Determined to Get Healthy
Ahealthiergirl lost 69 lbs and is now thrilled with her new figure. Here she tells us how she made lifestyle changes that included regular exercise, portion control and eating healthier - all of which helped her shed those unwanted pounds.
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?
I made plans several different times. I always promised myself that I was going to wake up the next day and do this. I even made meal plans and signed up for Calorie Count, but the next day I didn't think for a second about my meal plan or Calorie Count. I just ate what I wanted. I got thinking about how I was only 15 and weighed 200 pounds. I knew that if I continued to walk the path that I was on, it could have severe consequences. I thought to myself, "This time will pass no matter what, why not better my health while it is?"
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?
I never tried any other diets before joining Calorie Count.
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 started eating more. I ate healthier and that allowed me to eat more, and more frequently. I was still consuming way less calories than ever before. I also bought an exercise bike and started swimming a lot. I got a treadmill and started using it as well. I had motivation; I wanted to lose the weight. I wanted to be healthy and I was determined that I could do it. The most important change for me was truly becoming determined that I could do it. Without that determination I would have never even tried.
4. Please describe how Calorie Count was instrumental to your weight loss.
I used Calorie Count throughout my whole journey. I used it to log all of my foods. It's interesting to me that I can go back and see what I had for breakfast five months ago! I think that using Calorie Count really helped me because I could see my progress and it was really easy to use. The food log is a great way to see how many calories you have consumed and how many you have left. I love all of the tools here and I don't think I could ever thank Calorie Count enough.
5. What difficulties did you experience losing weight?
After I had lost about 30 pounds, my weight loss seemed to come to a stop. I was not happy with this at all but I knew that if I just kept going that I would continue losing weight and I knew I had to try not to be discouraged.
6. How long did it take you to see results? When did you realize that you were a success?
I think that just losing a pound made me realize I was a success, because I was finally doing it and I knew I would stick to it. I didn't start noticing results until I lost about 30 lbs. but others said they seen results much sooner. I can definitely see a big difference now.
7. How do you prevent relapse?
Although I don't rely on Calorie Count as much to count my calories any more, I still keep track of what I've eaten with the calculator on my phone and log my weight. This helps me to see if there's a problem that I need to correct and keeps me from going calorie crazy.
8. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
Well, I can shop in stores now instead of ordering extended sizes online. I'm not embarrassed to go shopping, I actually enjoy it. I can fit into a size 8 now, and I was a size 18! I'm no longer wearing horrendous baggy clothes (t-shirt and sweats) to hide under, but I'm wearing clothes that fit me. I feel better and I'm more confident. The most rewarding of all though is that I am capable of doing more things, and I'm healthier.
9. How long have you maintained your current weight?
I've maintained my current weight for about 5 months.
10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?
- Get motivated. What's your inspiration? For me, I watched videos on YouTube of successful weight loss.
- Stick to it. Do you want to lose weight? That's not enough. You have to really want it. Anybody can do it.
- Don't get discouraged. If you gain a pound or two, or if you stop losing weight for a while. Do not get discouraged. If you slip up do not get discouraged. Being discouraged can lead you off of the path to success.
- Find someone going through the same thing. They can do this with you. Be each other's support. If you can't find someone, go to Calorie Count's Community tab.
- Don't rush it. Lasting results are the ones you work for. It's surprisingly easy once you get started. Be sure to exercise.
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
Congratulations! It's nice to see that Calorie Count represents all age groups. Very inspirational!
Congrats! That is fantastic! You just extended your life by YEARS by changing your lifestyle. Eating healthy and treating your body as your temple really is the best gift you can give to yourself isn't t it? Congrats again!!!
This is so inspiring! I rarely read the success stories in their entirety because I feel that i cannot usually relate well to most of the people and so it's not particularly inspiring...however, I feel like I can relate a lot to this and I can feel the motivation you had seeping from your words and into my cup of coffee!! This is going to be a good day for me, I can feel it, and your success has made me confident that I will be able to get to my goals!! I really feel like going to the gym now to work out :D
Wonderful job! You are wise beyond your years to set this goal and stick with it. I know from years of living that there will be ups and downs in life as well as weight. You were on target to say, don't get discouraged. Face each day with resolve, and you'll end up with that lovely size 8 body (or whatever is best for each person). We're all cheering for you and hoping you're in for a lifetime of healthy eating.
You are beautifull. Now just maintain and you will never be that huge person ever again. Do not let yourself be led astray. GOOD FOR YOU!!!
Truly inspirational. You have dramatically changed the course of your life. You took control, at a very young age, and got it done. The experience should provide you a tremendous amount of self-confidence in life. Stick with being healthy. Yaaay for you!
Congrats!!
Your tip on not getting discouraged is key advice. As you've learned, so long as you continue to execute everything comes out (off) in the wash!
Congratulations! You've mastered early what many of us are now trying to learn. Keep it up.
Good for you! You took control at such a young age. This was a wonderful step for your future. Congrats! BTW, you look great!
Just today I got on the scale and thought, "WHY THE HECK AM I STUCK AT 208?!?" It can be soooo frustrating to see no results in several weeks, even though I maintain a 1,500 calorie intake every day and walked ALL DAY yesterday and ran 5 times last week and went dancing twice.....
But this reminded me that people just get stuck sometimes. As long as they keep counting calories and exercising, the weight will eventually start coming off again. Think of the goal, not of the setback.
I think I'm going to start swimming too, now that the sun is out. Go you for being awesomely inspirational!
Dear Ahealthiergirl,
What an inspiration you are to me! I really needed to hear this from a person near to my age (13 years old). I think I am going to start swimming for excercise too – I've heard it really works. You're awesome! 
it's really annoying how everybody answers the "how long did it take you to see results" question in terms of lost weight. I'd like to hear how many months/years it took a person to lose the weight.
Other than that, all I have to say is congrats, and you look great.
Way to go the distance! Great advice about not getting discouraging and taking is slow!
I always tell people, do the right thing and it WILL happen!
Congrats!
Chris
(my weight loss journey of 130lbs and blog is in my profile)
Congratulations. Your story was very inspirational and it will keep me motivated towards my weight loss goal.
Very motivating story, and so true that anyone can do it if they really want to. Very proud of you and thank you for taking the time to share. Its a personal journey and hard to put into words.
That is SOOO well done! I love these 'success stories' - they are what motivate me. I am really taking this seriously and I think the folks at CC know when to send these motivational stories out because they seem to be timed perfectly just as I am starting to feel despondent.
Thanks for the motivation! You did a GREAT job on that weight loss.
this is great. Congratulations. I am 16 years old and i'm over 200 lbs. i m very happy i found Calorie Count. i am determined to loose weight over the summer and eve next year. Calore coun said i am supposed to loose 145lbs by April, 9, 2012. and i'm hoping to do just that! Congrats again!
Thanks for sharing your story. I just started using Calorie Count today, and I am a little over 200 lbs, and am a size 18. You hit home! The mirror was my first motivation this week - now you are! 
Congratulations and well wishes!
Congrats!!! You look Marvelous, and I'm sure you feel great too... just one question, how do you/or how did you make up for say when you ate too much one day? Do you exercise harder the next day or eat less the following week? I'm asking because I do great and keep track of all the calories, but Saturday I have a OFF day, where I eat whatever I've been craving the whole week.. and I'm thinking maybe I should make up for it during the next week...
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Wow girl you look amazing, congratulations!