Here I am 5 years later maintaining the majority of my weight loss! The time goes by pretty fast. Some days it feels like a struggle. Some days it feels easy. There are so many changes that I have made in my life that are permanent now that have helped me to do this.
My 100-pound rosebush is blooming again this year. I think it is so appropriate that it comes into bloom when I celebrate this milestone.
It’s been so long since I looked like this (or John looked like this):
While not at my lowest weight, I have stayed here for the last couple of years. I know there are some people who are where I am at right now and that is their starting point for weight loss, but it’s all relative.
You know what I really like about this picture? It makes me look tall! (Doesn’t it?) I’m 5′ 2”, so I will take whatever makes me look taller.
Sometimes I wish I had the super discipline it takes to get to what would be my goal weight. It’s very hard. It seems to be harder to lose now that I am 45 and have a sedentary job. Yeah, I bike a lot, but I eat back those calories and then sit at my job.
Activity is really a big part of my life now. It never used to be. Exercise was a chore until I found things I liked. Strength training shaped my body big time, too. Check out the difference between my shape above and 5 years ago.
I am heavier in the more recent picture – and yes, the clothing is a little more form fitting, but no Spanx or any kind of control shapewear underneath (in either picture). There was a major change with lifting. I cannot stress enough the importance of lifting the iron!! Cardio alone just doesn’t cut it.
Yes, I have loose skin, some flab and extra weight, but still the strength training had changed my body. I wish I had lifted heavier all along!
I do have to say that life is pretty good. I may never reach the magic number on the scale, but I know that doing that will not make me happy as I am already happy now. Weight loss (or gain) does not define me. I am just going to try to keep living a healthy lifestyle in a manner that I can sustain forever.
Thanks so much for sharing my little bit of the internets with me. I have met so many wonderful people through the blog that I consider friends and hope to meet a lot more of you in person!
If I ever find myself in NY, I’m looking you up Lori!
You look gorgeous – super curvy and with such a teeny, tiny waist. You know what’s really funny? I looked at the first picture of you and John and immediately thought “wow, she looked so short back then” … and then I kept reading and when I saw your comment saying the same thing, I laughed out loud. 🙂 Way to go – and thanks for inspiring those of us who need people like you that show us it CAN be done.
Thanks Ali – I hope we can meet up some time!
Awesome!!! Five years is amazing!! And needs to be celebrated!!! Thank you for your inspiration!!
Thank you!
Only 5 years? Seems like longer. Congrats, Sweetie!
Haha- I guess it seems longer because we are married?? Couldn’t do it without you and your support <3
You look like you’re in great shape! Loved the photos (both of you and the rose). What a differences between your “now” and your “before” photo! Your body is so much more well-defined now than it was even after weight loss 5 years ago–a testament to your active lifestyle. You are great, Lori! Thanks for sharing your journey.
The body certainly does change even after the weight loss slows. Thank you!
“I may never reach the magic number on the scale, but I know that doing that will not make me happy as I am already happy now.” You’ve unlocked the secret, and your thoughts on life are a pleasure to read. Well done, and congratulations–you look fab.
Thank you 😀
Five years of a major life change and you’re still going strong (and LOOKING strong, too!) – big congrats, Lori – I’d say you’re in it for the long haul!
I am a brute LOL!
Congratulations on 5 years! What a great accomplishment! I enjoy your blog SO much….keep up the great work.
You talked about sitting so much at work. I have the same problem and just got my company to spring for a standing desk for me. I won’t stand for 8 hrs a day, but try to stand for at least half the time. My keyboard & mouse(wireless) fit on it and the stand is on wheels so I can move it when I want to sit down.
Congrats again!
Lori
If I didn’t have a foot pedal to use, I would have a standing treadmill desk for sure. That’s my stumbling block.
Congratulations Lori, I love to follow your story, you are very inspiring 🙂 you’re a really nice person 🙂
Thank you Denise 😀
Lori, I know I’ve said this before, but I find you beyond inspirational. You have the best attitude, the strength to weather the ups and downs, you seem like such an amazing woman and I’m so happy to call you my blog friend!! Cheers to the next 5 years, then the 5 after that…and after that, and after that! Have a great day.
Thank you Roz!
I didn’t know we had a similar anniversary! I’ll be celebrating my 5 year anniversary of maintenance in August this year. 🙂
Congrats! You’ve done a fantastic job!
Yay for maintenance!
As one fellow blogger (friend) who HAS met you, I can vouch for the radiant part. You don’t have to find it – you already have. Your smile lights up a room! Congrats on the five years. You look great. Sure hope we are able spend some more time together IRL someday.
Thank you Sharon! I have no doubt our paths will cross in person again 😀
Congrats on maintaining! It’s a big deal! Your blog is truly inspiring to many in so many ways. Because I stumbled onto your blog one day years ago, I now bike (didn’t before), love to eat pancakes made with cottage cheese (who’d ever believe!) and consider you a friend even though we’ve never met. Just wanted to encourage you to continue your journey, along with blogging about it.
From one of those “lurkers” who consistently read but very rarely comment. Keep up the good work!
Yay – another biker! Cycling chicks are more rare 😀
Congratulations Lori! You look wonderful! I really need to do some strength training, seeing your hourglass figure has convinced me 🙂
Thank you Sandi. Lifting can do amazing things – and don’t be afraid to lift heavy (with progression)! 😀
Wow – amazing job on not just losing the weight and keeping it off but on becoming healthier!!
You look great!
And, heavy lifting is awesome for sure!
Thank you!
Congrats Lori! Just like Shelley – I wouldn’t have recognized either one of you at your heavy weights! My favorite line of the whole post?
“I am already happy now. . .” AMEN sista!
Thank you! My face does look different now. Only the eyes and the smile are the same 😀
Congrats on all your success. Your hard work has really paid off and serves as inspiration to all of us at different phases of our own weight loss. Thank you, also, for sharing your corner of the world. I especially like your scenery pics – can’t wait for my road trip to the Adirondacks!
Thank you!
You look amazing right now and you give me so much inspiration!
Thank you Linda!
5 years of maintenance is a huge accomplishment! I love the whole tone of this post and I especially love that you realized you are ALREADY HAPPY NOW 😀
Thanks Helen! Hope to get out your way later this summer!
Let me add my congratulations Lori!!! Woohoo!!! You go girl! You give us all
something to aspire to! Hugs! deb
Congratulations, Lori! There’s a lot of passion and commitment in this milestone–enough to carry you through the next 5 years, I’m sure!
Thanks Cammy – here’s hoping!
Congrats on your 5 year anniversary! I am also mainly a lurker, but I really enjoy your blog. Your positive attitudes, your steadfastness and your wonderful pictures make my day many a day! I am a mountain biker and I work out regularly with kettle bells so I feel we have multiple connections.
Thank you! I am going to be picking up a kettle bell pretty soon! 😀
That’s my daughter! I’m so proud of your accomplishments! Congratulations, Sweetie!
Thank you mom 😀
Lori, I love your blog, so appreciate all your postings. Love Pixie!! Thanks for sharing about how you do it, and John is a good sport to be included in the ongoing testimonial!! 🙂 I am also very impressed by your DIY and guitar playing and learning. Congrats!!!
John is always a very good sport 😀
Well you know now I will always tie your maintenance with my Birthday *smile*. Congrats on 5 yrs Lori, you look wonderful and you are wonderful!!!
Happy Birthday!
Lori! I’m so proud of you! The difference in your shape after lifting is very impressive. Its good to review what “was ” when we might not be appreciative of what we have now. Thanks for sharing honestly in this post and always.
Thank you Debby. You know I love the iron and wish more people would lift. It really can make huge changes.
Congratulations on 5 years!!! (and you actually look *younger* in the recent picture than in the one from 5 years ago! Can’t beat that!)
Thank you for saying I look younger! That’s always nice to hear, especially when I find grey hairs LOL!
Congratulations dear Lori!
You and John have come a long way and you both look great now. I think you look better in the recent photo than 5 years ago. You look great and healthy now.
I’m still so happy that I found your blog about 4 years ago and still read it and always with pleasure. Although we never met I consider us friends.
Here’s to many, many happy healthy radiance years.
I am glad you found my blog, too, Fran. I know someday we will get a chance to meet in person.
Congrats on a wonderful accomplishment! I’ve enjoyed reading your blog. Even though you’re at maintenance, your blog gives me inspiration to get started. Thanks!
You’re welcome!
HUGE HUGE HUGE HUGE CONGRATS!
you are amazing and shall always beat the odds.
xo
carla
I will try my hardest to beat the odds 😀
First, GORGEOUS rose bud!
Second, you look so good. I commend your endurance regarding fitness.
To some, being slim seems to be too easy and it’s not fair. But it’s
the folks that really set their mind to MINDFUL eating, feeling good,
and being fit that deserve the credit. Good job Lori. You really do
look fantastic.
It is a lot of work. It’s easy to think of giving up, but the alternative is not where I want to be again.
I love that rose as well. I love that it has not died yet 😀
Like Sharon said, having met you in person, I, too, can vouch for your radiance 🙂 Look at all you’ve accomplished, and that you have kept most of it off for five years puts you in an elite group. I know you do this for yourself, but your continuing story affects a LOT of people and I’m so very glad you’re still writing after all these years. Here’s to another five years of bike riding, bagels, and maintenance 🙂 You look fabulous, my dear!
Thanks Lynn – you are my inspiration!
Congrats on five years of radiance, Fancy Pants! 🙂 You look gorgeous in the picture and I love your tight waist and the cute shirt.
John seems to have lost a lot of weight too, did he aim for it or did it just come as collateral damage? 🙂
I’m also staring to become very besotted with strength training (even though my progress is pretty slow) – like I said in my blog I’m going to be fitter at 50 than at age 20!
John did lose on purpose. It wasn’t until later in my several years’ journey that he changed his lifestyle as well.
I think you’re awesome. I love the fact that you are not trying to be a “perfect size 2”. Maybe more of us would be more successful if we didn’t focus so much on what size we think we should be and focus more on how we feel. I remember when I went from 225 to 180. Now mind you 180 is still very overweight for me but I remember thinking…I could be this weight for the rest of my life and I would be ok with it! I felt great. now???? not so much back up to a little over 200 but learning and growing in some way every single day. Someday I will get it. Thanks in part to wonderful people like you who are willing to share their story. And speaking of that you made a comment in the beginning of this post “There are so many changes that I have made in my life that are permanent now that have helped me to do this” I was wondering if you would consider writing a post elaborating on some of those changes? I really love reading your blog as a fellow bike rider I love to hear about your rides. I’m sure my husband hates you lololol “Loris husband rides with her!” “Loris husband rode for lattes with her!” I’m pretty sure if he met you he would let the air out of your bike tires! lololol
I will have to do a post on the changes. Thanks for the idea 😀
Lori,
Congratulations for 5 years of living healthy. You look great, healthy, fit and happy. The best ingredients for life.
Lynn
Thanks Lynn!
Look at that tiny little waist you have! Congratulations on 5 years–I hope I get there too 🙂
Bigger hips = smaller looking waist LOL! I have no doubt you will make it, Katie
Lori,
Many, many congrats! Thank you, as always, for sharing your story and your life with us. I appreciate you.
My best wishes for the next 5!
Molly
Just the last few weeks after 2 years of working to get here today. I was thinking how will I feel about not seeing a dip in scale numbers…then log on and read this post. LOVED THE HAPPY…and I will too maintain happiness! Thank you Lori!
OH NO, I missed this yesterday & so sorry! I was sort of in a funk! 😉
I LOVE THIS LORI!!! I especially love how you talk to being happy with yourself & all you have accomplished even if it is not your lowest weight & that some people start where you are to lose. You are really an inspiration with all you have done & all you have learned & share with others.
I must say that you have the thought process right!!! I want to get to that point myself! 🙂
Hi Lori! Congratulations! I think 5 years proves that you have a good handle on it and you’re sticking with it. You and John both look so great!!!
🙂 Marion
WOW!!! 5 years!!! that is my goal, odds say most people will re-gain in 5 years all their weight!!! YOU BEAT THE ODDS!!!!!!!!!! wwwwwwwooooo hhhhhoooooo I am still a slave to the spanx… I always see that gross back bra roll… eeewww … I know I don’t need the spanx .. I think it is a more security thing..
You are so inspirational, Lori. Your attitude is amazing.
I tried heavier weight today in class … you’d be proud. lol 🙂