WEIGHT PROGRESS
JUNE 2000
(140-145 Pounds)
That is me at my all time highest weight! I think I was around 140 pounds. This was in St. Lucia the summer before I started college. My whole childhood I felt overweight. My sister was always thinner than me even though we ate pretty similar. My mom was a bodybuilder and was super strict about her diet but I never knew how to eat like her. I ate tons of ice cream almost every night after dinner! I knew before college I had to do something because I had a fear of gaining the freshman 15 on top of my already heavy weight. Right before the trip in the picture, I decided to read the South Beach Diet book. I learned so many things about whole grains and healthy carbs. I knew I needed to make a change so I decided to do South Beach Diet full out.
I lost 7 pounds in the first 2 weeks! My body was in total shock because I did not eat healthy at all before the diet. I also stepped on the elliptical for the first time in my life. At first I could not even do 20 minutes. The more I did it, the longer I stayed on. The more weight I lost, the more exercise became an addiction
I entered college with a new knowledge of exercising and healthy eating. I ended up taking it a little too far. I always ate but got a little too strict with each meal. I remember making eggbeaters in the microwave for breakfast and eating a salad or turkey sandwich for lunch and dinner. I was still drinking tons of alcohol like a normal college student at least! I think I really lost the weight from over-exercising. This is me at one of my lowest points (on the right):
June 2004
(95-100 Pounds)
I got down to around 96 pounds. I did not even realize how skinny I got until my parents came to visit me one day. My mom got extremely upset when she saw me and told me I better do something to gain weight. I got super stressed out because I was overweight my whole life and had a fear of getting back to that. With the help of my friends, I was able to gain a few pounds. I did not do it in the healthiest way. I remember buying cartons of Cookies N’ Cream ice cream and eating half the container. I did whatever worked at the time though.
Once I got back to my healthy weight, I continued to exercise and eat healthy but learned how to balance everything out. I stayed at my healthy weight for the rest of college and enjoyed every minute of it.
I still struggle with the occasional overeating and getting upset if I gain a few pounds but overall I think I am at my perfect weight. Here is a recent picture of me:
(115-120 Pounds)
I have been at this weight for about 2 years now. This weight is my natural weight and as long as I continue to exercise and eat healthy, I will stay happy.
I hope you all enjoy my journey to stay fit, healthy, and happy!!
BEFORE AND AFTER!
Maintaining and finding that “healthy” weight is hard. I struggle every day. My history is up and down and over again. Getting back is the hard part. You look great! Thanks for sharing!
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I definitely know what you mean about those late night snacks! I used to do that and realized it was out of boredom or stress for me.
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Hi Missy! I just came across your site and so far, I love!
I especially love your ‘Missy Maintains’ logo and cute cartoon!! Where did you find such an adorable icon (or, perhaps design it yourself?!) Keep up the blogging~
Sue
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Hey, saw you in Shape! Getting lots of ideas for healthy meals from your pics…thanks!
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I also saw you in Shape! I’m enjoying reading all your posts!! Keep it up!
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Hey i saw your article in Shape and it was pretty inspiring for me. I am first year university student who is scared of gaining the freshman 15 because as it is i am already overweight! I hope your site will help support me in losing the extra 30 lbs i need to get off !
Congrats on meeting your goal of being healthy and happy
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Well done.h you all the best. I just saw you in Shape.
CHeers.
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Hi,
Saw you in Shape magazine, and was just curious about your website. Good idea, posting the pictures, the food looks yummy too! Seems like you have a healthy relationship with food, keep it up.
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You look uh-mazing!!! major props for losing and maintaining, girl
so I’ve just got to say that I’m super jealous that you work in New York! I’m down in the Philadelphia area, so maybe I’ll have to come up and visit you one of these days!
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First of all I just wanted to say that I saw your feature in Shape. Congrats on your healthy-weight journey. It’s a daily process but it can be done. After three years of up and down weight I have found my healthy weight and it’s nice to still ready motivating and inspirational stories.
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I saw you in SHAPE magazine ..you look great!! We have the same height so I saw myself looking 115 pounds. LOve your arms…!!! I weight 144 and I need to lose 30 pounds. Thank you for giving me hope!! Congratulations !!
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Saw this on Shape, awesome website idea, congrats on your goals!
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When I saw your blog featured in Shape Magazine it was like I was reading my story!! I was ALWAYS the overweight sister. I was always feeling bad about my weight. I finally did something about it and got way too skinny and then did something about that and have found my “happy weight”. Most days I feel fantastic about myself and my body, but I still battle the demons that tell me I should be a few pounds lighter or I should work out more. It can be a real struggle not to pass those thoughts off onto my daughters, but I feel like I’m really turning a corner and like where I’m headed!! You look great by the way!
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I found your blog through Megghan’s and I’m so glad I did! I’m so jealous you live in NYC.
cute blog, inspiration story. I’ll be following!
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Great story! You’ve done an amazing job at becoming and staying healthy. Keep it up!
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Thanks for sharing your story Missy. Our weight stories are just so similar – it’s crazy! My heaviest weight was also in high school at around 140. I lost about 20 lbs my freshman year and my current (healthy) weight is now 118-122.
I think you and I are long lost twins.
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Missy,
I love reading your blog. I first heard about you from the issue of Shape you were featured in. I am the same age as you, and am currently at what was your heaviest weight. Last year, I got a trainer and lost a ton of weight- I did it in a very healthy way, but when I couldn’t afford the trainer anymore, the weight came piling back on. Whenever anyone asks me what my goal weight is, I always say “120ish” and people look at me like I’m crazy. They tell me I would look anorexic at that weight. But you are living proof that a 25 year old who’s 5′4″ can look fantastic at 115!!!
I do what I can to workout as often as I can and eat healthfully; but I work in a breakfast restaurant, and while I’m working, I can have all the free food I want. Try saying no to chocolate chip pancakes everyday! HA!
I’ve tapped up your article in my bathroom for inspiration, and I’ve even started taking pictures of some of my meals as well. I also plan on moving to NYC in the fall!
Please keep doing what you’re doing and do whatever you have to do to stay motivated. It may be a long shot, but I’d love to meet you when I finally do get to the city!
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