Believing In Myself
Katyfink was no stranger to trying to lose weight, but she had never been very successful until she discovered her own “inner” motivation and with the help of Calorie Count’s tools, she’s lost an amazing 95lbs. Her weight loss was accomplished with persistence, discipline, and adding exercise.
She contacted us through our Share Your Story feature and provided the following answers to our questionnaire.
1. What prompted you to begin this weight loss journey? Did you have an
"Aha!" moment?
My friends and I have done a "biggest loser" competition around November each year. We would all end up giving up and never sticking to our plans. This time I really motivated myself and did it once and for all.
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?
I tried weight loss pills but they always made me feel sick. I would think not eating would help me lose weight but it never did and I would continue to eat all the time.
3. Please describe how you reached your weight loss goal. What changes did you make to your usual diet, activity, lifestyle, and attitude? Did you implement any other strategies besides Calorie Count? What was the most important change?
I made it a point to make it to the gym during any free time I had. I started out slow on the elliptical and would only walk at a fast pace on the treadmill. I now can run for miles on the treadmill and outside. I changed my entire diet. I substitute equal for sugar in my coffee, I also eliminated adding cream to my coffee at all. I NEVER eat fast food anymore. I love baking so that is my main weakness, but when I indulge in anything I bake I make sure I get right back on track. I read all labels and keep track of my calories, fat and sodium intake. I also drink alot of water.
4. Please describe how Calorie Count was instrumental to your weight loss.
I logged my weight from when I began dieting and once I started seeing results in my weight loss I was so much more motivated. I also look up food contents constantly which really helps me make mindful food decisions. I can also keep track of what my diet is lacking or surplusing in.
5. What difficulties did you experience losing weight?
It was so difficult to stay on track, I'd be super tired some days but I would make it a point to get in the gym even if it was for 45 minutes. Eating healthy is very difficult since everyone around me eats whatever they want. I like to bring apples, microwave healthy soup, and salads with me for lunches so I am not tempted.
6. How long did it take you to see results? When did you realize that you were a success?
I started seeing results in the first couple weeks. I realized I was a success once my great grandmother didn't even recognize me. I walked up to her after not seeing her for nearly 5 months and she thought I was a stranger. I had lost 50 pounds at that point.
7. How do you prevent relapse?
I cheat now and then so I do not feel deprived of foods I enjoy. As long as you stick to exercising and eating healthy the majority of the time your weight can be maintained, at least it has for me.
8. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
I have a new love in my life since my weight loss. I get so much attention from the opposite sex. Men were only attracted to my personality before but now I have looks too! I have so much more energy, I am able to stay up later at night and make it through the day without feeling fatigued. I feel a whole lot better about myself. I can fit into so many more clothes and don't feel depressed when I need to find something to wear.
9. How long have you maintained your current weight?
I've been at this weight for approximately 3 months.
10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?
- Realize that losing and maintaining weight loss is not easy, you have to be up for the challenge.
- Do not give up; your motivation will come once you start seeing results.
- Share your weight loss with a friend or family member so they can encourage you and help you if you are struggling.
- Research foods and exercises so you know what is good and bad for you.
- Read success stories about other people for motivation.
If you would like us to feature your success story, you can submit it here. The most insightful stories will be featured on this blog and in the weekly "Success Stories" newsletter.
Comments
Way to find the motivation! That's a key that most people don't find!
Awesome results!
Chris
(link to my story and 130lb loss blog in my profile)
Great job. You are lovely. Thanks for taking the time to post your story. Your story is quite motivational and exactly what I needed to read this morning. Off I go to do my walk/jog!
totally hot! Congrats on all the hard work and have fun being healthy and (even more) beautiful! -shell
Reading your success story has motivated me. Congratulations on your success. You look awesome.
you look terrific good for you that took alot of self discipline. i am going to show this to my daughter who has the same problem junk food she is now trying to lose weight she is 275 and wants to lose 100lbs i think showing her someone has done it will help alot. keep up the good work you look terrific.
I am so inspired!! And you are beautiful! But what's inside you is even more beautiful, because from there is where you found what you needed to reach this incredible goal. I wish you all the best in maintaining!
Super job, Katyfink! You look amazing and your smile says it all! Congrats and stay healthy!!
Wow, you have done A-mazing and such an inspiration too. Thank you so so much for sharing your story!!
I'M JUST GETTING STARTED ON MY WAY TO A HEALTHY WAY OF LIVING, SO THANKS FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT TO STAY ON TRACK
Great job, you look incredible! And what an inspiring story. :)
Thank you for posting, I have been following Calorie Counter for a little over a month and have lost 22 pounds, I need to lose a total of 200 pounds, so my loss is a minute amount needed. I went to a social event on Saturday in pants that I have not worn for a couple of years because they did not fit me. I had a small inner part of me that wanted people to notice, but when I saw pictures of myself taken at the event I was able to see why people did not say anything. It was very disappointing. I used Sunday to redirect myself back to why I am losing, I am doing it for me and not for the comments from others, even though I am waiting for the time when I lose enough to have people notice. Your story today, on Monday, only reinforces my motivation. It came at a time when I needed that extra push, since this is the point in the past I would have stopped. Thank you so much.
You look great! Congrats! I will keep coming back to read your story for motivation!
You look wonderful and happy. I'm so glad for you. You're truly an inspiration.
You might think about switching from aspartame (Equal, et al) to a healthier sweetener like Xylitol or stevia.
You're amazing.
This is such a huge accomplishment! I know this because I have fought the weight battle too. You must feel so great! Your story is very inspiring. You should be very proud of yourself. Nice work! It really isn't so bad once you commit and have a good plan and stick to it. I like the part where you cheat a little because that is what helped me too. I like to stick to my healthier eating Monday through Friday then do what I want on the weekends. Anyway it is about whatever works for you. You look great and I would imagine you feel real good too. High Five!!! :)
Oh....I switched to stevia its not bad. I was going for lowering my cravings and my blood sugar. Stevia is a win win in my book. If you are in need of more fiber...I put 1/3 cup of bran buds in my yogurt every morning..I am noticing a decrease in my food cravings big time...which in turn is allowing me to lose some weight :) 
You look great, and I am sure you feel great too. It shows what you can do when you believe in yourself. I love seeing the big weight loss as it inspires me. I have lost 40lb so far but still need to lose another 80lb and it really helps me to read about people who have done it, especially after years of trying and not succeeding. This is the time for success!
Original Post by: btlindaThank you for posting, I have been following Calorie Counter for a little over a month and have lost 22 pounds, I need to lose a total of 200 pounds, so my loss is a minute amount needed. I went to a social event on Saturday in pants that I have not worn for a couple of years because they did not fit me. I had a small inner part of me that wanted people to notice, but when I saw pictures of myself taken at the event I was able to see why people did not say anything. It was very disappointing. I used Sunday to redirect myself back to why I am losing, I am doing it for me and not for the comments from others, even though I am waiting for the time when I lose enough to have people notice. Your story today, on Monday, only reinforces my motivation. It came at a time when I needed that extra push, since this is the point in the past I would have stopped. Thank you so much.
This brought tears to me eyes. I'm glad my story is motivational to you. I will look forward to the day that your story is on here!!! good luck and stay focused!!!
WOW, I am so inspired by your story. Very uplifiting. What would you say you did very first to get started....food or exercise or did you start both right off the bat? What is a typical day for meals look like for you? Just curious.
You are beautiful, I hope to someday lose that much and feel as good as you do.
Original Post by: mojosmileWOW, I am so inspired by your story. Very uplifiting. What would you say you did very first to get started....food or exercise or did you start both right off the bat? What is a typical day for meals look like for you? Just curious.
You are beautiful, I hope to someday lose that much and feel as good as you do.
i did both right away. i started eating things that I thought were healthy and were not until i looked them up on here. i started exercising slowly and built up strength and stamina to work out harder now. I always eat breakfast lunch and dinner around the same time daily. For breakfast I usually do a fiber one yogurt, an apple, hardboiled eggs, slice of toast with peanut butter. Lunch I usually do a salad with a light dressing like raspberry vinegarette, or soup, or steamed veggies. Dinner I like fish so salmon, tilapia, soup, steamed veggies, chicken breast, boca burgers...i wish you the best of luck!
Original Post by: btlindaThank you for posting, I have been following Calorie Counter for a little over a month and have lost 22 pounds, I need to lose a total of 200 pounds, so my loss is a minute amount needed. I went to a social event on Saturday in pants that I have not worn for a couple of years because they did not fit me. I had a small inner part of me that wanted people to notice, but when I saw pictures of myself taken at the event I was able to see why people did not say anything. It was very disappointing. I used Sunday to redirect myself back to why I am losing, I am doing it for me and not for the comments from others, even though I am waiting for the time when I lose enough to have people notice. Your story today, on Monday, only reinforces my motivation. It came at a time when I needed that extra push, since this is the point in the past I would have stopped. Thank you so much.
I had the same thing happen to me last September. I had been dieting for about 6 weeks and I had lost over 15 pounds. I thought I looked so different, but I saw a photo and realized I felt thinner but it didn't really show as much as I thought. I hung in there and pretty soon, people started to notice a difference. By Christmas, my co-workers saw a dramatic difference (I had lost 35 pounds by then) and it has been going great ever since. When it happens, you will be surprised and you will be encourged to continue. One by one, the days will pass and one by one, the pounds will drop until you reach your goal. Hang in there!
Katyfink you have done an amazing job! Your lovely smile says it all: you look happier and healthier and beautiful! Thank you for sharing your story...
Original Post by: hobbbsKatyfink you have done an amazing job! Your lovely smile says it all: you look happier and healthier and beautiful! Thank you for sharing your story...
Thank you so much!!! I am so much happier and way healthier!! the positive feedback means alot!!!
Really, reading these stories is what keeps me going. You look amazing (you looked great before, btw) and so happy!
I will think of you tomorrow when I go jogging, and it won't be so bad!
You look so happy and you did it the healthy way. GREAT JOB!
I am so inspired by this story! I want to certainly keep going so that I can be an example for someone else. Thanks so much for sharing your story dear!
I loved when you said "I cheat now and then so I do not feel deprived of foods I enjoy. As long as you stick to exercising and eating healthy the majority of the time your weight can be maintained, at least it has for me", That's a very realistic thought, we can not be dieting forever! Congratulatios!
Congratulations on achieving your goals! I have a similar goal (90 lbs) and I'm on week one. I've lost 8 lbs so far. You're story came to me at a perfect time! Thank you for sharing your success!
You look SO GREAT!! I'm actually at 260 right now - where you started, after having lost 40 pounds. I hope to one day be where you are! You lost it so quickly! Nice work!
You did such a wonderful job! Good for you!
I joined this site Monday and have not been able to get on the scale to see what I weigh( I know this is absolutely crazy) I am afraid I won't be able to handle the number I see and that it might hurt rather than help. Does anyone have any tips to get over this?
I know how you feel. I knew that my number on the scale would be awful, so I avoided it. But you reach a point where you can't move forward in changing the number unless you know what you are changing. I weigh myself in the privacy of my own room and I don't share that number with anyone. I am not happy at how high it had gotten. I have even avoided going to the doctor for the last several years because I knew that the scale would be a part of the visit. I have been following an eating plan from this site since August 4 of this year. I have 200 pounds to lose, so I have a long voyage, but I am in the right mind frame to do the changes now. I have lost 22 pounds in the last 6 weeks. I am not sure if I would still be maintaining the will power to stay with the eating changes if I could not see the scale change. Put your scale in a place where you can have privacy when you weigh. Don't feel you have to share the number with anyone you don't want to. But you can share the weight dropped as you go along. Good luck and hang in there, there are a lot of people on this site who are behind you and walking in your shoes.
Girl, you are stunning. I hope to reach my goal soon but you look amazing and have a right to be proud.
@anneliebasson. I know how you feel. I too need to lose about 200 or so pounds. I feel great when I exercise but it is an awfully hard challenge to establish a routine when I am a divorced parent with a demanding job and pursuing my MBAs (in Accounting and Finance). I saw a chart on the CDC website that showed how many overweight and obese people are in the U.S. and it was staggering. When i developed high blood pressure this past January after my hysterectomy, it scared me and now I know I have to lose weight.
I am using calorie count to help me monitor my nutrition and find ways to reduce my calorie intake. I have a strong inner desire now to get healthy and there is nothing that will stop me.
I have about 78 pounds to go. It is hard to get into a new routine but what helped me is writing my routine down and sticking to it no matter what. I still work in my relaxation and t.v time but work al my other stuff in too. I do not have kids so I am sure that it is tough to stick to a schedule when they only want things NOW. LOL. Just try though. If you have to do something not on your schedule urgently , do it but get straight back to where you were. Good luck girl. We will all reap the rewards in the form of hot bods and better health (and more energy).
Original Post by: btlindaI know how you feel. I knew that my number on the scale would be awful, so I avoided it. But you reach a point where you can't move forward in changing the number unless you know what you are changing. I weigh myself in the privacy of my own room and I don't share that number with anyone. I am not happy at how high it had gotten. I have even avoided going to the doctor for the last several years because I knew that the scale would be a part of the visit. I have been following an eating plan from this site since August 4 of this year. I have 200 pounds to lose, so I have a long voyage, but I am in the right mind frame to do the changes now. I have lost 22 pounds in the last 6 weeks. I am not sure if I would still be maintaining the will power to stay with the eating changes if I could not see the scale change. Put your scale in a place where you can have privacy when you weigh. Don't feel you have to share the number with anyone you don't want to. But you can share the weight dropped as you go along. Good luck and hang in there, there are a lot of people on this site who are behind you and walking in your shoes.
thanks! I ended up doing it, its only a number and a number I'm working on changing so I can't put that much weight on it (no pun intended). Thanks for the advice!
Congrats on getting the dirty deed done. The first one is always the most painful. Stay in contact, the support from others will help keep you on the journey.
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Awsome Katyfink !! I just love hearing other people's success stories!! It further motivates me to keep trying. It's great to have people encourage you who have taken the healthy road to weight loss!! Thanks for the extra umph !! You look Fantabulous Katyfink!!