Eat To Live Instead of Living To Eat
The title is one of the tips that this week's featured member, Aghollie would like to share with you. She tells us about how being in the right mindset and not using fad diets has helped her lose 32lbs.
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?
I decided to lose weight this time because I was really tired of telling myself I wanted to be at 125 pounds and the procrastination was unbearable. I wanted to feel better about myself and I knew I had the determination to do what I wanted. I felt my health was below my standards. I wanted to be healthy, smaller and happier. I had lots of clothes that were brand new and that I could not wear. I kept them for a reason and now I am proud I did. I can also say my family history is a motivator for me when deciding to live healthier and maintaining my weight because of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and obesity.
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?
I've tried in the past “The Lemon Diet”, “The Seven Day Diet”, a low carbohydrate diet, liquid diet with fruit juices and water, and a no meat diet. Most of the time, I attempted those diets with an exercise program that included aerobics, cardio and weight lifting. I signed up for numerous club memberships and being in the military I also indulged in physical training at least twice a day.
When I was in my teens I took Dexatrim. I have even tried other products such as Green Tea Extract and many laxatives. Over the years, nothing seem to work for a long period of time. The one thing I have tried and was successful with was attempting to be a vegetarian. It helped me put some thought into nutrition and learn about the daily nutrient requirements.
3. What changes did you make to your usual diet, activity, lifestyle, and attitude?
First, I had to decide that I wanted to lose weight and to find something that would assist in maintaining motivation and a positive attitude for a period of time. My usual diet is generally pretty healthy, but the amount of my daily food intake prevented me from losing weight in the past. I also realized that I had to increase my physical activity to lose weight. My lifestyle changes began with quitting smoking, staying away from negative influences and committing to better myself.
4. How did Calorie Count help you to lose weight?
The Calorie Count website played an important role in my success by assisting me with counting calories and helping me understand the basics of nutrition. The area on the site I tend to value most is the analysis. In addition to analyzing your intake, it also provides a listing of the foods that can improve your nutrition. This area especially helped me achieve my success by making me aware of what I needed to improve.
5. What was most challenging about losing weight?
The most challenging aspect of losing weight was the fact I live in Korea and it was very hard to find the right foods. The gym that I had to access to was also not available as often as I would have liked it to be; the area where I live has very limited running and walking areas, and safety is an issue there as well; and finally just sticking to my plan to lose weight when I had to deal with many negative things there were going on in my life at the same time.
6. How long did it take you to see results?
It took me about three months to reach my target weight. I lost 32 pounds and went down from 155 to 123 pounds. I went from wearing clothes that were large to those that were small and from size 10 to 6. I have not felt this good about myself in a long time. The results were also noticed by other people immediately and the compliments were outstanding.
7. When did you realize that you were a success?
I realized I was successful only when I looked at the scale and it displayed 123 pounds. I can now wear clothes I have never worn before. Before my success, the scale remained at 155 for over a year and I thought I would never lose the extra weight. The most remembered comment I keep in mind from other people is, “You look like a million dollars”. People also tell me I look really young even though I am 50 years old. The scale at the gym has now become a very good friend to me and my motivation has heightened tremendously.
8. How do you prevent relapse?
I prevent relapse by reminding myself of what it took for me to get where I am. I attempt to never let negativity get in my way when I am discouraged; when I “think” that I do not want to work out and when I “think” I want to eat something that is not on my listing of foods to consume. I love the way I look now and I never want to go back to feeling uncomfortable in my clothes or see the fat I saw before. Calorie Count is still a big help with maintaining my weight and helping me keep track of my calories, physical activities and nutrition.
9. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
My life has changed for the better because there is nothing greater when it comes to eating healthy, feeling good about yourself or just knowing you are successful with what you set out to accomplish. The weight loss has improved my confidence level and self-esteem.
10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?
- Never quit - Stay motivated and positive.
- Eat to live, instead of living to eat.
- Exercise regularly.
- Seek education on improving your lifestyle change for continued success.
- Stay away from negativity. Never allow anyone or anything alter your success.
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
You go Girl!!!! You sure do not look 50.
A friend of mine often says he thinks of food as fuel, nothing less nothing more. That alone has helped me on my journey. Your words and story will help to. THANKS!
very encouraging.. I am the same way. I have a ton of clothes just waiting for me to get in.. its coming!
This is really inspiring!
I was shocked when I read the part about living in Korea.
I also live in Korea, and have been feeling a lot of social pressure to lose weight. I really want to lose about 15 pounds, but I have a difficult time controlling what I eat. There are too many delicious things here! When I lose even a little weight I feel very happy and energetic, so I would like to lose the weight and keep it off because I'm constantly going up and down.
Thanks for this article!
Thank you Aghollie. I too lived in Korea as a military dependant spouse for 2 years. Gained LOTS of weight. Korean food made me sick and other choices were fast food. Also the entire environment was negative and hard to get away from it. You succeeded and I can imagine the odds you faced every second. Your story reminded me that our strength is within if we grab a hold of it. I am inspired to continue on and lose my last 14 "Korea Weight Gain" pounds. Thank you for sharing.
I live in Korea right now and I find so many issues with diet and exercise for foreigners here. I don't know exactly what it is, because everyone has a different situation, but most foreigners I know that come here to teach or whatever, gain weight and a lot of it in a short amount of time. I've also seen some people who did the complete opposite...turned their lives around and became fitter than they've ever been. Although I believe that self-motivation is key, no matter where you are, I also think that it's a bigger temptation to live in a country where bars are so cheap and stay open til way 6 or 7 am, fast food (I don't mean McDonald's..I mean Korean fast food) is so abundant, and the fact that a lot of foreigners don't like Korean food, so they delve into the available fatty Western-style foods. I'm in the middle. I've gained weight since being in Korea...but now, I have committed myself to losing the pounds I want. I just have to keep at it. Thank you for sharing your story...it was nice to here someone who used to live here, have such success with this part of their lives. AND...congrats! BTW did you start losing the weight in Korea or when you left? Thanks!
Congratulations on your success! Now you are qualified to help others around you who are enslaved by food. You will be inspirational to them.
Congratulation! I am so impressed. Also, you had so many reasons not to succeed. Well, that did not stop you! And is not stopping you from continuing your healthy lifestyle. Just the letter that I needed to read today as I jumped on the scale and it registered 158 pounds at 5 ' 5". Yup. You are just the inspiration that I needed. Thank-you for sending your message out.
You go girl.........You look absolutely fantastic...good job!!! I myself over the last year have gone from a 12 to a 5...I'm 46 and have never felt healthier in my entire life!!! Gone vegetarian and made alot of lifestyle changes...it's not always easy staying on the right path (the fact my fiance is a junk food junkie and never gains a pound doesn't help either) but I thank God I am strong willed and can do it....It has become a lifestyle change for me and I love it!!! Keep up the good work..like I said you look fabulous!!!!
Thank you for your service in the military.
Congratulations on your successful lifestyle change journey!
Great job. The best thing I like about CalorieCount is that it is free, I am just starting my weight lost journey and have lost 4 lbs. Your story is a motivation to us all. Keep up the great work.
This is great story of motivation and determination. I am close to 50 years old and keep hearing the old age spread theory for weight gain. It a negative influence and will take your advice - get rid of the negative things.
Everything in your post is simply incredible similar to me - clothes waiting for my arrival, family history of weight related illinesses. Thanks for the movitation and keep up the great work. Peace
Here a some of great tips.
1. Carefully floss and brush your teeth at 9 PM. Your brain will soon learn that eating is finished for the day. Then go to bed about 10--no later than 10:30. Getting enough sleep is extremely important in wait loss.
2. Eat a big breakfast with healthy fats.
3. Drink a glass of water when you feel hungry.
4. Don't drink your calories. Drink only water, green tea, and modest amounts of coffee. Rather than drink juice, eat the original fruit.
5. Have your doctor check your vitamin D-3 level (vitamin D-3 is an anti-cancer, mood elevating vitamin and many people have levels that are far too low.
6. Eat a lot of red, green, and yellow veggies, and eat a big variety of them.
7. Don't go more than three hours without eating. Eat small amounts every couple hours.
8. Make breakfast and lunch your big meals.
9. Avoid man-made sugar! Read the labels on things like yogurt (some yogurt is as bad as ice cream for sugar). Limit sugar to 12 grams per serving.
10. Go for a long walk each day (2 miles minimum).
Duh, I mis-spelled "weight." Many people, however, are waiting a long time for weight loss.
IMPORTANT: KNOW YOUR VITAMIN D-3 number! It should be between 32 and 100 (the high end is better). If your number is lower than 32, you are at serious risk of various diseases! Your doctor may prescribe 50,000 units for three weeks daily to bring your blood levels up to normal. That's 50 thousand!
DON'T Wait on this vital test! It is as important as a cholesterol test.
Congratulations! What an amazing amount of determination. Great share, really me.
You look so slender and it's amazing how youthful you look, you took years off of your appearance. Awesome!
Wow thanks for the motivation! You definitely DO NOT look anywhere near 50 years old! I think what was most inspiring is the challenges you had to face to work out. I guess everyone has their own challenges, and it is easy to turn them into excuses to not work out. But you proved where there is a will there is a way! Thanks again for your inspiring story!
You look phenomenal and are such an inspiration! You look like you are in your late 20's. Thanks for the motivation and keep up the great work!!
I was really amazed when you mentioned you are 50...i scroll back the my mouse and took another look of your picture! simply amazing!
Congrtatz Aghollie, I see you in the gym everyday and you are an inspiration to me...keep on keeping on gurl!!
I know this is an old thread, but just had to say...You are 50?!?! Girl you look AMAZING. Blown away.
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Thanks. I really needed this story. Ever since child #4 I've been hovering between 20 and 25 lbs above my proper weight. Like Aghollie I eat fairly healthily and I do exercise, but I consume too many calories to shed the weight. Heck, we're even in the same age bracket. I have a husband who is active and would love to see me back at my lower weight range (<130lbs) and I have a VERY physically demanding volunteeer job as a search and rescue worker. I NEED to lose this weight, once and for all, without sliding back into my bad eating habits.
If Aghollie can do it, SO CAN I! Thanks for this timely inspiration!