My Weight Loss Story

 If you've been reading my blog or following me on Instagram (@MyGirlishWhims) you would know by now that for almost two years I've been on a weight loss journey.  My weight kept going up and up during college and post college life and finally at 23 years old I found myself weighing 246 pounds. I had just hit the "morbidly obese" BMI category I knew that SOMETHING had to change. What started as a desire to just get back to my "normal size" of fitting into size 12/14s again instead of 18/20s and getting to be a "comfortable" distance away from the 200 pound mark turned into a true passion for living a healthy and fit lifestyle. I passed 200 pounds, I passed 190 pounds, my size 12s got too big on me and just met my 100 POUND WEIGHT LOSS GOAL on my two year fitness anniversary.

At some point in this journey more and more people have started following along and asking me about how I've been successful in losing weight.  The easy and simple answer is that I cleaned up my eating by tracking my calories using My Fitness Pal, exercised daily, and decided to just NEVER give up no matter how many times I screwed up along the way. There is no secret to losing weight and I believe that everyone is capable of doing it with enough dedication and consistency.

Luckily I started blogging about this weight loss journey from the start.  I wanted to create a page on my blog to organize all of those posts and update as I write more.  I try to get back to as many people as I can who ask questions about the process, but sometimes it is hard! So I'm hoping this page would serve as a good starting point.

I also do have plans to write an E-Book about my journey at some point in the near future where I outline EVERYTHING I did along this journey, but that is still coming.  If you would like to be notified when I'm close to getting ready to release, email mygirlishwhims@gmail.com with subject line of "E-Book Wait List" and I will keep you posted!

For now though, if you are looking for more information about my journey I hope the following links will help!

First Year of Weight Loss - Monthly Posts

• Month 1: Down 11 Pounds
• Month 2: Down 16 Pounds
• Month 3: Down 24 Pounds
• Month 4: Down 30 Pounds
• Month 5: Down 38 Pounds
• Month 6: Down 41 Pounds
• Month 7: Down 47 Pounds
• Month 8: Down 52 Pounds
• Month 9: Down 57 Pounds
• Month 10: Down 65 Pounds
• Month 11: Down 70 Pounds
• Month 12 - Down 78 Pounds
• Month 13 - Down 82 Pounds
• Month 14 - Down 88 Pounds
• Month 16 - State of the Union of my Body 

 

Two Years and 100 Pounds Lost

Running Posts

• First 5k Race
• Second 5k Race
• First Half Marathon

Other Posts

• My Best Summer Yet: Enjoying Life After Weight Loss

Running the Philadelphia Half Marathon 2015

This past weekend I ran my very first half marathon!

 

 

 

I've been getting more and more into running lately, I know that it has been super helpful for me on my weight loss journey. I ran my first 5k back in February of this year and ever since then some of my other friends who run have been trying to get me to sign up for a half marathon.  At first I was really scared...I was like hold up.  I just did a 3 mile race and now you want me to sign up for a race with 10 more miles tacked on???? Hah.  But i've just kept on running and slowly increasing my distance the more I practiced and eventually this summer I had a 10 mile run which gave me enough confidence to sign up for a half marathon.

 

One of my friends who has ran marathons before and lives out in Pittsburg conviced me to sign up for the Philadelphia half marathon which she was planning on doing when she was in town for the Thanksgiving holiday.  The idea of having a friend there with me to run the same race was re-assuring, along with the fact that the Philadelphia Marathon course is well known for being fairly flat which I DEFINETLY wanted for my very first race!!!

 

I didn't really follow any specific training plan for the race, I just made sure I ran at least two times a week. I would do a long run on the weekend and a 5-6 mile run during one week day.  Sometimes I would run more but I workout everyday and do a lot of different cross training so as long as I got those two runs in I was happy. The end of this summer I made it to a 12 mile distance run which made me feel confident I was ready to do the distance, and I just worked on keeping my pace up after that.  I didn't have any huge goals for myself since it was my first race, I just really wanted to finish in under two hours which is less than about a 9 min 10 second mile.  I hovered around a 9 minute mile pace for my long runs for awhile...but then something hit these past two months and I've seen myself getting faster, averaging around an 8:45 pace on my last few long runs.

 

Well, I'm happy to report that I crushed my goal and finished in 1:53:17, about seven minutes to spare :D I averaged a 8:39/mile pace.

 

The whole race experience was amazing.  I've only ever done two small 5ks before so going to a BIG race was so much fun.  There were 30,000 people running in the race!!! Some did the half and some did the full marathon.  It was a little crazy getting down to the city for the race, I live about 45 minutes outside the city and the race started at 7AM so I woke up at 3:30AM that day to make sure I could eat breakfast, get ready and get down in the city to meet up with my friend and head over. 

 

 

Even though it was crazy early I was super awake and excited to just go and run.  I really wasn't nervous, I knew I had prepared well enough and I just wanted to show up and get it done! The event was packed and crazy...huge lines for security and the race got delayed a bit, but eventually we got to our corral and lined up ready to start!

I ran the first 1.5 miles with my friend and someone else she knew, but we both knew we had different paces so eventually I broke away and finished the rest on my own.  I ran with music on low with headphones because that's how I always run, but it was just SUCH a fun race to go through.  I'm used to looking at the same dang trees all the time on the trail that I run by my house so it was fun to actually run through the city and have things to look at! There were also tons of supporters out cheering us on and lots of funny sign.  At the fourth mile a group of people had a whole table set up and were giving out beers, water, gaterode and holding tissues boxes out for us to grab as we ran past.  I have no idea WHO would want to drink a beer at only 4 miles into a 13 mile or 26 mile race...especially because it was like 8AM haha.  But still, it was just so neat seeing how many people came out to support the runners by cheering and giving things out as well!

I was able to run for the entire race with no walking breaks.  There were only two hills on the course which I just powered through.  Honestly...I felt amazing during the race.  My body worked exactly like it should have and my legs just ran! My splits alternated between around 8:20-9 minutes and my last two miles I picked it up a bit and was close to 8 minute miles.  I was pushing myself but not too hard so I know if I run a race again I should (hopefully) be able to beat this time.

 

 It was amazing finishing. I crossed the finishline and got to high five the mayor of the city too!  And honestly, as soon as I crossed that finish line I decided I want to trian for a full marathon.  Sure it's daughting to think about adding 13 more miles on...but at this point, if I could finish 13 and feel great, why not try for more??? Sure, I felt miserable the next day (hah!) but I knew I could have pushed more miles out if I tried so that makes me want to set a new goal and try something bigger! No official plans yet for what marathon I will do...I just know I want to do one :)

I'm really really proud of myself for doing this race and I'm not ashamed to say it! It is so crazy for me to think how far I've come with running.  From being the big girl in high school who huffed around the track in embarrasement every year in gym class for our required mile run test...to being the girl who decided at 246 pounds she was capable of more than she was doing currently and decided to get up and just RUN. I've come a long way.  I started small and on the treadmill where it was easier.  Then I moved to outside runs and just ran for as long as I was capable and alternated walking...slowly but surely with enough practice I've gotten to a point where I truely feel like a RUNNER and I love this feeling!

Your Whims Wednesday #238 {And Features}

Time for another Your Whims Wednesday Party!

<center> <a href="http://www.mygirlishwhims.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77/Becca187/YWWsnip.jpg"/></a></center>

Here are some of my favorite from last week's party!

 Turkey Cookie Pops by My Thoughts, Ideas and Ramblings


Glittered Candles by Pink Heels Pink Truck

Baked Goat Cheese Roasted Cranberry Appetizer by Honey & Birch   Rustic Glam Jewelry Holders by Albion Gould   Mocha Mudslide Hot Chocolate by Lemons for Lulu   Thanks to all who linked up! Grab a button if you were featured :)    
<center> <a href="http://www.mygirlishwhims.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77/Becca187/featurededited.jpg"/></a></center>   Now... onto this weeks party!

I show off my girlish whims weekly on my blog, and now I want to see yours with 
Your Whims Wednesday!

Guidlines:

1. Link up as many projects as you would like: as long as it is one of your girly ways, you can link it! I'd love to see crafts, recipes, style posts, etc. Anything and everything feminine :)

2.Please add my button (code at the top of this post) to either your blog post or somewhere on your blog. 

3. Take a quick moment to comment on at least one other entry. We we all love comments!! 

4.I'd love if you would follow me as well :)

An InLinkz Link-up

Your Whims Wednesday #237 {And Features}

Time for another Your Whims Wednesday Party

<center> <a href="http://www.mygirlishwhims.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77/Becca187/YWWsnip.jpg"/></a></center>

Here are some of my favorite from last week's party!

The Darla Dresser by Thirty Eigth Street


Faux Gold Antiquing Technique by Just a Little Creativity


Fringe Earrings by Riva La Diva

Upcycled Globe by Simply Darrling

 Pumpkin Spice Sandwich Cookies by Sincerely, Mindy Thanks to all who linked up! Grab a button if you were featured :)    
<center> <a href="http://www.mygirlishwhims.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77/Becca187/featurededited.jpg"/></a></center>   Now... onto this weeks party!

I show off my girlish whims weekly on my blog, and now I want to see yours with 
Your Whims Wednesday!

Guidlines:

1. Link up as many projects as you would like: as long as it is one of your girly ways, you can link it! I'd love to see crafts, recipes, style posts, etc. Anything and everything feminine :)

2.Please add my button (code at the top of this post) to either your blog post or somewhere on your blog. 

3. Take a quick moment to comment on at least one other entry. We we all love comments!! 

4.I'd love if you would follow me as well :)

An InLinkz Link-up

Your Whims Wednesday #235 {And Features}

Time for another Your Whims Wednesday Party

<center> <a href="http://www.mygirlishwhims.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77/Becca187/YWWsnip.jpg"/></a></center>

Here are some of my favorite from last week's party!

Slow Cooker Spiced Mulled Wine by Delightful E Made

  Peanut Butter Cinnamon Roll Cake by A Simple Pantry   Autumn Chalkboard by Ella Claire Baked Brie Recipe by Atta Girl Says   Thanks to all who linked up! Grab a button if you were featured :)    
<center> <a href="http://www.mygirlishwhims.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77/Becca187/featurededited.jpg"/></a></center>   Now... onto this weeks party!

I show off my girlish whims weekly on my blog, and now I want to see yours with 
Your Whims Wednesday!

Guidlines:

1. Link up as many projects as you would like: as long as it is one of your girly ways, you can link it! I'd love to see crafts, recipes, style posts, etc. Anything and everything feminine :)

2.Please add my button (code at the top of this post) to either your blog post or somewhere on your blog. 

3. Take a quick moment to comment on at least one other entry. We we all love comments!! 

4.I'd love if you would follow me as well :)

An InLinkz Link-up