Down 102 Pounds and Still Going Strong!
Having previously lost 70 pounds only to gain all of it plus some more back, Lexiboo didn’t let that deter her when she decided to tackle her weight woes almost 13 months ago. With the help of Calorie Count, she’s lost 102 pounds and is still going strong. She shares the key components to taking the weight off in a healthy way with a unique form of exercise.
She contacted us through our Share Your Story feature and provided the following answers to our questionnaire.
1. What made you decide to lose weight this time?
The biggest reality check for me was when I went on a trip to visit some friends out of state. I couldn’t buckle my seatbelt on the plane and it was mortifying. I never thought I’d be too big for an airplane seatbelt.
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?
I have tried several diets in the past, including Atkins and other lose-weight-fast regimens. I lost 70 lbs on Atkins the first time around, but gained it back (and then some).
3. What changes did you make to your usual diet, activity, lifestyle, and attitude?
I realized, after much failure with maintaining weight loss in the past, that it’s all about making a permanent lifestyle change. I had to remind myself along the way that this not a temporary thing. I cannot expect to get down to a healthy weight and stay there forever without putting in daily effort. It’s a daily task.
Additionally, after about 8 months of dieting, I made the commitment to go vegetarian. It was a decision I had been toying with for years but put off out of apprehension. Fast Food Nation and the documentary Food Inc (among many others) were extremely eye-opening for me.
Finally, I took up a fairly unorthodox form of exercise: pole dancing. I can’t put into words how fun and rewarding it is. It’s a phenomenal way to burn calories and build strength, plus you never run out of moves so it never gets boring. In this age there is still a fair bit of criticism behind pole dancing, but it’s steadily becoming a popular exercise offered at large fitness centers.
4. How did Calorie Count help you to lose weight?
Calorie Count’s tools were enormously helpful to me. Not only do I utilize the food database, but also the BMI tool, burn meter, weight log and food log. The progress charts and trends show me the mathematics behind my weight loss, which is really cool. I also read the daily newsletter every morning while I eat breakfast. It’s like a ritual now… Calorie Count has actually become a part of my daily life!
5. What was most challenging about losing weight?
The most challenging aspect this time around was giving up alcohol and high-calorie foods around friends and family, especially during the holidays. After doing this for over a year now, it’s becoming easier.
6. How long did it take you to see results?
I noticed results after losing the first 20 pounds or so, when it became obvious my jeans were hanging off me. It took about 10 more pounds before my family and co-workers really started to notice.
7. When did you realize that you were a success?
I think my biggest feeling of success came when realized I had lost 80 lbs. That was the most weight I’d ever lost, and I hadn’t given up on losing more. I was excited to keep working at it.
8. How do you prevent relapse?
All I do to prevent relapse is think back to how miserable I was before. I had to shop at plus-size stores and trying on clothes was so miserable. So now I keep my fat pants at the back of my closet as a reminder. Another helpful tactic against relapse is finding low calorie, sugar-free alternatives to some of my favorite sweet treats (and I have a MAJOR sweet tooth).
9. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
My life has changed in more ways than I could’ve ever imagined. When I was at my heaviest, the Texas summers just about killed me, but now it doesn’t feel so bad. My menstrual cycle is completely regular now, which it NEVER has been in the past. My joints feel healthier; I move around faster and have much better stamina. I look forward to clothes shopping, socializing with friends and cooking meals. It’s fantastic.
10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?
- Take photographs of your progress, date them and compare them to your weight log. Looking back, this is something I really wish I did!
- Be patient. Don’t get discouraged if the scale doesn’t budge. Even
while eating healthy and exercising, I went through a 2-month plateau.
After that, I lost 15 pounds. - Buy smaller dinner plates for use at home. A 10 ounce meal looks
like a lot more food on a 9” plate than a 12” plate. Mind over matter! - Find an exercise you LOVE. If you hate it, you won’t do it. I absolutely hate monotonous cardio routines, so I took up yoga and pole fitness. Problem solved!
- Do your research. The words “healthy” and “wholesome” are
appearing more and more on food packaging these days, but most of it
is just a marketing ploy. Study ingredient lists carefully, and read up on what is actually going into your food. Don’t leave it up to food manufacturers to decide what’s best for you.
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
What an awesome story. Thank you so much for sharing and for going vegetarian. You've shown compassion towards yourself, the planet and the beings we share it with. I wish you much success as you continue on your path to health and happiness.
You go girl!.. and you look great.. I am still trying to get the first 10lbs off and its hard but this was great motivation..
I love your dedication! Once again, another Monday that I'm determined to start a healthier lifestyle. I really want to lose 10 lbs and ultimately 12, and after reading your story it seems it should be doable, but it is oh so hard for all of us! Keep up the good work girl, but don't get too skinny!
Pole dancing, eh?!? lol...how fun! 
Congratulations on such tremendous weight loss ~ no, weight CONTROL!! I know how hard it can be sometimes, but with the lifestyle changes, it becomes more possible, doesn't it? And when you suddenly realize one day that you don't even think about all the sugar, salt, heavy treats, etc., what an eye-opener...
I'll just repeat what the others have said before me: Much success to you & keep up the good work! You look beautiful!! 
This was so encouraging to read! I have been there- losing a bunch of weight, only to gain it all (plus) back. I guess it's one of those hard lessons learned. It IS a day-to-day struggle, but it is also each days reward. To fail for a day, just makes determination for the next day that much greater!
Congrats!!! =D
Stay Beautiful!Wow, you look great! I've been battling with the same 20 lbs for 3 months now, but after reading this I feel like I can do it too. Thanks for the inspiration, and keep up the good work!!
awesome! I myself is down over 150lbs but i still have 50 more to go...keep up the great work...i know i will because this is a life long thing.
"it’s all about making a permanent lifestyle change" - Lexiboo
That's it!
Congratulations! You look great and very happy too!
Thanks for the great tips. They are very good. :)
Lexiboo you look GREAT!!!! Thank you so much for your story. Yesterday was my 1 year anniversary since I started this weight loss journey and I've lost 56 lbs and have 32 to go. Currently, I'm stuck another plateau 
I woke up this morning feeling un-inspired to want to stay on this journey but thanks to your story, you have given me the inspiration I need.
Also, your 5 tips were right on!!!!!!
102 lbs is absoutely OUTSTANDING and I commend you on your hard work and dedication!!!!!!
I didn't have as far to go as you did, but one thing that works for me is the sign on my refrigerator that says (in big letters) The Fat Pants are in the Shed.
Congratulations on your achievement. You look great.
Lexiboo,
Your story is extremely motivational! I appreciated it to the max...
Your exercise routine is right on!
Your advice on finding low calorie, sugar-free replacements for sweets is something I'm doing and it WORKS!
Your story was very touching and most of all motivating! Congratulations and you have encouraged me.
Finding an exercise routine that works for you is key. If you're feeling good and enjoying it, then you'll continue to do it! And you're right, it isn't about dieting, it's about making a permanent change to your eating habits. It's so easy to make drastic changes that aren't sustainable and then see all your hard work undone. You have to make adjustments you can live with, and you've done it! Congrats!!
Congrats on your weight loss! I've just hit the 70 pound mark myself. What you write about weight management being a daily effort is a big key! I switched from thinking "diet" to healthy lifestyle. It's through many changed habits that I've been able to lose weight. Way to go!
Thank you all very much for the kind words! I'm so happy to hear that my story has encouraged and motivated some of you that were starting to lose ambition. I'm with you.. it's a tough road, but TRUST ME, the end result is totally worth it! :)
You are such an inspiration! Your story is definitely going to help me stay motivated. Thank you and congratulations!! (:
Your story was what I needed to hear this morning. I'm happy and proud for you. What a journey, what success!!!
I find that I can be soooo good and commited for two days then I slip so I never get anywhere. I've just got to get honestly commited and stay on track!
Thank you for you idea's.
Carol
YOU GO GIRL!!! Wow...you're beautiful!! We're all very proud of you. I'm totally impressed.
Really inspirational. The whole secret (and what you seem to say) is it's the change in mindset. Once you make it a lifestyle rather than having a beginning and an end you've won the battle. The times you go out and let yourself go (as a one off) become so much more pleasurable. Your story will hopefully inspire and change a lot of people's lives for the better.
fantastic - well done. i too have lost about 80 lbs except mine have been the same 10lbs eight times over!!!! boy do i know about yo yo dieting.
will try to stick to it this time round. thanks for the motiviation
WOW! It really is in what works best for each of us. You have inspired me to at least try different activities and find the right "fit". In the past I've focused on the scale and less on the activity. It's time to change up the approach. Thank you for your story. It's helped open my eyes and brought hope for change in my families fitness.
Thanks for the feed back. I really like this ur article because it makes you realize that it is a permanent life style change. It can be so easy to go back to our old habbits and before you realize it, we are back to the weight that we were before. I think we train our brains that we need to loose weight and when we finally reach our goal we don't know how to maintain it and we gain weight so that we can start all over again.
Original Post by: sharol46I didn't have as far to go as you did, but one thing that works for me is the sign on my refrigerator that says (in big letters) The Fat Pants are in the Shed.
Congratulations on your achievement. You look great.
"The Fat Pants are in the Shed", LOL! Good for you!
Each time I go down a size, I give mine away; unfortunately, there are people who can fit them.
Thanks for going vegetarian. I did this a few years ago to support my daughter and her friend (6th graders at the time). They were on a big "save the planet and all living things" kick. Sooo... we gave up anything that would destroy the rain forests and went almost veggie (We still used milk, eggs and fish).
The interesting thing I found when I tried to eat meat after this was, I am allergic to pork and just don't feel good on beef, chicken, turkey, etc.
Also, some tips to get off plateaus:
1) Try a bit of caffeine early in the day to jump start your metabolism. Green teas in the afternoon help too without caffeine jitters.
2)Be sure you are eating breakfast, and no more than 3 hours between meals after that (6 or more tiny meals rather than 3 squares).
3) Watch your sodium intake. It will make you retain water weight and crave more food in an attempt to find water.
4) Move a little more: listen to music so you tap your foot, focus on sitting up straighter, use the stairs, use hand can opener instead of electric, park further away, etc. Keep it simple so the added movement it part of the natural flow of your day.
Congratulations!
Awww, that's so awesome and you look FANTASTIC. I browsed ur other pics and u have some crazy gorgeous legs lady. I LOVE these success stories. I hope CC posts mine one day!
congratulations, i want to lose 70 i have 18 down and i have been at a plateau for about 1 1/2 weeks! but i know that it just means when i get over it it will really come off! keep up the good work you are an amazing inspiration!
Go you!!!
Congrats, on the decision to become a vegetarian, meats totally weighs you down. Yoga is so fun too! Pole fitness sounds interesting, haha, whatever suites your fancy for sure. Your determination is inspiring, thank you.
I'm so happy to hear that my story has inspired and motivated so many of you. I really appreciate your support and wish you all the best with reaching your own individual goals. It's all about support and understanding, and CC is a great place to find both of those!
WoW! 102 lbs, CONGRATULATIONS!!!
What an inspiring story...and your reasons for committing to a vegetarian lifestyle are the exact same as mine! First I saw "food inc"...I went off pork easily, and beef few months later. Then I saw "fast food nation"..ughhhhh!!
I'm having a hard time COMPLETELY giving up chicken and fish though, mainly because they're easy (and fast) to prepare proteins. After reading your story, I'm going to start working on the chicken.
Great advice too about finding an activity you LOVE. I'm finding out just how important it is to move more. Not only does the weight come off faster, but I feel so much better, and have more energy. Doing something you enjoy makes it (almost) easy. I can't wait for the day when I can post my weight loss story! Thanks!
that is such an encouragig story. im so excited for you. im at the very early stage of my weight loss but so far ive 21lbs off in 5 weeks. i know this speed wont ast for ever but reading stories like yours will encourage me to keep going.
thanks
This is soo encouraging atleast i know u are for real coz u are not advertising some weight loss plan...Am soo encourged.Today, i have started dieting ,i hope and pray that i stay faithful cause i do not want to enter 2011 with this weight...
That is so awesome, good for you! I knew women were starting to use pole dancing as exercise but never gave it much thought. After looking at a couple examples of moves in your gallery, it does look to me like it would be a good workout and strength builder. I just might look into it!
That's awesome! Great job!
You have some great tips in there!
Jenn@ www.slim-shoppin.com
I have tons of free healthy recipes on my site!
I found the story of your success extremely helpful. I have lost about 60 pounds within the last year and I am 25 away from my goal! you are an inspiration! Congtayulations on your continued success!!!
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Congratulations! I know you feel like a new woman!!!!! Keep up the hard work. I love that you enjoy the pole dancing :-) Bring on your inner tiger girl! Talk about a confidence booster.