Joy Unexpected | Winners do the Math!

December 10, 2009

I Believe This is What They Call "A Breakthrough."

200.8

201.4

202

200.4

These are the numbers that have flashed on the scale for the past month. It's been mentally frustrating to not be able to break the 200 pounds mark. To be honest, it's been so discouraging that I started to give up. I wasn't going to the gym regularly. I wasn't watching my sugar intake like I should. It just felt like it was never going to happen, so why am I killing myself trying?

Then, I came across a video on YouTube about insulin resistance. I was reminded yet again of what could happen to my body if I don't take care of it properly. I had become so focused on "the numbers" that I temporarily lost sight of what is really important.

My health.

Not getting diabetes.

I was slipping back into my old way of thinking regarding weight and body image. And that is UNACCEPTABLE. If I allow myself to think and behave in that manner, my health will deteriorate. That's the reality of my life now.

Luckily, I saw the errors of my way and snapped out of the funk.

I started working out regularly again.

My body has responded in a way I was beginning to think it never would.

I may have shed a little tear when I saw that.

I realize that next week it could very read "200" again, but that's okay. I now know that it's possible to get under 200. IT IS POSSIBLE.

But more importantly than that-- I have regained my focus on what is REALLY important here. I'm back on track mentally as well as physically.

Today is a good day.

Posted by Y at December 10, 2009 7:55 AM

Comments

Congratulations, Yvonne! My magic number is higher, and I haven't got anywhere near it yet, but you passing yours is such an encouragement to me, and I love to see you focusing on the RIGHT reasons, for your life, your love and your children.

Posted by: Heather at December 10, 2009 8:31 AM

YAY! I'm so happy for you! Congrats!

Posted by: Lessa at December 10, 2009 8:33 AM

Congratulations! That is fantastic! And for me once I joined the under 200 club it seemed to come off a lot faster/easier.

Posted by: McKenzie at December 10, 2009 8:34 AM

YOU ROCK!!! Y, I am so absolutely thrilled for you!!!! I mean, like crying a little thrilled!!!

Posted by: Dawn at December 10, 2009 8:35 AM

WAY TO GO! I was diagnosed with insulin resistance by my endocrinologist and he put me on a medication called "Acarbos" that slows your digestion of carbs so that you don't get the blood sugar "spikes" (no it doesn't KEEP you from absorbing the carbs, sadly, that was my first question LOL). It worked really well and I was able to exercise more and eat less because I wasn't getting the "lows" that would lead to poor food choices or feeling as sluggish. I'm pleased to report that I've lost twenty-five pounds since then and been able to stop taking the meds; in fact my blood sugar normalized and my endocrinologist has released me from his care! Apparently fat is considered an organ in the endocrine system and by losing some you can "fix" insulin resistance to a certain extent. My thyroid labs improved too (to the point that the endo. said I could just see my PCP for the Synthroid script)!

Posted by: MFA Mama at December 10, 2009 8:35 AM

Yeah! ! ! !! I am doing the happy dance for you!

Posted by: Nancy P at December 10, 2009 8:37 AM

Congratulations! That's awesome!

Posted by: The Tutugirl at December 10, 2009 8:38 AM

Yay! I got a super big smile when I saw the pic. That's awesome, congrats!

Posted by: Amy at December 10, 2009 8:40 AM

Congrats!!! What a great way to start the holiday season!!! Really happy for you. :)

Posted by: Leslie M. at December 10, 2009 8:52 AM

So many congrats! I have no doubt in my mind that the numbers will continue to descend.

Posted by: Hope at December 10, 2009 8:53 AM

I am coming out of lurkdome to congratulate you! I have followed your blog for so long, but never felt I had anything to say. But this is awesome! I have struggled with my weight also and broke the 200 mark a couple of months ago, it is a wonderful feeling! Congratulations again!

Posted by: Traci at December 10, 2009 9:03 AM

tear. sniff.

glad to hear the change in attitude! i know that the number means a lot to you. but i still go back to the comparison of 08 blogher pics and 09 blogher pics and just am amazed by how much healthier and happier and just plain better you look!

-is it impossible for you to be happy at this current weight? or are you happy and feeling good and could just maintain this?

just asking questions. hope it helps your journey.

Posted by: mouthy_broad (michele) at December 10, 2009 9:06 AM

Yay congrats! Good job!

Posted by: monstergirlee at December 10, 2009 9:08 AM

Depending on how many tears you shed, you can probably get that number even lower.

I use sad little tricks like that to motivate myself.

Congrats.

Posted by: E.Peevie at December 10, 2009 9:11 AM

Hippity hoppity hooray!

Posted by: patois at December 10, 2009 9:14 AM

WAHOO!!!!

Posted by: amber of theambershow at December 10, 2009 9:16 AM

Yea and congrats! I'm glad you didn't give up.

Posted by: sherri at December 10, 2009 9:23 AM

WOW! Just WOW..
I am soooo happy for you. This is so huge.. I know! I think we all have that number that we are just dying to see on the scale.
What's next? :)
I swear I'll be over the moon to just see 150 one day.....
I love how inspirational you are to all of your readers.. these comments really speak for themselves!

Posted by: Ryley at December 10, 2009 9:34 AM

Rock on sista!

Posted by: BInkytowne at December 10, 2009 9:40 AM

omg -even though it's not about the numbers...has a number ever looked so freakin great??? i'm so happy for you!!! and why is doing it for our health so much harder than doing it for the number?? i'm proud of you for getting back on track!

Posted by: Amy M at December 10, 2009 9:47 AM

WAAAAHOOOOOO! :)

I'm SO proud of you!

Posted by: Kyla at December 10, 2009 9:50 AM

As you say, the numbers mean less than whether YOU'RE feeling good and whether you're healthy...

But... I can't help also feeling like this is a HUGE breakthrough for you, Y! Congratulations! Do something that makes you happy today.

Posted by: Pam at December 10, 2009 9:52 AM

Great job! And glad to hear that you're focusing back on your health again and not just the numbers (although that number has to feel amazing finally).

Posted by: Jessi at December 10, 2009 9:54 AM

Congratulations!! Yay Y!

Posted by: Rebecca (Bearca) at December 10, 2009 9:56 AM

That is such a big deal!!!! Congrats and keep up the good work--so very happy for you!!!

Posted by: Denise at December 10, 2009 9:59 AM

YAAAAYYYYY! I'm so glad--and your family will thank you for your good self-care!

Posted by: schoolofmom at December 10, 2009 10:01 AM

Freakin awesome! Congrats! The best part? You already figured out how to lose that pound. For every subsequent pound, you just do the same thing :)

Posted by: BusyDad at December 10, 2009 10:04 AM

Congrats! That is SO AWESOME!

I've been trying to get healthy too and have lost 20+ pounds so far. I'm only 5 pounds from seeing that one at the beginning of my weight and I can't WAIT!

Keep up the good work!

Posted by: Antigone at December 10, 2009 10:12 AM

Congratulations!! That is so great and I thank you for the motivation you give me to continue on this weight loss journey myself.

Posted by: Leah at December 10, 2009 10:14 AM

Woo hoo!!!!!! I am so very, very happy for you. You should be so proud of yourself - not just for the number, but for the switch in attitude as well :-)

Posted by: Phoenix at December 10, 2009 10:22 AM

Go you! Congrats on getting to that 199 mark! And for having the strength to change patterns - such a hard thing to do.

Posted by: Carley at December 10, 2009 10:29 AM

Congrats!!! I am trying to get out of the 300 group and break 299! Good luck on your journey!

Posted by: Anne Y at December 10, 2009 10:33 AM

I am totally doing the cabbage patch dance over here. That's how awesome you are (and awesome I'm not).

Posted by: anne nahm at December 10, 2009 10:35 AM

Congratulations, Y! That's awesome!

Posted by: stephanie at December 10, 2009 10:39 AM

Congratulations, Y! I know how are hard you have been working towards this goal. Good for you.

Posted by: Marci at December 10, 2009 11:01 AM

oh yay! congrats on making it to sub-200 and to your renewed outlook. i'm so happy for you y!

Posted by: talda at December 10, 2009 11:07 AM

Oh my gosh congrats! I'm so proud of you and you are such an amazing, determined woman!

Posted by: Jen @ lifelovenwine at December 10, 2009 11:07 AM

I am so happy for you that I literally said outloud, "Wooohooo!! Go Y!". :)

Posted by: Jennifer at December 10, 2009 11:25 AM

Hooray!!!

Posted by: Liz at December 10, 2009 11:29 AM

Wow! You have worked hard and you deserve to see that much sought after number. Way to go!! I got chills and a big happy smile for you today!

Posted by: tiffany at December 10, 2009 11:42 AM

YAHOO!! Good for you!

Posted by: Kelly at December 10, 2009 11:45 AM

You are amazing. I think I very well may have shed a tear for you as well. Good job. I've lost 80 lbs, and you inspire me to keep working. :)

Posted by: Kellee at December 10, 2009 11:46 AM

Go Yvonne!

Posted by: Karla at December 10, 2009 11:56 AM

I've been on my own weight loss journey for the last 6 months. Almost 40 pounds down..20 more until my goal. I never thought I was going to see 199, either..but when it happened it was the most exciting moment since my husband came home from Afghanistan, ya know? I'm now down to 194 and have sworn to never ever see 200 again. Ya know..unless I get pregnant anytime soon haha. Congrats to you! Keep up the awesome work!

Posted by: Abby at December 10, 2009 11:57 AM

smiles for you!

Posted by: Headless Mom at December 10, 2009 12:10 PM

Whoop, Whoop!!! Congrats! Keep up the good work :)

Posted by: Carolyn at December 10, 2009 12:18 PM

This made me smile. Good for you!

Posted by: Lar at December 10, 2009 1:52 PM

Whee! Congratulations!!!!

Think about it as a lifestyle, not a diet. A good habit. Just like brushing your teeth. You CAN do it and you HAVE!

Yay!

Posted by: Running Budgie at December 10, 2009 2:30 PM

eeeeee! i'm so glad i'm home alone, because i squealed. congrats!

Posted by: adri at December 10, 2009 4:29 PM

CONGRATULATIONS! I normally lurk, but you deserve some serious praise!

Posted by: Lee Anne at December 10, 2009 4:46 PM

Whoo hoo! You are an inspiration. I've been reading/lurking forevah and just had to pop in to say how proud of you I am for busting through in spite of it all. I'm in a lifelong war with teh fatz or teh skinneez, and the only reason I hang tight is cause I usually do get results. With your situation, I would have given up a long time ago. Hooray for you, Yvonne!

Posted by: bikerchick at December 10, 2009 5:11 PM

Woohooo!! Congratulations!

Posted by: Erin at December 10, 2009 5:17 PM

That's wonderful! Congrats, congrats, congrats.

Posted by: Nicole at December 10, 2009 6:06 PM

I'm so happy for you! I'm struggling as well 'cuz I can't leave the wine alone. But I'm going to get there. Congratulations!!!!!

Posted by: Susan at December 10, 2009 8:04 PM

HALLELUJAH! I know we're strangers and all, but I'm really proud of you and happy for you!

Posted by: Denise at December 10, 2009 10:35 PM

Way to go Yvonne! I'm so proud of your achievements!

Posted by: Lisa at December 11, 2009 12:45 AM

YAY!!

Posted by: Alison C at December 11, 2009 2:13 AM

I just shed some tears for you. Well done! Your awesomeness knows no bounds. Thanks for the inspiration. I need it.

Posted by: Nicki at December 11, 2009 3:52 AM

yay :) i'm happy for you!

Posted by: miss crazy at December 11, 2009 4:06 AM

I started jumping up and down when I saw that picture. YAY! YAY! YAY! SO FREAKIN' HAPPY FOR YOU!!!

Posted by: sam {temptingmama} at December 11, 2009 6:22 AM

How amazing for you!

Posted by: Al at December 11, 2009 6:27 AM

Exactly. Exactly! Health, fitness, happiness first: on that track and the numbers follow. You are a great example to us all! Also, really hot lately. Rawr.

Posted by: norm at December 11, 2009 9:12 AM

YVONNE!! YAAAAAAAY! That is amazing. Keep up the good work!

Posted by: Lindsay at December 11, 2009 9:45 AM

AWESOME. I love you girl!

Posted by: Maggie, dammit at December 12, 2009 10:04 AM

That is amazing! Congratulations!

Posted by: Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah at December 12, 2009 2:03 PM

YAY! Congratulations, that is wonderful!

Posted by: Rachael at December 13, 2009 9:34 PM

I never comment, but I have to tell you CONGRATS on breaking the 200 mark. I've been there, and it's a BIG DEAL!! Stay proud of yourself!

Posted by: kathie at December 14, 2009 12:18 PM

This diabetic is cheering for you!!!!

Posted by: Aimee Greeblemonkey at December 15, 2009 4:22 PM