About
Oct 20th, 2009 by MissyMaintains
Starting my blog has allowed me to make tons of friends, discover delicious, healthy food, and even get featured in SHAPE Magazine!
I also decided that I wanted to make a career out of helping others with health so I attended the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in 2010. I am now a Certified Holistic Health Coach at Melissa Dawn Wellness. If you are interested in a free 1 hour health history with me to discuss your health concerns and goals, please feel free to e-mail me at missymaintains@gmail.com. Hope you enjoy my blog!
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:
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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Thanks for sharing your story!! You look awesome
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I saw your article in Shape magazine (Australian version) so I decided to check out your blog – I’m glad I did! It got me motivated to get up and do something to get fit and lose weight, including setting up a blog of my own to track my progress & keep accountable!
It also introduced me to the awesome world of health & fitness blogs that I never knew existed.
So thank you and keep up the awesome work
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I just ran across your website today, and I want to say thank you for sharing your story! I had a similar experience in college, and it’s wonderful to find others online who have made it through the same challenges I faced… and come out better for it! Congrats on your healthy lifestyle, and I look forward to following you!
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Substantially, the post is really the sweetest on this precious topic. I suit in with your conclusions and will certainly eagerly look forward to your coming updates. Simply saying thanks definitely will not just be enough, for the fantastic lucidity in your writing. I can at once grab your rss feed to stay abreast of any updates. Genuine work and also much success in your business efforts!
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Totally easy to understand everything you explained.You are so articulate!Thanks man!
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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!
+1
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I can understand the stress of not wanting to gain too much and go back to being at a heavier weight. Absolutely can. It seem slike you really found great balance and you look awesome!
Congrats to you for maintaining for 2+ years. Good for you!
You look so happy and healthy
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I am about the same age as you and am always trying to find and maintain my “healthy weight.” I think it’s wonderful that you emphasize being healthy, not trying to look like the rail-thin models that have become the standard of beauty today. I found your “about” to be inspiring and encouraging to someone like me. Thank you so much for sharing your story and maintaining such a wonderful blog!
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Your story is inspiring. I saw you in Shape magazine! You look amazing! Glad I found your blog!
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WOW…what a great story! I loved reading it!
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I have the same issue with eating at night too! I eat so well during the day, and then in the evenings, I’m often tempted by the food in my cabinets. I totally understand how you feel! Congrats on your weight loss. You look awesome
and I’m sure you feel great.
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I really enjoyed reading your story. What kept you motivated? I have a harder time with food than exercise, but I am getting better. Glad to see the great results!
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Missy Maintains Reply:
August 3rd, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Thanks for reading! I stay motivated because I feel so much better about myself when I eat well and exercise. I am also more energized and never want to get back to how I used to feel before college!
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Hi,
I found your blog through Maggie at Maggie Walks. I enjoyed reading your story and can relate to some of it myself. I look forward to reading more of your blog
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Kimberly Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 9:06 pm
Oops–Maggie’s blog is Say Yes to Salad–used to be Maggie Walks I think.
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So awesome! Good for you. You look amazing (before AND after).
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I loved reading your story and your honesty about your challenge of overeating at night. That is exactly the place I am in now. For the last 8 mos, when I was losing the weight, I could easily go home, have dinner and be fine for the rest of the night, but lately it’s like I can’t stop snacking when I get home. Granted they are healthy snacks ( I stopped keeping junk food in the house altogether) but it is the quantity of of it that I am consuming that i feel like potentially counteracts all of my healthy eating during the day.
I hope I can wean myself off of this soon! I know you wrote your “about me” quite some time ago. Are you still struggling with this? If not, how did you finally overcome it?
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