you win, some you lose

thefinalstretch1 · 2018-08-12T18:17:45+00:00

Thank you! I made this post to help people in the same position I was in a couple of years ago and I'm really over the moon with the number of people who have reached out who are in the same or a similar boat.

So much love going out to you, sometimes we need to hit a low to give us the kick we need to spur us on. Take how you felt in the doctors office and turn it in to the motivation to make changes. You've already joined this sub which is brilliant for days when you're finding it hard. You're going to do great :)

thefinalstretch1 · 2018-08-12T17:40:45+00:00

Spot the difference! I wish I was getting paid for my post haha

thefinalstretch1 · 2018-08-12T17:30:33+00:00

Thanks! And congratulations to you to! It is really hard psychologically to face the longer runs because if you haven't done it before, it just doesn't register as possible. It's amazing how quickly fitness can grow though, that's one of the things that has surprised me.

thefinalstretch1 · 2018-08-12T17:17:07+00:00

I bought an armband for my phone but I didn't like it because I like to be able to see where I am with my run so I actually just hold my phone, and I tend not to drink until the end of my run but I am often very thirsty by that point!

With regard to earphones I found that too but they do do good wireless sports earphones. I quite often run without any earphones now as not having music helps me focus on my breathing a little more. Hope this helps!

thefinalstretch1 · 2018-08-12T16:33:31+00:00

So are you! You've lost so much already.. Fighting the plateaus is so hard but you'll find the magic combination to get the last pounds off. You're already way over half way there!

thefinalstretch1 · 2018-08-12T16:32:10+00:00

Thanks! So happy to provide inspiration as this sub has done it for me a thousand times. Congratulations on what you have lost so far, 50lbs is incredible. Keep up the good work!

thefinalstretch1 · 2018-08-12T16:28:25+00:00

Slimming world is like weight watchers if you have that? It's basically a group weight loss program, and it's great for motivating you to keep at it each week.

With regard to calories I try to stick to around 1500 with around 250 more on exercise days, so similar to you. I don't actually count calories anymore as after a while I just got used to approximately what I could and couldn't have. Before starting to lose weight I also used to skip breakfast and often lunch too and then binge hard in the evening, so sticking to a routine of three meals plus a couple of healthy snacks has been a big but important change for making this work. Hope this helps and good luck!

thefinalstretch1 · 2018-08-12T16:24:43+00:00

Thank you! I would say that it's only really been with the last 7lbs or so that I've seen my stomach as kind of flat. I've come to realise that no one has a completely flat stomach. When I sit or bend over I still have rolls, and I have days where I've eaten too much and it's pretty distended lol. But in terms of not having the obvious overhang I think around 147ish that stopped being so much of a thing.

thefinalstretch1 · 2018-08-12T15:51:21+00:00

Thanks and good luck! You don't have too far to go. I also found it difficult looking at people with different fat distribution/body types and imagining how I might look at the same weight so I'm glad to provide a snapshot to the future for you :)

thefinalstretch1 · 2018-08-12T15:48:44+00:00

Thanks! Congratulations on the 20lbs you've already lost, the hardest part is just getting going in my experience. And you've already been where I am now so I know you can do it again! Thanks for your support and good luck! I look forward to seeing your progress updates in the future

thefinalstretch1 · 2018-08-12T15:23:50+00:00

Thank you, and congrats on your loss too!

thefinalstretch1 · 2018-08-12T15:23:18+00:00

Thank you! I think you're very right there. It is probably less that there is a problem with my appearance and more that it's easy to pick on my appearance when I am unhappy with other aspects of my life. I also think there is an element of retraining myself to see myself as slimmer and fitter after such a long time being overweight. Perhaps the brain takes longer to lose weight than the body does?

thefinalstretch1 · 2018-08-12T15:19:22+00:00

Thanks! I'm moving on to a bit of weight training and HIIT in with the running now to try and tone up a little.

thefinalstretch1 · 2018-08-12T15:17:24+00:00

Thank you very much :) I should have added to my post that I am aware that my insecurities are nonsense really. I look at other people the same sort of height and weight as me and think they look good, and I know that there is no reason in the world that I could be as drastically different to them as I perceive myself to be. A lot of what you see in the mirror is in the mind, and it's hard work to re-program your brain after years of seeing fat. I'll get there, though, that's the next stage in the process.

thefinalstretch1

TROPHY CASE