Onederland is that magical place that many people talk about when losing weight
A destination many of us are trying to get to
A little place called “Under 200 pounds”
All along the way I’ve set goals for myself
Big goals that were more like milestones
And then small goals in between
These are the major milestone goals I set for myself
- To get under 400 pounds
- 100 pounds lost
- To get under 300 pounds
- 200 pounds lost
- Onederland….to get under 200 pounds
- Goal weight
Now in between all those goals
I set mini-goals
Chipping away…10 pounds at a time
So 19 months ago, I started this journey
And today I stepped on the scale and it said this
I kept looking at it in disbelief
I just never really thought I’d see that number
I hit 200 pounds when I was pregnant with Savannah back in 1996
And I never saw the 100′s again
Savannah is turning 17 years old next month
It took me close to 17 years to get back under 200 pounds
But I did it!!
I’m going to admit that I never really thought I ‘d get this far
When you’ve failed as many times as I have at losing weight
I think it’s understandable why it would be hard to believe it could happen
For close to 20 years I’ve been trying to lose weight
Trying and failing
It is just exhausting to get your hopes up and fail again
It’s discouraging to never be successful at any diet you try
I’d lose some weight and gain it all back
I never was able to stick to any diet longer than about 4 months max
When I had weight loss surgery, I hoped I would lose 100 pounds
Sure I started this blog and set a goal weight
“300 Pounds Down”
It sounded good and was a nice little faraway fantasy
And yes–I felt sure I would lose some weight
How much I didn’t know
Just enough to be able to walk without significant pain would be nice, I thought
But deep down did I ever really believe I’d see Onederland?
I don’t think so
When I made it into the 200′s, I still struggled mentally to believe I was there
Savannah has pointed out to me numerous times that I always say I’m in the 300′s when I’m not
For example, when I was 223 I would tell her I’m 323
Just the other day I kept telling her I was 304 pounds
She kept saying “Mom you are in the 200′s not the 300′s”
Just this mental slip that would come out
I wonder if the same thing will happen now that I am in the 100′s
Today I went to Old Navy to try on clothes
I like to do this just to see where I’m at
I don’t buy them….I just try them on
Today I squeezed into a size 14
They didn’t fit because I had to break a sweat to get them on
I mean a full sweat!!!!
But I got them up, buttoned and zipped
They were very tight
BUT THEY WERE ON
And it’s like some strange surreal alternate fringe universe I’m living in
I started out around a size 36/38
Now I’m comfortably in a size 16
And you know what’s crazy?
My wedding dress was a size 16
So I’m now around the weight I was when I got married
That’s kind of nuts
And to think that in the coming months I will be in a size 14???
I remember being in high school and buying a size 14 pair of jeans
HIGH SCHOOL
How is this possible?
I’ve been thinking lately about what is different this time
What is it that has allowed me to keep going
Keep moving forward even when it seems bleak
Why after 20 years am I finally seeing progress?
And I realized that a key part of that
Has been learning to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7)
Because if there is ever a scripture that fits weight loss
It is THAT one!!
How many times do you do everything “right”
Eat within your calories
Work out
Check every box as “Mission Accomplished”
Only to see zero results?
Only to feel no progress?
It takes blind faith to keep going in those times
When the scale says you have lost no weight two weeks in a row
You have to walk by faith and not by sight
Not by what you see on the scale
Not by the feelings of discouragement rising within
You have to ignore your feelings
Ignore the scale
And choose to believe that your actions DO make a difference
No matter what it might look like in that moment
When you are slower than everyone else
When a 75 year old man passes you on the walking trail
When you’ve been working for over a year and still seem to be the weakest person in the class
Yes even then–you have to just say “WHO CARES!!”
And keep going
20 years of diet failures might look on the surface like the last word
How can someone who failed so many times find any level of success?
I’ve tried every single diet that I’ve ever heard of more than once
Read every book
Tried every pill
And ordered every late night infomercial product
And two decades in a row I just regained everything I lost
Plus more
But every time I screwed up, I thought the game was over
I let each mistake and failure define me
Now I know to keep pressing forward no matter what
And if I fail….to get back up
“Even though you fall seven times, God will help you to rise again” (Proverbs 24:16)
Why do we quit when we fail and screw up?
Why do we believe the lie that screwing up on our food means it’s over?
Or a week feeling depressed laying on the couch
Means we are losers who can never U-Turn our lives into victory?
So we aren’t perfect
We were never meant to be
And in those moments of self defeat
I know that I cannot pull myself out of it
I cannot break a binge mode
I cannot muster up the motivation to go to the gym
But GOD can!
And each time I ask Him to help me
He shows up!
Sometimes I must wait
And suffer through a slump
Sometimes I have to be patient
Keep knocking on His door and saying “Help!!”
But in the end, He will deliver me
And help me rise again!
If I just refuse to lose hope
He proves His promises are true!
That He will complete in me the good work that he started 19 months ago (Phillipians 1:6)
Don’t feel condemned or judged by anyone or anything
I screw up all the time
More times than I can count
I do things that are wrong even when I know what is right
And in spite of all that…God keeps giving me mercy and grace
And a new day to start fresh!
Forget the past and know your future
We are more than Conquerors..
We are Overcomers!
Getting to Onederland has been the trip of a lifetime
But the most important thing I’ve learned along the way
Has nothing to do with the food I eat
Or the workouts I do
The most important thing I’ve learned
Is very simply this
Don’t Give Up
{ 66 comments… read them below or add one }
Hooray!!!
Congratulations on getting to this point. It’s a huge accomplishment and again I say – you are an inspiration.
Mari recently posted..Wordless Wednesday
WOW! What an adventure you have been through. Your story is extremely inspiring. Good luck at reaching your goal.
A huge congratulations! Having literally just posted my starting photo’s today, reading this has made me feel so incredibly optimistic. Keep up the amazing work!
Rylie Ellen recently posted..The Before Photos
You are truly truly an inspiration. You fought the good fight of faith. You are a true warrior!!! I too had a problem getting to onederland but after 3 months of hard work i finally got there. I still have 40lbs to go to reach my goal and every time i wNt to give up i hear stories like yours. Thank you! Oh and p.s. old navy clothes run small. I wear a 14 at most department stores and clothing shops but when i go to oldnavy i have to get a 16 which depresses me. Try going to a store that has a real size 14
I agree with that opinion about Old Navy clothes running a little small. Try a 14 at another store–bet it will fit easily!!!
Pam recently posted..Addiction
This is just beautiful. Brought me to tears. Thank you for sharing!
Joonbug recently posted.."Next Interval, 4 Minutes Steady!"
Amazing. I left onderland in 6th grade. I plan to get back there as an adult. You inspire me so much. Heartfelt congratulations too you!
“How many times do you do everything “right”…Eat within your calories…Work out…Check every box as “Mission Accomplished”…Only to see zero results?…Only to feel no progress?…It takes blind faith to keep going in those times…”
Wow. You have me in tears. This describes me lately. Even though I’ve lost a little over 100 lbs, I am still not even halfway there yet. And I’ve been stuck so long, it’s difficult to fight off discouragement. So thank you so much for reminding me to hold fast to God’s promises. That He IS faithful. To not go by how I feel, but to just do the right things even when I don’t see results. Thank you very very much.
Congratulations Holly! That is fantastic! So thrilled for your results & inspired by your tenacity and faith! Wishing you continued success!!
Julie recently posted..Looking Forward To Learning!
Just Onederful:)
Marc recently posted..Green Juice meal replacement once a day
So extremely excited for you-high five!
Now go grab a kid and ask them to give you a big hug from Karin
since I can’t do it in person!
love,
k
Congrats, that is incredible! Your story is very inspiring. Even having to lose close to 100 pounds is daunting, but you have done so much more. Clearly, it can be done!
Cat B recently posted..Damn You, Diet Ginger Ale! Why Hath You Forsaken Me?!
Rejoicing with you!! I didn’t realize this was
so close!
Funny how you get 300′s mixed up with
200′s….glad your dd sets ya straight.
Hurray!!!
Chrissy
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!! Thats amazing!!! Youre such an inspiration!
Debby H recently posted..Homemade Larabars
I stumbled upon your blog when searching for weightloss blogs. Your story really touched a chord. Its incredible, this journey of yours. I sat reading your old posts for hours. You are inspirational.
Congratulations on reaching the ‘onderland’ milestone
I absolutely love your blog. You are a true inspiration to many. I am closing in on my onederland,as well and I truly can’t wait. So very proud of you and thank you for giving me the extra push to do more with every word you write!!
Holly I am so proud of you!!!!! What a happy moment for you! It gives me hope that one day I will reach onderland
. I have never read the bible but some of the quotes you used hold true to your journey. Thanks for sharing this wonderful moment!
OMgosh — how wonderful, congratulations. And how much sweeter after 20 years of not so much diet failures, but diet trials
You’re rockin’ this journey.
tz recently posted..and my cholesterol is up? WHAAT?
Congratulations its a huge milestone for you! I cant wait to experience it myself. I was looking at your pictures on the side of before and after. I cant believe how much younger you look now. Your so pretty
Keep up good work.
Sarah recently posted..#13in13 January Summary
WOO HOO HOLLY!! Welcome to One-derland!!
Linda Kuil recently posted..Where Was I?
Sooooo Excited for you!!! yay! Sooo awesome! You have worked soo hard and I am super duper proud of you!
You are so inspiring!! Thanks so much for allowing God to use you in such an awesome way!! And congrats on making it to Onderland!!!
You hit the nail on the head. Don’t give up. If we won’t quit, we can’t lose. We WILL win. I needed some encouragement this morning. Thanks for that! Keep going. You’re winning!
Michele Moore recently posted..I’m Pregnant!
Such wonderful or I should say “onederful” news. I am so happy for you. You are amazing, and inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing your progress with everyone.
The good lord is always with us no matter what.
May he continue to always bless you and your family.
annamarie recently posted..Spoiling myself a little
I posted on your FB page, but when I read this yesterday (via phone) I totally jumped up and did the happy dance for you. You are such an inspiration (I say that all the time but it is true). Congrats to you!!
Lee Ann recently posted..To Err is Human
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Look where dedication, hard-work and whole lotta faith can get you. Awesome news Holly!
Sheila recently posted..Is it Easier to Eat Your Way Thin?
YAY!!!! congratulations! so happy for you Holly!
So thrilled for you Holly. As I told you, ONE-derland, to me, was a return to normalcy. I had not seen the 100′s come up on my scale for over 30 years, and just like you, the day the scale hit 199.8, I took a picture. It was a HUGE interim goal, the BIGGEST one I had–determined to get there before my 60th birthday. I made it two months early, and that day was almost as big as the day I hit my REAL goal.
Like you, I have wondered what made THIS time different. You decided it was the faith you possess in vast quantities. Maybe I have more faith than I know?
Pam recently posted..Addiction
Holly,
I read this last night on my phone and couldn’t wait to log in today to comment. I’m so excited for you!! This journey is not an easy one…but you are doing it everyday by the grace of God and the support of your family. You are truly and inspiration. This post has given me the kick in the pants I needed. I’ll see you in onederland soon darling.
Keep up the great work!!!
Dawnya recently posted..Jumping rope
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I don’t even know you and wish I could give you a giant hug right now!! Wow… that is fantastic. You go, girl!! WOO HOO!
So so wonderful! Not just getting to onederland, but stopping along the way to really think about HOW you got here!! Congrats!
Adelyn recently posted..Rebooting
Hi!
Congratulations goes out to you! I have been reading your blog for about 8 months now and live in Canada.
I have been struggling with weight for over 10 years and when I turn on the computer and read your posts I get a lot of inspiration from what you write. So many things you have felt are exactly how I feel in life.
I prayed each week at church for 6 months for the courage to believe in faith and to have faith. I woke up on New Years Day this year and it was like a light switch went off – my journey started. In 4 weeks I have done what I never thought was possible and believe I am on a more positive road and cannot wait to hit Onederland some day again.
Thank you for sharing with the world all your trials and tribulations – you are truly a motivation Holly.
Thank you thank you!
Way to go Holly, I am so happy for you. Thank you for posting that song it really meant a lot to me when I listened to it. So proud of you.
NIIIICE!!!! Isn’t Onederland a great place to be?!
Congrats!!
How amazing for you! I am so happy to see that.
Amanda recently posted..and the snow may devour us all
Congratulations!!! I am so happy for you!! All of your dedication, hard work, perseverance, faith, and positive attitude have paid off and continue to pay off. I was watching your weight ticker closely as it was moving closer and closer to Onederland and getting really excited for you to get below 200 pounds. And you did it!!
You really give me hope that I can get there too! After starting out at 353 pounds, losing 100 pounds since my WLS and 125.5 pounds total, I still have about 28 pounds to go to make it to Onederland. Your success is giving me more motivation that I can get there. Thanks, Holly!!
AMAZING!!!!!!!!! CONGRATS ON ONEDERLAND!!!
Kelliann recently posted..Deadlines are looming…
So incredibly happy for you!!!
Congratulations!!!! I am so very happy for you!!!!!!
It really is a great feeling! I had a goal of losing 50 pounds before I was in my brother’s wedding (I had 10 months to lose it) and I stepped on the scale to see 199 the day before the wedding. It was an AMAZING feeling!!!!
Lisa recently posted..Maintenance 101: Beware of Food Creep
I know we don’t know each other personally, but I am so proud of you. I am so incredibly happy for you. You have gone through so much on your journey and I love that you never give up. Keep at it! You are doing amazing!
You have been such an inspiration to me through my journey. I ready every blog you post. You inspire me not to give up, including on other stuff besides weight loss. Thank you for sharing your life with us in this blog. It has meant the world to me.
Angela
Congratulations, Holly! You are an inspiration!
Wow, congrats! Welcome to Onderland. What an awesome feeling! I sure hope you treat yourself to a pedicure or a new pair of jeans. You certainly deserve it.
Ve recently posted..So Far, So Good
Congratulations Holly! You are truly an inspiration. Your blog means so much to me. Looking forward to the day you reach goal!
GREAT JOB!!
I am so happy for you! I will be there one day…been trying to get back under 200 for 19 years now, ever since my daughter was born.
Keep up the great work~!~
Terrific! Fabulous, amazing tenacity! God Is SO GREAT, isn’t HE!
Keep up the awesome work and thank you for inspiring us all!
Lisa
Congrats!!! So happy for you!
Funny, I make the same mistake about the numbers. I’ll often think I’m 194 instead of 164, because the 190′s were so familar to me for so long!
In fact my hubby told me he weighs 190 and for a minute I thought we were at the same weight! Funny how the brain does that to us.
Congrats on another wonderful milestone in your life!
Ronda recently posted..New Food Friday #4, a tad late
WHOO HOOOO!!! Yeah, Holly! I am so happy for you!
Congrats. It’s such a rush to see that one. So happy for you!
Sandy recently posted..Keep Calm & Carry On
Congratulations!!! You’ve made me cry….again.
Holly! It seems I log in and get WOWed every time.
Congratulations, my friend, I am so so so proud of you for reaching this incredible milestone. I never doubted for one second that you would make it here (and I have never doubted that you will reach your ultimate goal). You are a stunning woman inside and out and I love reading these posts (even when I’m out of the loop for so long) and seeing your photos. You are an inspiration and I truly hope that I see your story in book form one day because I will so be buying it. 
Much love!
~Faith~
Wow, so exciting! You inspired me to become more healthy. I started walking with a friend and using My Fitness Pal to track calories. So far I have lost at least 12 pounds. I’m not sure because I didn’t weigh when I first started. Using My Fitness Pal help so much. I was amazed when I started tracking calories how many calories were in the foods I was eating. I have been eating more whole foods and cutting processed foods and sugar. Feel so much better.
CONGRATULATIONS!! That is so awesome. What a journey you have been on. You really are an inspiration.
Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking recently posted..Really Good Better For You Banana Bread
A big congratulations! Thank you for sharing your road. It has helped me tremendously. Besos from Spain (soon moving to Texas).
kati recently posted..Pets
I am so so so very proud of you Holly!!
Kelly @CurvyFitGirl recently posted..Mas Update.
Oh, Holly. I am so, so freaking, fantastically happy for you! I remember the feeling of hitting that in 2011…and now I’ve creeped back up over it. BUT. Here you are, being the most amazingly inspirational woman, reminding me why that’s okay, and why I will work harder to see it again…very soon. I love you for that…for how you take care of yourself, and put yourself out there for all of us to cheer. Thank you for letting us be a part of this journey!
AimeeWrites recently posted..So, January’s Almost Over
Congratulations on Onderland! I’m back in the 200s after a fairly brief stay (a year or so). It’s been about 20 years since I’ve seen the 100s too.
Julie
http://halfajulie.blogspot.com
Julie recently posted..Being content
Wow this post really spoke to me! It’s so so very true! I have spent the last 9 years trying to lose weight and failing. I always need to remind myself to keep pushing forward no matter what.
Congratulations!!!! Well done! So proud of you!
Congrats at reaching Onderland! I am 32 pounds away and was joking with a friend of mine that I will have a parade to celebrate! Holly I have been reading your blog since before my WLS and every time I read it, you just give me so much inspiration. Thank you.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
I am a bit jealous, although I know I shouldn’t be.
Wendie recently posted..Complacent
I have been out of town but I saw this and had to comment and say CONGRATS! I can only imagine how exciting this is for you! I have been to Onderland just last year, but I have never worked so hard or lost so much to get there. So happy for you, Holly. Yay!
Staci recently posted..There’s No Place Like Home
Congratulations!!!! I was so excited when I saw the picture that shows on the home page!! You WILL continue to meet more and more goals!!
Last summer I bought a granola bar at a fundraiser for something, I don’t even remember what it was for. Anyway, all the items had some kind of “fortune”, similar to fortune cookies. The slip that was in mine said: “Nobody said it would be easy; they said it would be worth it”. I was in the next to last semester of college at the time, at the age of 50, and I kept that little paper to remind me that it would be worth it when I was done! I hope that you know that even though your journey has been the farthest thing from easy that it has been and will continue to be worth it!!
WOOOHHOOOOOOO!!!!! I am SO excited and happy for you!! Your blog touches so many of us, and inspires us, and I can’t express how happy I was to see you get this AWESOME reward. You’ve worked so hard, and you’re an inspiration to me. I’ve been stalled lately, and feeling grumpy that all my hard work isn’t being rewarded by lower numbers on the scale, and your post was just exactly what I needed today. I’m so grateful for your blog!
Hugs,
Beth
Congratulations girl! It’s been a pleasure following your journey. I have found myself saying/thinking “274″ instead of ” 247″. lol these brains of ours!
EmDub @ Faster in Water recently posted..J/K. My motivation was just hibernating.