Every Pound Lost Is a Pound of Confidence Gained
Facing a divorce, Jensenjeni was determined to rediscover her life and gain all her lost self-confidence back. She has successfully lost 74 lbs and loves herself again.
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 found myself at a crossroads in my life. I was facing a divorce after 15 years of marriage and felt hopeless about my life and who I was. I thought maybe I could focus the pain on something positive and started to reinvent myself.
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?
I have tried Low Carb (Atkin's, South Beach, Carbohydrate Addicts). I tried diet pills, weight loss drinks, Sensa, and starvation.
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 changed everything about myself. My attitude, my diet and my activities. I joined the YMCA and started exercising 4 days a week. I no longer ate fast food or anything that you cooked out of a box. I added a lot of fresh fruit, vegetables, and lean proteins. After a month I started running. That is when the weight really started to fall off.
4. Please describe how Calorie Count was instrumental to your weight loss.
I found Calorie Count right out the gate. I used all the tools available to me. I counted everything I consumed. It has been my number one tool for success.
5. What difficulties did you experience losing weight?
Between 180-175 lbs I hit a plateau. I stayed at that weight for almost 6 months or more. I still continued to run and eat right but my body had regulated itself and was comfortable at that weight. But I wasn't. I turned to the forums and asked for help. I learned a lot about HIIT. The was the key that helped me break through.
6. How long did it take you to see results? When did you realize that you were a success?
I noticed results after the first month. I consistently lost 10 lbs a month for the first 5 months.
7. How do you prevent relapse?
I don't ever consider relapsing an option. This has been a life changing event for me. I am no longer insecure about myself and how I look. I keep inspirational quotes on my mirror to remind me of my journey. My favorite quote came from my 19 year old son, "Every pound lost is a pound of confidence gained" - smart kid!
8. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
Well, I love myself again. I am proof to myself that I can do anything! I have confidence that I never knew I had. I look and feel better at 38 than I did at 28.
9. How long have you maintained your current weight?
One year approximately. I am still working on the last 20 lbs. I find that this last 20 lbs is proving to be the most difficult.
10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?
- Say it to yourself and mean it, "I Love You!"
- Never let the difficult days detour you from your goal.
- Exercise, Exercise, Exercise.
- Reward yourself, just not with food.
- Keep counting and let the math do the work.
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 !!! You look fabulous. Thank you very much for sharing your story. Its truly inspiring! Good luck to you..
Now that is a great success story! I can relate to your struggles a lot. I, too, needed to re-invent myself -- facing a possible/probable divorce at 60 (!) I lost 50 lbs when I was hit with the news just from grief. But, because I hadn't really changed my eating/lifestyle, much of it came back. Then, I decided I needed to get healthy just for me. That made a major difference! CalorieCount helped me stay on track when I had no other source of encouragement. I just focused on "staying on the plan". And, like you, I hit a plateau (in it now); and, it is very difficult -- but, having to track all food, calories, nutrients provides me with a focus. Exercise (I like to tread) seems to help move the scales. And, here is the best part -- with my new found shape and healthier look, a lot more people are friendly and accepting. That helps a lot, too. Best wishes to you in the future with your new life! Good for you for taking control and getting back your life!
woot woot way to go!
Running has been instrumental in my 130 pound loss as well! love it!
Chris
(link to my blog in my profile)
Nice work, you look great!! I love your son's quote, and your last bullet point is instrumental-
"Keep counting and let the math do the work"
LOVE IT! So many people cheat themselves when they don't log everything and be honest with themselves about their intake. Thanks for my Monday morning inspiration!
Wow! You look amazing and congratulations! I am also rediscovering and reinventing myself. It feels powerful doesn't it? Below are some boundaries that I've set for myself that have helped me become a stronger woman. These boundaries have helped me to explore my rights and explore my control over my world. Wanted to share them with you.
I promise to remember I am in charge of my life. I am in control of my environment, and I am in control of who shares my space. Whatever has happened in my past does not matter because I am in charge now.
I promise to confront anyone in my life who is abusive and/or does not express respect for my privacy.
I promise to demand respect for myself, my friends, my partners, and my children.
I promise to notice my feelings and honor they are real, mine, and right. My feelings tell me what is going on in my world.
I promise to take responsibility for my emotional health, actions, and behaviors.
I promise to pay attention to the quality of people I let into my life.
These are just a few that I've come across and I have made up many others on my own. I encourage everyone to set your own boundaries and push forward toward your weight loss goals or other goals that will take you to your perfect world!
You are really inspiring! congratulations- you look great! I have reached a plateau at my last 20 lbs as well. I have been stuck for about a year now. Its motivating for me to hear that you are still working hard and have a positive outlook :)
May I just say yours is the best after picture yet. Everyone post horrible before pictures (no make up, sweats, sad face, etc), and an after picture straight from glamour shots. So it takes the focus off the weight loss. You have a REAL LIFE after photo and it looks great! You look great! Well Done!
I have to agree, you are inspiring and you have the best pictures ever!! Don't stop there though, keep going with your life!! Change is good!! Everyday is a great day, It's Your Day!!!!!
Thanks for sharing your story! I've been "talking" about losing weight forever! Now, I just NEED to do something more than talking! It's ridiculous! I can't believe how hard it's been for me to get motivated. But your story has inspired me. I logged my food for today and hope to be able to continue doing it everyday! My goal is to get into these designer jeans my sister got me right before I had my second child - 2 1/2 years ago!
Congratulations you look great!. I sent your story to a friend-.- she is facing a divorce and has weight problems as well.. I´m sure your story is going to motivate her.
you look great! looking forward to being were you are.
i can definitely say my selfesteem is low right now at 195lbs, but since i started calorie count I've lost 12 pounds and this is verry true- EVERY POUND LOST IS A POUND OF CONFIDENCE GAINED, I'm starting to feel better about myself knowing that ill get to my weight goal at 140. thanks for giving me hope.
Looking Good! Man I wish I was as wise as your 12 year old son! You must be a very proud Mom xxx
Good for you! You've done a great job. I love your focus, and I know you'll go the distance. Keep it up!
What a lovely story. Congratulations 
! have 2 sayings here in the UK:
"Every pound lost is a £ in the jar" - every week, after the weigh-in we add the lbs lost as coins in a jar - which gives us a visual image of the weight-lost AND means we have cash to pay for exercise videos or clothes to fit the NEW YOU. (nb breaking some rules, means we have to take a £ back out!)
For the weeks when nothing much happens, or saving 30 calories by having marg instead of butter seems unimportant, we say, " every calories saved is one you don't have to burn"
PM
That is so great !!!! That is a huge achievement I know exactly how you feel tho. I had my son 7 months ago and am a single mother. After I had him I weighed 197. When I saw that number I wanted to die. After failed attempts with other plans I found this sight and made it simple. It really is true you are what you eat. So far I've lost 20 pounds. I have another 37 to go but it's workin !!!! And hope those last 20 pound melt off quick. Great job !!! 
OH COME ON.
Is there some way to moderate memberships to make them prove they aren't a spammer? this is getting ridiculous.
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Congratulations! WOW. You look completely different, and I love your "after" picture - just the action alone shows how much more energy you have. Your son's comment will probably start showing up on bumper stickers.
Way to make lemonade out of a lemony time in your life.