Dressing to the Nines
The lack of self-confidence at her brother's wedding gave Swaymyway the motivation to lose over 80lbs, get fitter and feel good about herself.
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?
My brother got married and I found it so hard to find an outfit to wear as nothing would fit me and I didn't feel confident in anything. The idea of seeing family members I had not seen for a few years filled me with dread. I kept thinking that I should be excited and happy at my brother's wedding, not dreading it!
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?
Slim fast. I lost around 14 lbs, but did not learn anything about calories or portion control or exercise, so as soon as I stopped doing it, the weight went straight back on plus some.
3. What changes did you make to your usual diet, activity, lifestyle, and attitude?
I educated myself about food. Before I started this journey at 27 years old I didn't even know what a calorie was, never mind how many I should be consuming per day. I had no idea what foods were good and what foods were bad, and basically ate whatever I wanted and whenever I wanted to. I practically lived on cheese sandwiches and crisps.
4. How did Calorie Count help you to lose weight?
I have learned so much from reading and partaking in the forums. The community here is very friendly and helpful. Whenever I needed advice or opinions this is the first place I ran to.
5. What was most challenging about losing weight?
Learning to love exercise. I used to lead a very sedentary lifestyle previously, and the idea of walking anywhere when I could drive seemed ridiculous to me. I had to literally force myself to work out every day, and I hated every second of it. Two and a half years later, I still have to force myself some days, but I enjoy it a lot more and am always looking for ways to add a little exercise to my daily routine.
6. How long did it take you to see results?
I have always been a slow loser, even when I started out. Unlike most people, I didn't get that first month or so when the weight just drops off you - so it was around 6 months before I had lost enough weight for anyone to start noticing, and it wasn't until around a year into it that I could actually see a difference myself.
7. When did you realize that you were a success?
Just a short time ago when I weighed in and realized that I had met my initial goal weight of 139lbs, making me the lowest I have ever been since I was a teenager. I changed my main goal around a year ago when I realized that being 139lbs was not going to be enough. But even that first goal seemed so impossible when I first started out.
8. How do you prevent relapse?
Mini goals. I always have at least one mini goal that I am working towards. These range from any thing from dropping the next 5lbs to being able to run non stop for 15 minutes.
9. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
I am much more confident than I was. I literally didn't like to leave the house before, but now I love going out and seeing people. I also get to wear trendy clothes for the first time in my life, since I was never confident enough to follow the latest fashions before.
10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?
- Allow yourself 'naughty' foods sometimes. You don't have to be good 24/7.
- Log everything you eat and count the calories. You'll be amazed
at how all the little bites here and drinks there add up. - Tell people what you are doing. Having people ask you how you are
getting along and if you met your next goal yet can be really
motivating. - Change things up. Don't fall into too much of a routine with your
eating and exercise. - Celebrate the goals you reach, no matter how small.
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
Wow! You look great!!!! Congratulations on your loss! Nice to find someone else with the same stats and we have almost the same goal weight- 140-145! Can't wait to look as awesome as you do at 145! :D
SO inspiring.
6 months before anyone noticed?
A year before you could see it yourself?
You must be Wonder Woman or something to stick it out under those conditions!
You are just plain AWSOME!
I agree! You look beautiful...and even your stance shows that you are more confident. 
I am a fast loser myself, and noticed a change within a few weeks when I went down a complete size...but if I had been slower to see results, I'm not so sure I would have had as much gumption as you did! You deserve all the credit in the world for sticking it out. What a wonderful accomplishment!
Way to go ~ and congratulations!!
Congratulations! I cannot believe how much younger your AFTER picture makes you look! I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but you looked way older and more tired in your BEFORE picture! You are lovely and look confident now--your story is inspiring and you have shown that it can be done --I like your small goal idea--small goals add up to that one big goal!
Keep up the good work! So cute in your fashionable clothes! Good for you!
Congratulations! You've helped motivate me! Thanks! I love that you were able to stick with it for 6 months before anyone noticed; that proves that you were doing it for the right reasons: for your own health and happiness rather than to please someone else!
What is your new goal weight?
This was a good one - I particularly like how she mentions that she's a slow loser, because too often we hear about people whose pounds melt off at first.
Congratulations, You look amazing!!!! I woke up wanting to fall back on my old habits, but you have inspired me to keep going. Thank You!!
You look terrific and that outfit is super cute! I totally understand the slow loser frustration, but you've inspired me to stay on track. Best of luck with everything!
You look fabulous! Bravo! I know how you feel, I lost almost exactly the same amount and life IS better now that I feel better. I see you took a sensible, practical approach. Because you did it this way, you were successful and I can see that you will continue to be. My story is at (www.thinkingskinny.com) if you want to read a similar story, except I'm older--it's not too late for us baby-boomers to shape up and look and feel good again.
I love these stories, and yours is inspiring!! I hope to be where you are one day. I've lost 42lbs so far, so if you can do I can do it!!
It's very strange for me seeing my name 'up in lights' here as I am not really the sort of person who likes to be the center of attention, but I am glad I sent my story in and that it was chosen to be featured :)
Thanks everyone for your kind words.
Way to GO and CONGRATS!!!!!!
Thanks so much for telling us your success story. I'm just starting out for a big loss and you give me HOPE that I can succeed, too. Your advice echos what I've seen recommended that folks do to make a lasting lifestyle change. Thank you for proving it works!
Thanks - thanks - thanks!
I'm so impressed by your story. You are smart to lose the weight while you are so young. If you haven't read "The Clothesline Diet," it would be interesting to you I think. It's the story of a lady in Melbourne (I think) who lost a massive amount of weight without any help at all. We are so lucky to Calorie Count to help us.
You look wonderful. Keep it up and the next wedding will be yours.
Wow! Congrats! Fashion can be a good motivator! It's not all heartless as some people perceive it. I certainly use fashion to motivate me to stay in shape so that I could enjoy all the pretty things that come out from season to season. I'm glad you've found the confidence and motivation to do likewise. :)
I can relate to some of what you said. Special events are always the most painful. I normally make sure I have something lined up that would work for the season just in case I need it. Last year, when I was my heaviest, I bought a dress that I neded up wearing only on my birthday so that I had something ready in case we got an invitation where I needed to dress up. I had long learned NOT to wait for the invite to shop for a special outfit. It was too nervewracking and depressing.
I also have now lost 40 pounds, and most people haven't noticed that I lost weight. Some people said I seemed really well rested and less haggard as if my pain were under better control - I have chronic pain with my disabilities. I have also gotten compliments on the current shade and style of hair. Oddly, they are complimenting my weight loss without realizing it. I'll take what I can get though! LOL
That 40 pounds will soon be my first 10%. On a very obese person, it just isn't that dramatic a loss visually as on a much less overweight person. That does make it harder to keep going unless the motivation is all about non-looks issues. Mine is health and mobility, so that's a good thing considering people aren't noticing. Of course, just thik when they ask have you lost some weight, and I say, yeah, 80 pounds! THAT will be funny.
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You look great! I am certain you FEEL great! Keep up the good work and be glad you did it at a young age!!!