Eight weeks? Not exactly.
In the spirit of our Body Change Challenge, we thought we’d check in on weight loss winners, Craig and Stephanie. …only, surprise-surprise, they don’t feel like they’ve declared victory at all. Because Craig and Stephanie have never been interested in short cuts, they’re now facing an even greater challenge: keeping the weight off. Here they speak honestly about this lifelong journey and why Craig’s doctor still wants him to steer clear of the white stuff.
Craig:
“I have lost a lot of weight. Perhaps not as much as the celebrated Jerod, but almost as much as he currently weighs. I’m also something of a numbers freak, and weigh myself on the Wii fit every day. One would expect that in the course of losing 160 pounds that I would have become wise in the ways of weight loss and appetite. Nothing could be further from the truth. I am still constantly baffled by the why’s and wherefore’s. I am also completely at a loss to understand my own relationship with food and appetite. I’ve been dieting for a little over three years now. It was prompted by my doctor diagnosing me with type 2 diabetes. That little jolt of reality shocked me into the realm of the dieter, and got me out of my sedentary lifestyle.
I started out on a low calorie diet. This is akin to starvation. Starvation is not fun. I would find myself in a pattern of staying strictly on it for a couple of weeks, and then finding some “special” occasion to pig out. That resulted in a cycle of feeling good about myself, and then ashamed of my lack of control when I let it go. I stuck with that for about two and a half years, losing about 140 pounds. At the suggestion of my sleep doctor, I started on the South Beach diet last October, 2008. This diet concentrates on foods with low glycemic index, and not so much on calories. To my amazement, I found that I was able to eat normal meals (albeit no bread, pasta, or other delicious carbs) while still losing weight even faster. It is a lot easier to stay on than the low calorie diet. However, I still find myself struggling to maintain a balance. I know it’s OK to have a piece of birthday cake on that special occasion, but I have a great deal of trouble not making that two (or more!) pieces.
A prime example happened over Christmas. Every year, we gather at my wife’s parents house for the best 2 weeks of the year. There are typically 20-30 people in the house at any moment. Of course, there is sugary food everywhere. Peanut brittle, chocolates, sheet cake with thick buttercream frosting, persimmon pudding abound. My attitude has always been that the reason I struggle through the rest of the year is so that I can enjoy myself during these special time. So, I let myself eat whatever I want. I was shocked and dismayed to discover that, over the course of those 10 days, I had gained 26 pounds! So, I’m back in the saddle. I’ve lost about 20 pounds of it again, and I’m still searching for that happy medium.”
-Craig
Stephanie:
“I have lost a lot of weight since joining the Ice Chamber back in July 2006. It wasn’t really my intention when I started. I had ALWAYS been overweight but also quite active. Craig and I joined the IC as Craig was working hard to change his life by losing the weight that was threatening his health. I was along for the ride but didn’t think there would be much weight loss in my future. I was very wrong. After about six months at the IC I really noticed that I too was losing weight and decided to give it more of an effort. I logged my food on FitDay. Loved all the charts and graphs. I started having a huge salad for lunch everyday (which I still have, the exact same one, everyday, and look forward to it–am I in a rut?) I cut out all sugar and bread. Because Craig was struggling with diabetes we had already cut out potatoes and rice and pasta. All I know is that it worked for me.
It’s been about a year and a half since I lost all the weight. I’ve kept it off fairly successfully. I still don’t know how to balance having just a bit of bread, or a bit of sugar. I’m trying to now. As many of you know, I work at the Cheeseboard and so it can be a real challenge. I have always allowed myself to try the cheese while at work. That has worked for me, adding the bread in is a little more problematic. It was easier for me to not allow myself any of it. And no, I don’t eat the pizza.
So that’s where I’m at right now. This is for the rest of my life and I’m trying to sort out how to find that balance. It ain’t easy, that much I know for sure.”
-Stephanie
You are both such an inspiration and I LOVE working out with you guys every morning. Keep up all of the good work!!
Craig and Stephanie, you both look awesome! Thanks for sharing your struggles and triumphs!
Stephanie and Craig, you guys are an inspiration to all of us. I have the utmost admiration and respect for what you both have accomplished.
KEEP IT UP!
Guys, you both represent everything that the IC is about – making lifelong changes. I really appreciate the honesty, sharing the ups and downs that we all grapple with. Steph – put me in front of a whole loaf of freshly baked olive bread and I’m practically frenetic! So, I think what I see you both do every day at the IC is the most important lesson, see the forest through the trees, get back out there and be strong people, which you are.
It’s always good to hear from you both. Like Kristin said, I too appreciate sharing the ups and downs- we’ve all got them! Keep up your great work.
Craig and Stephanie, thank you so much for sharing. I have not lost any weight during the fat loss challenge – and actually ate an entire loaf of olive bread on Sunday (Kristin, you are not the only one with a unique bay area addiction). I was feeling pretty low, but your post reminded me that maintaining good health and healthy eating habits are part of this journey called life. And maybe next time, I’ll only eat one slice.
Steph & Craig — you are both such studs. It’s been amazing to see and hear the story of your progress. You both kick butt at every workout which inspires me to push myself..pickup the heavy weights when I want to take it easy, etc. Thanks for that. You are living proof that steady effort and embracing the ups and downs is a sure path to success.
ps: double-kudos for giving up the Cheeseboard pizza. I haven’t been able (willing?) to do that…and I’m not there everyday. Now THAT’S willpower, Steph!
Though quiet and humble, make no mistake – these two perform at the highest levels of intensity and integrity. It’s no wonder that they always persevere despite mounting obstacles.
I heart Stephanie and Craig!
Steve got it right…quiet and humble. These two fly pretty low under the radar, but I’m always impressed at the intensity – and the consistency. Any time I’m there and don’t see Craig, I wonder what he’s sick with, since he almost never misses for another reason (okay, I guess there was an all-night cribbage tournament that one time…). Ditto Stephanie, on the days that she doesn’t have to get up EVEN EARLIER to go bake wonderful, yummy goodies for the rest of us.
I also have to admit that Steph is the exception that proves the rule…you know, the one that says women generally choose lighter weights than they should. Steph shames me into the big ones, just by her example. =)
I heart Steph and Craig too!! keep up the great work you guys
Jess
Steph, you’re the one who got me to the IC, and I’m still thanking you for it. You go.