Doing It For Myself
Phatcat75’s weight related health problems are now a thing of the past as she works towards attaining her goal weight. Being more nutrition-conscious, watching food portions, exercising, and keeping herself motivated have helped her lose 65lbs.
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 had a lot of health problems I had triglycerides over 700, Cholesterol around 240, diabetes, fibromyalgia, neuropathy, high blood pressure and had renal failure in November of 2009. My health started going downhill in my mid 20's and I just gave up and became depressed. It was late August of 2010 I just said to myself I am tired of being overweight and miserable and feeling so sloppy all the time. I could barely walk to mailbox without getting tired or I would be in pain. I was also on about 12 different medications.
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?
I have tried weight watchers and curves and it helped for a short time but then I just could not afford to go to meetings anymore and I slacked off.
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 first joined a gym and decided my first step is to get active and I have stuck with working out 6 days a week sometimes 2 or 3 times a day, and I also ride my bike and walk in spare time. I also eliminated red meat, soda, sweets, fried foods and fast foods. I still do occasionally go out to a restaurant but not every other day like I was. I also quit smoking 2 weeks ago and hoping that will help me lose these last 30 lbs. Also as of last Friday April 1, 2011 my Dr has actually removed me from all medications I was taking.
4. Please describe how Calorie Count was instrumental to your weight loss.
Calorie Count has helped me see what I was missing and what I was eating too much of in my diet. I love seeing the values of the foods I am putting in my body. Also, the inspirational stories and articles are great. I share these articles with facebook friends hoping to motivate and inspire them as well.
5. What difficulties did you experience losing weight?
I hit a couple plateaus but I did not let it discourage me I just changed up my routine and what I ate, I am still losing between .5 to 2lbs a week so hoping to reach my goal weight very soon.
6. How long did it take you to see results? When did you realize that you were a success?
I saw results within the first couple weeks but I knew I was a success when I could shop in regular size section of the store not the plus size, when my Doctor took me off all my medications and when I was able to quit smoking and still continue to lose weight.
7. How do you prevent relapse?
I stay dedicated to my workout schedule and I educate myself as much as possible on what my body needs to stay healthy, I am always looking for new exciting things to eat and I stick with fresh fruits and veggies, lean meats like ground turkey and chicken.
8. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
I had an eye opener, I did not realize that the way I was living my life had affected my children, I feel not only has this weight loss saved my life but it made me aware the unhealthy lifestyle I passed on to my children so I am currently working on adjusting their diets and making sure they are eating healthier and that they are getting exercise, my son is now a member of the gym I go to and for my daughter I got us family YMCA passes.
9. How long have you maintained your current weight?
I am still losing and have been losing since September 2010 so I have managed to maintain my weight loss thus far.
10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?
- Get Active and stay active.
- Do it for yourself.
- You will not see good results if you become active and still eat unhealthy, you must make some changes to your diet.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Stay focused no matter what, do not get discouraged.
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
Thats fantastic! Its great to see that you are feeling better. You can see how much more energised you are in your face. Keep up the great work!
Fantastic getting off the meds! Isnt that liberating?!?!? I am too now after losing 130 myself (see my profile for blog link). I love not having to pay those monthly med copays!
Congrats again!
CK
BEAUTIFUL STORY!! We are all SO proud of you...as I know you are of yourself. The work can be hard, but when you stand and look at yourself in the mirror, and just think about how you feel now...both physically and emotionally...you KNOW it's worth it! You are an inspiration to anyone who knows you, and even to those who don't. CONGRATULATIONS! JOB WELL DONE!!
Congratulations! I'm glad I read your article. I lost all my weight through Calorie Count 2 1/2 years ago. I quit smoking 1 1/2 years ago after smoking for 15 years. I gained all my weight back! I have to just get busy because I know how to do this. Good luck. My advice to you is talk to your doctor or someone to devise a plan to not gain the weight because you dropped the cigarettes. I am so proud of myself for quitting smoking and yet disgusted about the weight gain. I am going to use you as motivation and go to the gym today for the first time in 5 months!!! Thank you.
Congratulations and way to go! Your determination and focus are inspiring. Your children have a great mom!
WoW! I too had lost almost 70 pounds went from size 24 to 12 and now I have gain enough to put me at a 14 still great but I feel like am slipping slowy back gaining so reading your story help me this morning get back on the right path Thank you!
WOW!!!! You are an inspiration...I just started my journey...again...Your story gives me hope and you look wonderful. Congratulations!!!
Congrats on ur success...and good luck on reaching ur goal weight :))...
Thnx for the inspiration!
I am at the beginning of my journey and I don't even know where to begin! I'm so busy everyday and I don't have time to go to the gym as often as you. I know I need to do this for myself and I wish wish wish that I had a great motivational workout/health nut buddy to help me through this! Pray for me..
Great success story...congratulations on getting off your meds 
. You're looking great and feeling good: that alone is the greatest gift you can give yourself. Keep going!!
Congratulations! I must say you look great. I am on a weightloss journey and I will also use you as motivation. Its such a struggle getting rid of the weight and also to stay motivated when you have a setback.
I'm learning to be patient with myself because after years of unhealthy eating and little exercise its a big adjustment to make. Just reading these success stories gives me the movtivation to keep going plus I want to inspire others who feel like they can't loose weight.
Wow!! getting off all those meds is fantastic! Just imagine how great your body feels inside with out all that man made junk floating around in there! You are looking great and the best part is your children will benefit from your example!
Outstanding, Sheila...it;s not just about the weight loss, it is about our health...keep up the great progress...God Bless..Brenda 
Congratulations! You look great and your story will inspire others! Your kids will thank you for the changes in lifestyle too.
Congratulations!!! You are a perfect example of how important nutrition and a healthy lifestyle are to fending off illness and medication. While your pound loss is something to celebrate, I think it's even more amazing that you've been able to get off all your medication and quit smoking with the changes you've made. You're an inspiration. :)
I love your story....very PROUD of you and what you have done. I'm passing your story along to my sister in law. You sound like twins with your old health problems and 12 meds! I'm hoping this will give her the inspiration to start on her journey to getting healthy! THANKS for POSTING!!!
I am passing this on to my daughter, who is also in her 20's. She recently regained all the weight she lost. She has had 2 open heart surgeries and other medical problems including dealing with depression. I am hoping she get some inspiration from your article. She had struggles with a weight problem since the age of 12. I am so scared that her health will continue to decline. Thank you for sharing your story.
Sheila, I'm 53 and just started my weightloss journey last month on the 1st of April! I'm so glad to see that someone else has lost the weight and gotten off of meds!!! I'm also on lots of meds due to High Blood Pressure and water weight and on potassium and take about 12 a day too! I went to the Dr. and have lost 13.4 lbs so far and have joined a gym and am working out. I got to drop 2 potassium pills and 1/2 water pill! and I'm thrilled!!! and so is my Dr.! It feels great so far!!!
YOU LOOK WONDERFUL! That's how I want to look and I want to buy in the Misses sizes instead of the Women's xxx sizes!! You are surely an inspiration to ME! I want to be able to play with my grandchildren more and do more things without being so tired and wornout all the time! I'm so glad you're making changes for your children too! They'll thank you in the long run!
God Bless you and your children and have a wonderful and blessed future!
Joan
CONGRATULATIONS! Very inspiring. You look FREAKING AWESOME. Keep up the great work. You and your family will live longer and you have already motivated and help inspire others. Keep goin' Sista!
Way to go, Sheila!! People (thin) people do not realize the hard work and dedication it takes to lose weight. I do. I commend you for being a strong woman and being a wonderful role model for your kids. GREAT JOB!!
Congratulations! I am so happy for you! Very inspiring to all of us too!
You look amazing in the pic, continue your journey.
:)
Off all your meds!!!!! That's great! You go girl!!
I couldn't agree with you more that exercise alone will not institute change. If you still eat a crappy diet, then all the hard work in the gym will be in vain.
Congratulations on getting off the meds. My mom is ill with some of the same ailments you mentioned and I would love to see her eat healthier. I have lost 18 lbs in the last 6 weeks with the help of CC. I was eating so poorly and I didn't realize just how poorly until I started using CC! My sodium was off the charts and my saturated fats were crazy high!
Now I'm eating 1500 cals a day and I give myself a cheat day...or 2 a week where I eat about 1800 cals. I also work out 3 days a week. It seems to work, so I am gonna keep going.
Thank you for your story! You are an inspiration for those of us out there that are struggling. Keep going and you will reach your goal.
That is so AWESOME!!!! I love that you are passing on your good habits to your children!!!! My children also pick up on my eating habits; its funny how they get healthier simply by watching their parents!!!! You are an excellent role model for your children and I think that is the best!!! You look incredible! CONGRATUATIONS!
I agree. congratulations. the med thing is huge! it seems the more we do something the better we get at it, healthy habits or bad ones. What an inspiration you are . thx
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Good job Phatcat, so amazing that you got off of all those meds! That's a real inspiration to others! Way to go!!!
Thank you everyone for all your kind words... my journey continues... and I offer my support to all who need it..
Congratulations. You look great, and what a story on your health improvements!
How did you avoid discouragement? It dogs me like a bad debt.
Thanks.
You just motivated me! Thank-you!
I am curius, are you still not smoking?
I need to quit as I started again after 6 months.
You've inspired me to eat healthier and workout more! 2-3 times a day? That's amazing!
I am also intrigued by the fact that you were taken off of all your medications. I recently was told my cholesterol was too high and am fearful I will be on meds for the rest of my life. How long did it take for your levels to become normal again?
Thanks for sharing your inspiring story!
Your story really inspires me cause it sounds so much like mine. I started my lifestyle change on May 4, 2011 and have lost 21 lbs so far. I also have diabetes, fibromyalgia, restless leg syndrome, acid reflux, high cholestrol, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, etc. And i am also on about 15 or so medications and in alot of pain. I also started walking and at first i could not make it to the mailbox but now im up to 1/3 of a mile. I cant believe how far ive come since then. My goal is to get all the way around the block and lose 150 lbs well 130 now and get off all or most of my medicine. I would like to know how is your fibro doing since u lost all ur weight and do u still have to take meds for it? I would love to be painfree again. Well thanks for your inspiring story and now i have lots to look forward to.
Sonya
That is so wonderful that you have had such a health turn around and were able to get off all those meds. I think it's wonderful that as you learn you are making healthy changes for your family as well :) Way to go! Congrats!
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Excellent story. Very inspiring. Keep it up and I'm positive you will soon reach your goals!