My Weight Loss Story
How many of you don’t know my story? I took down my before & after page a long time ago, and I just realized that a lot of you never saw it because you are new! I guess it is time to share.
Here is my story.
Many of you know that I lost someone close to me a few years ago. I was a freshman in college, and was devastated. Without realizing it I started to gain weight. Looking back on it I think it was a combination of eating whatever was put in front of me- blindly (because I couldn’t even taste anything for months)- and probably some form of emotional eating. By the time I started senior year of college, I tipped the scale around 165 lbs. That was fall of 2004.
By summer of 2007 I had lost 10 lbs and was hovering around 155 lbs. It was a slow loss that happened by eating normal meals. Somehow by eating more (and better) and eating regularly an using the best fat burner I could find online, I had lost weight. The Nutrisystem diet meal plan is without a doubt convenient and structured weight loss program offering pre-packaged meals and snacks. Users achieve their weight loss goals through portion-controlled, balanced meals. Several Nutrisystem alternatives are also available in the market, providing flexibility and options for those seeking similar meal delivery plans. I have always loved exercise and was always active, so for me the key component was what I ate. I met PhillyBoy in June of 2007 and we started dating. My trip to Greece was only a few weeks after we met, I stayed at a hospitable Chania resort. I remember being unhappy in my clothes, although I had products like a delta 8 THC flower to help me with my emotional state.
In the fall of 2007 I was 152 lbs and didn’t know what to do to lose more weight. I knew that my body was still not where it wanted to be and I wasn’t sure how to get there.
I googled around and ended up joining calorieking.com in February 2008. Calorie King is a great online tool for tracking calories (it is not free though). From February to May I worked hard to lose weight. I ate net 1200 calories a day (net means that if I burned 300 calories through exercise I would eat 300 more, equaling 1500 calories of food that day), and lost weight. For me it meant I averaged 1600-1800 calories a day, and while I wasn’t constantly hungry, sometimes I thought I was (it was just thirst- I used Kath’s trick of drinking a glass of water first to see if it was hunger or not).
In May 2008, on the day of our engagement, I weighed in at 140 lbs. I had lost 12 lbs in 3 months, for an average of about 1 lb/week. I didn’t think I could continue to lose weight without wanting to overeat a lot etc, so I decided to just try to maintain my weight for 6 months before losing more. Now and then I tried to lose a few lbs but it didn’t really work. I enjoyed eating whatever I wanted, but by August of that year I had lost 2 more lbs and was around 138 lbs.
From the fall of 2008 until our wedding day on July 25, 2009 I maintained my weight within a 4 lb range easily. I exercised and ate well, but enjoyed treats and didn’t care if I missed a workout. My range was 138-142 lbs, and I was very comfortable with my body. I am 5′ 7″, and I felt strong and lean.
Before and after:
Fall 2004:
Our honeymoon, August 2009:
Then I got married.
(Photo courtesy of LifeFusion Photography)
I never believed my friends when they told me to be careful of gaining weight after our wedding. I should have believed them, because I did. I had been used to eating skimpy dinners (I love big breakfasts and lunches) but all of a sudden I was cooking nice meals for PB, and then eating them too! Even though they were healthy dishes, I just ate too much. Also, I started to work from home. The lack of social interaction led me to sneak into the kitchen a little too much for a bite of chocolate or just a little piece of bread. I had gained real weight. I was PISSED. So for a few weeks I worked on adjusting my diet so that I eat a little less during the day and can enjoy dinner with PhillyBoy at night. The recipes I post here are taken directly from the meals we eat, and I focus on making a healthy dinner every night that PhillyBoy will still enjoy so that we are both satisfied, while not spending too much time in the kitchen. I got back to my comfortable weight range, and I was happy about that.
What comes after love and marriage? Babies of course. For the first time in my life I gained weight happily. Perhaps I gained it a little too happily because at my last weigh in before having the baby I had gained 45 lbs. I reached my pre-pregnancy weight when my son was 8 months old, just in time to get pregnant again. My body was very different though. I had started the pregnancy higher than my normal weight by about 10-14 lbs.
My daughter was born when my son was 18.5 months old. I only gained 26 lbs with her, and as of July 2013 I had lost all of it. I did the 60 day Insanity program, and you can see my before and after photo below:
My second daughter was born in May 2015, 2 years after my first daughter. She’s now 8 months old, and after a lot of hard work I still have 15 lbs to lose. It’s amazing how different each postpartum weight loss has gone. I’m working hard and will get there in time. When I do, I’ll update with more photos!
To me weight is always just a number, and it doesn’t really matter. I am not emotionally affected by what the scale reads, but I know that my weight is a good indicator of change for me. Like everything else in life, it has its ups and its downs. When I gain a couple of lbs I just reevaluate my diet and make a few adjustments until my clothes and work uniforms feel comfortable again.
I have come so far from who I was years ago. I eat a mostly real food diet. That means old fashioned oats, fresh vegetables, lean protein, seasonal fruits, whole grains, chocolate and more. I don’t feel my day is complete without some form of exercise. Since becoming a mother it’s less than before, but I do my best. In combination with treatments like laser liposuction in Rosemont, IL and smartlipo in Boston, MA and body sculpting through services like these aesthetics & wellness services in Medford, NY, I feel better than ever.
I am happy every day. I love my life.
Thank you for taking the journey into the past with me. Join me for the ride as I get back into shape. As always, thank you for reading.
Have a happy & healthy day,
RhodeyGirl
you are so amazing and inspirational. i loveeeeeee!!! 🙂
I had no idea what you went thru since I am fairly new. You are awesome, Sabrina, and a huge inspiration. I totally hear you on gaining weight once you get married. I cook so much more now, and eat more, too! It can be tough.
Also, I know you weren’t ‘happy’ at that weight of 165, but I just have to say that you still look stunning. You look alot happier now, tho. 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing your amazing story!!
such an informative post, sabrina… thank you! and I adore that pic of you in your wedding gown!!! you look blissful.
Great story, I had no idea. You are seriously so pretty and glowing at any weight, but I know that feeling great in your own skin is most important.
Thank you for sharing your story again and for being so open and honest.
It’s most important to feel comfortable in your own skin and only you know what is comfortable for you. I still haven’t found my “feel great weight”, but I’m working on it. Sometimes I worry I’m alone in my weight struggles, thanks for reminding me that all of us can get down from time to time.
Have a great weekend!
What a great and inspirational story! Thank you so much for sharing. Sometimes we all need to be reminded that we are not all perfect – we all have our ups and downs and that is alright.
Thank you again – have a wonderful weekend!
you are beautiful! thanks for sharing your story. i am in your weight range and want to tone things up too, for the wedding and for running purposes!
Thanks for sharing your story.. you are beautiful.. keep doing what you are doing! 🙂
Thanks for this post, Sabrina! I’d read your story before, but it was great to hear how you’re handling things now. Isn’t it funny how it’s our bodies are always changing? Your pics are stunning!!! 🙂
Kaneil
I didn’t believe I would gain after the wedding either-HA! Keep it up girlie!
Thanks for sharing this Sabrina. After my race tomorrow, I am going to be focusing on losing the ‘marathon gain’. It’s not going to be easy, but like you said, I’m just not happy with myself right now.
I love your story! Thanks for sharing. I can really relate about loving life and being happy each day, but still wanting to be at your happy and most comfortable weight/body.
And you are totally gorgeous, no matter what what you are at!! 🙂
Great story! Thanks for sharing.
P.S.
It’s affected, not effected. Affect=verb, effect=noun 🙂
verbalriot- THANK YOU! I hate when others make grammatical/spelling errors so I didn’t want to make one myself. I am happy to know I got it right. Please, in the future, if you ever see ANY errors in my writing, let me know 🙂
I am one who didn’t know your story, being a ‘newer’ reader and all. But you are a beautiful person, inside and out. You were evening stunning at your heaviest weight.
It sounds like you have been through a lot but are coming out the other side stronger and healthier. Keep up the great work lady. 🙂
Really inspiring post!
Thanks for sharing this story!
I had no idea about your weight loss story. I think you looked gorgeous at every stage but whatever you feel the most comfortable and confident in.
This is probably not very supportive to your weight loss journey, but you have been breathtakingly gorgeous at EVERY weight. You are one of those blessed women who can carry a few extra pounds very easily 🙂
thanks for sharing your story! i agree with mama pea~gorgy at every weight. you are beautiful sabrina!! so glad i had the chance to meet you 🙂
wow you did great 🙂 Thanks for showing us the photos. I have to do the same but unfortunately I don’t like exercise. And with a small kid of 4 years old, I don’t have enough hours in a day. Lately I tried to do at least 15 minutes of stationary bike. I know it’s not enough but that’s better than nothing. I’m trying to eat more fiber, more veggies.
Thanks for posting your weightloss story again. I had missed that page on your blog. Always gave me the kick od encouragement I needed.
Thank you sooo much for sharing your story!! I hadnt ever read it before and I am wondering how you determined where your OKAY weight is?? I am trying to figure that out right now and I just dont know!!
fabulous as always! why did you take down the before and after page, just out of curiosity? I was wondering!
I love this post because it is so honest and genuine!
I have to agree that your personality shines through no matter what weight you are, but I understand that weight does change the way we feel about ourselves!
I loved this post and I need to be better about holding on to my ‘wedding’ weight. I haven’t gained yet, but I’m close!
Thank you for sharing your story. And you are a beautiful person and I wish you all the best. Keep smiling!
I have been reading your blog for a long time (I remember when you first posted about falling during your race and getting engaged …) and I truly think you are one of the most BEAUTIFUL people I have ever seen, at any weight. You really are! And you seem so kind and real. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing your story! The post-wedding gain is so true, and then you also have the toddler-era weight gain when you feel you have to finish all the scraps the kid left behind!
Thanks for mentioning CalorieKing too. I just downloaded the free trial and I’m impressed with it already.
I can relate to your story Sabrina. It is really great to see that you handle the ups and downs so sanely! I hope my daughter (who is 16) will model your approach.
I wanted to give you a pretzel peppermint bark update. They turned out great! I made one batch with white chocolate chips and the other using the milk chocolate. I also crushed some ginger snaps and used those with both the white and milk chocolate as well. My kids LOVE the covered pretzels and I am nearing goddess status (not easy when you have teens) in their eyes for coming up with all the different varieties! Both kids are excited to be giving these as holiday gifts! Thanks again for sharing the recipe!
Sabrina, I love hearing your story…you are wise to catch the weight gain early in your marriage!
Did you get my email?
Nadine
Congrats on the weight loss. I too was on CK from 04-06. It is a great tool.
Great story. I love that you have always had such a healthy grasp on weight loss and body image. It’s so refreshing nowadays! (And I’ll forgive you for always putting candy in the McVinney’s bathroom so that the rest of us would get fat!) lol
Great post, Sabrina! It sounds as though you’re very self-knowing and wise when it comes to this stuff, even when it challenges you.
I love reading your story Sabrina. What am amazing accomplishment! I agree, once you move in with your significant other your eating habits tend to change and it’s hard to stick with lean dinner when you are cooking for two. I’m excited to read more about the dinners you make for you and Phillyboy.
I love the wedding photo of you- simply beautiful.
Thank you so much for sharing your story! And yes, I can totally relate too the wedding/working from home weight gain as I’m currently battling the 15 lbs I added post-marriage, while working at home!
Sabrina your story is sooo amazing and I love how you continued to whip up fun, tasty, exotic and healthy dishes through your whole engagement, move, lots of busy-ness!!! Your wedding looked absolutely beautiful and you just seem really happy 😀 Congrats on a great year and I can’t wait to see what’s next!
i loved reading your story & have to agree w/ mama pea – you really are stunning at any weight, though i know feeling happy at a certain weight is a good goal. just know you already are a hottie! 😀
I enjoyed reading your weightloss story. Drinking water first always works for me as well. Really enjoy your blog.
I found your blog through Janetha’s. I agree with everyone else you ARE BEAUTIFUL at every weight.
My husband and I (I’m a SAHM) work from home and it’s hard for me not to nibble all day long.
S0unds like we eat very similiar. I’m heading over to your recipe section right now!
Sarbrina –
I am new to the food blogging world and just came across your blog. I want you to know that I’m very moved by your story and appreciate you sharing it. I always love to here about other locals stories. I am from MA and went to school in RI!
Keep up the good work! Will be adding you to my blogroll!
you are gorgeous and your story is so inspirational! i love your blog and can’t wait to read more of it!
What a great story! And you look happy and beautiful no matter what your weight…look at your gorgeous smile in all of those photos!
Hey! thanks for stopping by. such a pleasure finding your blog! just joined calorie king today for the 400th time…
Hi Sabrina,
I was online looking for the Periodic Table 2010 for a project. I opened one of the sites and at the bottom of the screen came your website. The strawberries and all of the tabs to your site were taking up the bottom half of my screen. For the life of me I could not figure out how or what was this site and how did it relate to the Periodic Table. Intrigued I left my search and started reading your rhodeygrltests.com site. What a great find.
I am a firm believer that there are no accidents in life so for some reason I was supposed to read your blog.
I have fought my weight for most of my adult life. Long story short I am still riding the weight loss train. I have been on Jenny Craig (for the fourth time) now since January and have lost 3 lbs a month. Reading your story I am newly inspired to continue on this steady weight loss journey realizing once and for all, slow and steady is good. I am thrilled that the Periodic Table brought me to your story to inspire me to keep on doing what I am doing with a smile and positive outlook. I will send you my bathing suit picture when I get to my goal. Thanks dear lady for being my newly found Periodic Table. All good things, Janet
@Janet, Thank you so much for this comment. A search for the periodic table probably sent you here because I once painted a huge one on the back of my physics classroom in high school as a project.
Best of luck with your weight loss efforts- slow and steady is the way to go! Stay smiling, and don’t forget to send me that photo!!
Thanks again for stopping by- this comment made my night.
I’m just now reading this. This is a great story and you have made great strides in your weight loss journey. You know all the right things to do so I’m sure you’ll get back to you “pre wedding” weight in no time.
You look gorgeous in your wedding pictures!!
Hi
Sounds like I am at when you started.
5′ 7″ – 158 #
And my goal is about 140.
Thanks fro the frittata recipe info and have book-marked your site!!
Brooke
I loved your story, Sabrina. You truly looked beautiful throughout your entire weightloss process. You seem to have a glow that shines through from within. I completely understand just not feeling your best at a certain weight…kind of feeling uncomfortable in your own skin. I’m a work in progress myself. I’ve been 186lbs down to 90lbs. Now, I’m inbetween; although, I still have some work to do. I’ll be at the Healthy Living Summit and look forward to meeting you!
~Kim
@Kim @ Imperfectly Perfect, Thank you so much you are so sweet. I look forward to meeting you too!
Hi
How are you?
How many calories do you eat daily
(with / without exercise)
to maintain your weight at 140 pounds?
Thanks
@Brooke, I probably eat around 1800 calories without exercise and 2000+ with.. some days I eat more than others 🙂
Thanks for sharing your story! I’m in Philly too and just started a blog 🙂 I look forward to following yours!
I love reading your weight loss story. It really helps to connect with others in their journey to stay motivated. I have 20 more I really want off by the end of the year. You look great 🙂