Shrinking Myself
Last modified: April 3, 2010I originally posted my story very early on in my blogging “career”, and after reading dozens more inspiring posts, I made the decision that my story deserves its own page. I’ll update here and there, particularly at weight loss milestones.
I’ve often alluded to the fact that I’m on Weight Watchers and that I’ve lost 50 lbs so far on it… but I thought it was time to really tell you all my story. So many of you have shared your struggles with eating disorders, and it never ceases to amaze me the amount of strength and success you’ve all had… so here goes…
I was born small, 5 lbs 7 ounces to be exact, and I was a full-term healthy baby.
Just days old...
I always loved food, and was always adventurous in my tastes. I can remember being about 7 years old on a road trip and going to a nice restaurant. My sister at 4 ordered macaroni and cheese. I ordered a filet mignon, medium rare, and roasted vegetables. We always got to choose our birthday dinner, and my mom would make whatever it was we chose. For my 8th birthday, what did I choose? Steamed Asian sesame whitefish with sauteed spinach.
I distinctly remember the first time I tried to lose weight: I was 16, weighed 155 and desperately wanted to weigh 140, so I joined Weight Watchers. I lost 6 pounds and got bored. I stayed within the 155-160 range all through high school, and I remember always feeling “HUGE” compared to my friends. Looking back at pictures, I realize I was not “huge” but rather, healthy.
Senior Picture 1998
I went to college at Bradley University, and discovered the wonder that was midnight pizza delivery, $.99 baskets of fried things at the bars, and student discounts at all the local restaurants. Before I knew it, I was 190 lbs and wearing a size 16…
Fast forward… I met Adam December 17, 2004. I was 24, in my 2nd year teaching on the south side of Chicago, and was living in this ridiculously small apartment with a joke of a kitchen. I used that small kitchen as an excuse to eat out for nearly every meal. Adam and I would order in or go out each and every time we’d get together, and soon, our “dates” were from Friday evening until Monday morning. Once I got comfortable in our relationship, about 6 months in, I completely stopped “watching it” when it came to what I ate. Breakfasts were fast food, snacks were McDonalds hamburgers, dinners were stuffed pizzas… A friend sent me pictures from the summer, and while I didn’t like what I saw, I didn’t do anything about it.
Hawaiian Day at camp, 2005
Posing for a group shot, summer 2005
Next thing I knew, students were asking me when I was due, and my family was whispering behind my back. My mom said something to me around January and suggested I do something. It was right around then that I got these pictures back from being in my friend’s wedding.
At the rehearsal dinner
Adam and I at the wedding reception
Fast forward to March, 2006. One of my best friends (the one whose wedding pictures I posted, actually) told me about this new program that Weight Watchers had that didn’t involve counting Points® and I was intrigued. The very next Saturday at 11:30 a.m. I joined and started following the Core plan.
The Monday after joining WW
The weight started melting off once I stopped eating crap and started eating real, wholesome, and healthy foods. I lost my first 50 lbs within 7 months and then got stuck. The 2006-2007 school year was one of the worst years of my life… my grandma got sick and passed away, Adam got laid off due to working in the sub-prime mortgage industry, and then my position at my school got eliminated. I started a new job last fall (2007), and am finally comfortable in my new position. I’m hoping that blogging, job security, and getting married will kick me back into losing weight mode again… Here are some more recent pictures, just to show you all my progress, and to remind myself that, though I’m stuck, I’ve still lost 50 pounds!
Me and my BFF Lizz
At a wedding, Sept. 2007
RIGHT after we got engaged!
With my mom at a Cubs game
With my friend Ericka in Oregon
Our official engagement photo!
With the stress of wedding planning came a pause in the healthy eating. I started going for convenience over nutrition, and I swear I’m the only bride who GAINED weight before her wedding. As of now, I’m about 15 pounds heavier than I was when I started blogging, and about 25 heavier than my recent low. Our wedding was the happiest day of my life, hands down!
My weight had absolutely nothing to do with how wonderful the day was, nor anything with how our married life has been so far! I’m focusing on eating when I’m hungry, stopping when I’m satisfied, and making the right decisions food-wise… if I happen to lose weight in the process, great!
That’s my story so far… key words there being so far. I’m a work in progress and constantly working on making myself healthier.
I love that you shared this with us, Mara. You have an amazing story. Congrats!
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MARA I love your story! We are all works in progress and well even though I’ve heard pieces of your story along the way – I love your story! You are very inspiring and made me feel better on a day when I’ve been wallowing in self-pity.
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Wow- You look wonderful. Great job and love the website.
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Your engagement photo is beautiful!
And thanks for sharing your story. It’s awesome that you have lost, and kept off, those 50 lbs. It let’s you know that you ARE able to lose and weight and be successful. You’ll get to your healthy/happy weight, even if it takes some time.
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What an inspiration you are! And you look beautiful.
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I loved reading your story! I think you have a great attitude: I definitely have a hard time remembering how far I’ve come and tend to focus on the things I still need to “fix.” I love that engagement photo too—you guys are such a cute (and happy!) couple!
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Somehow I’ve missed this page. What a story! Your progress is amazing! I love how you made the commitment to change and just did it. You look fantastic!
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Mara, what an inspiration. I’ve been having a snoop around your site after reading your guest post at mizfitonline, what a great blog, can’t wait to read more
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What a great story. I can’t say enough about this story. You have such a wonderful attitude and I love how you see the glass half full. Seeing you smile in all your pictures says a lot about the person inside. How even at a large weight. You can clearly see, you love yourself, the people around you and most importantly you love life. No matter which way your journey takes you from here. I have a strong feeling… You will be successful and very happy.
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Mara, it’s been nice getting to know you while reading your blog. Found your link over at Miz’s blog and definitely adding you to my reader so I can keep up with your progress. I’m also in the Chicago burbs (NW, McHenry/Island Lake area). Where are you located?
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Mara,
I just started reading your blog and you are so inspirational. I hope to have the same dedication as you.
Thanks for sharing. I look forward to reading more.
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Thanks for sharing your incredible story! You have come SUCH a long way – the changes are amazing! I love the engagement photo.
I’m looking forward to reading more of your blog!
Kaneil, balanceisbest
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Mara, I’m so glad you’ve written up your story here! I feel privileged to know you online and get to share in your journey.
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Wow you’ve come so far! What a great achievement and you’re right – even when your stuck, you still achieved a huge weightloss! Maintaining is (in my mind) even harder, so well done for not gaining it all back (as often happens when life gets in the way…).
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I just stumbled across this site on accident and what a lovely inspiring story, You look wonderful, thanks for sharing your story.
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You don’t know me; we’ve never met. But you have inspired me, and I thought I would take the time to let you know.
Two years ago, I joined WW. I was a Corebie, and I regularly read the message boards. That’s where I saw posts from you. I hit a plateau, I was discouraged. I read some of your posts and I read your article in WW magazine, and you gave me hope.
I stuck with WW through the plateau because of you – and today I have lost 50 pounds and have kept it off for over a year now. Thank you for giving me the helping hand I needed.
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Lovely lovely!! I’m excited for your weight loss + new found love of whole foods + jazzercise!! You + Adam are a SUPER cute couple!!
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Wow! I am amazed! You look stunning! You truly are one gorgeous woman and I hope that you make your goal and the healthy eating habits become part of your married life!
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You look wonderful! Your official engagment photo is fantastic. Keep up the good work.
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You’re beautiful!! I love the engagement pic- it really shows the love.
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Hi Mara – thanks for being so honest with your story. I identify with it so much! Congrats on your loss so far. A friend of mine has been trying to convince me to go to Jazzercise with her but I think I would have a laughing fit throughout the entire thing.
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Wow great story, I can relate to a lot of what you say.
Congratulations on the weight loss, you look fab!! xx
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Mara, I’m new to your site! you are a superstar! Congrats with your progress! You are beautiful! If you ever want to celebrate or commiserate
I’m here
Annabel
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Mara,
Thanks so much for the comment on my blog, and for sharing your story! You have come so far! Congratulations! Oh and Go Cubs Go! It’s too bad they’re not having quite as good of a season as last year! I’m going to the June 13th game against the Twins!
Thanks again!
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I think you look beautiful in ALL the pics, but the last shot, your official engagement photo, is so good! You look very pretty…keep up the losing…you can do it! I’ve lost around 50 pounds and have kept it off for nearly five years now by attending TOPS meetings. Enjoy your blog!
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Hey — I just read this story, and wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS. I think keeping weight off says at least — if not more — than losing it. It’s inspiring.
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I’m new your blog & love it! Are you still doing WW?
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Hi Mara, I’m phoebe and I just started blogging.
Anyway, that is an amazing story! I love that you never gave up! You have changed so much! Also, your hair is gorgeous, especially in your engagement photo! Congrats on all your progress!
Pheebs
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WOW. That’s the most gorgeous engagement photo ever! No joke, I love it!!
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Mara,
I love your story, your excellent writing and your beauty. I will never forget the first time I saw you at Middleton school. I think you were in Kindergarten. You had a little fur coat on and you sparkled. You still do! (Sparkle, that is, I don’t know about the fur coat). Anyway. You are an inspirtation in weight loss and creativity! Best of luck to you!
Ann Carlson
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Thanks for sharing your story. I am currently doing weight watchers and I’m stuck..so I’m definitely coming here for some daily motivation!!
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Hi, I just found your blog. I have also lost over 50 lbs using WW!!! I used the online program and I did count points, but WW has taught me so much about portion control etc. I now do calorie counting, but I’m grateful to WW for starting me off. I have a blog and I also have some progress shots. Not as spectacular as yours, though
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Fantastic story. Thanks for sharing. Love your blog.
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You look great! Living in Chicago myself, I especially love the picture at the Cubs game!
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Hi there! I just read your story and let me say it has inspired me! Congratulations on all the weight you have lost and kept off. It’s not easy, but reading such stories makes me realize that I am a work in progress as well and that even if I don’t reach my goal right away I should still keep at it. Such life changes take time.
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Mara, I just read this story for the first time. I relate to it so much! It is definitely an inspiration. Thanks for sharing! btw I really like your new page design!
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Such an inspiring story! Keep at it, girl…I just know you’ll reach your goal =)
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Congratulations on all of your hard work. I know you can do it!
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Congratulations on your success! I just found out about your blog from your Peas and Thank you.
I look forward to reading your blog and trying your recipes, I too am a Weight Watcher member, I made lifetime 3 yrs ago, though it took me 5 years of being on and off the program to finally make it. I have lost 80 pounds, it was tough, but I feel so much better.
Have a great day,
Shannon
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Hi Mara!
I found your blog through Mama Pea’s and I LOVE it!! I was reading over your story and just wanted to say congratulations on your weight loss!! You should be so proud of who you are and where you are in your life. You are a beautiful person on the inside and out. I also happened to notice that you started Jazzercising last year and I was so excited because I am an instructor here in NC! I’m the same age as you (29 in April) and have been teaching for almost 9 years. I LOVE Jazzercise and am glad to see someone else spreading the word!
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This is so inspiring Mara! Congratulations on your 50 pound weight loss.
Your engagement photo is gorgeous!
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Thank you for sharing your story. Congratulations on your engagement!
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Hi!
I just came across your site and your story is so motivating! I had success as well with the core plan (I get tired counting points and never last more than a week) But for me I used the core plan as my “go to quick weight loss diet” so it became an excuse for to eat that extra burger b/c I could start up on the plan tomorrow and I would lose the weight fast. It’s a vicious cycle, but you have come so far! I can’t wait to read more of your blog, keep up the great work!
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I’m new to your site thanks for sharing your story! My husband and I have been eating super healthy stop by my blog sometime for a recipe or two :+)I can’t wait to look over yours!
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