How Did You Do It?

Something I’ve been hearing a lot of lately goes a little like this:

“You’re looking good!” #awkward

Which is followed by either, “How are you feeling?” (Answer: I’m getting there)  OR “How did you do it?”

That usually results in a conversation about my eating habits over the last 12 months or so along with how things are progressing with my IIH.

But here’s the thing. I’ve battled with my weight most of my life. As an adult, I’ve been every size you can think of, from a 10 to an 18 . I’ve been on every diet you can think of and done more 12 week challenges than there are months in a year.  

I’ve sat in doctors offices trying to hold back the tears as they’ve told me to just go for longer walks and eat less food. I’ve put up with family members making cruel remarks about my appearance for as long as I can remember and had friends make comments that have left me gob smacked.

So when my Neurologist ever so gently told me that losing a few kilos might help reduce the swelling that was going on behind my eyes, my first thought was ‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’

I’d never been able to get a grip on this weight loss thing before and after discovering an under active thyroid was partly to blame – I’m fairly sure my love of cake and an intense dislike of cardio probably made up the remaining pieces of the weight loss puzzle – I walked out of the Neuro’s office throwing one hefty eye roll with a FFS chaser.

How Did You Do It?

Fast forward 12 months and I’m 23 kilos down.  

For the first time in my life I’ve actually done it.  

As for how I did it, well I could write a long winded blog post outlining everything I eat in a day, complete with recipes and links and blah blah blah. But that’s not how I did it.

I did it by doing something I’ve never done before – 

I put myself first.

I’m no expert and I’m only 12 months in but after years of struggling with my weight, putting myself first has been crucial in making my health story a successful one.

It hasn’t always been easy – change never is – but making myself a priority has definitely helped. Maybe putting yourself first every once in a while will help you too x

Have you made any big life changes lately? How did you do it?