Feeling Great!
Deeannemiree lost 20lbs by making some simple changes in her eating habits, adding exercise and reaching out for support from her friend. She explains the importance to why she decided to lose weight and how she controls her temptations.
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 have struggled with my weight beginning with college. I gained the dreadful "freshman 15" and I went up and down with my weight from there. I mainly was the girl who always laughed and said "I'm fine with the way I look", when secretly I was depressed about the way I looked. My "Aha" moment came when I was home with my family and a comment was made that I looked "stuffed" in my jogging suit. I was mortified! I thought to myself "stuffed, as in turkey"!!! I knew I had to fix this!
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you
tried in the past?
I have tried so many diets and programs that were successful, but with everything, you have to stick with it to see results. I did weight watchers (hated measuring and meetings). I did the "fat smash diet" and I lost temporarily. I did the grapefruit diet, and Herbalife. Herbalife worked and it gave me the boost that I needed to see results before starting Calorie Count.
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 began my weight loss journey with a friend from my job. We initially said we would wait until January, but after the Thanksgiving comment, we started a little earlier. We both began drinking Herbal life shakes and having salads, fruits, and vegetables. My husband asked me one morning if I was going to eat breakfast, and I told him "no" I was having my shake. His response was "are you going to drink shakes forever?" I really thought about it, and I knew that I needed to learn how to eat with control.
That's when I joined Calorie Count. I enter ALL meals and snacks, even when I have a bad eating day, and I work really hard to get an A on the analysis, but B's are ok too! :) Another element that has helped is getting mobile. My co-workers and I commit to walking in the building at least 3 days a week. My 7 year old daughter also motivates me to play the Wii with her a couple of times a week. (Just dance, Michael Jackson, and Wii fit are big calorie burners just having fun!)
4. Please describe how Calorie Count was instrumental to your weight
loss.
Calorie Count was instrumental because I was afraid to journal my foods at first, but this site makes it too easy not too! At first I was embarrassed by the about of food I was eating each day which made entering it in very hard. After joining Calorie Count, I started paying attention to the labels and really being conscious about the amount of food I was consuming and the nutritional content as well.
5. What difficulties did you experience losing weight?
The most difficult part of losing weight to me is wanting to see results quickly. I am constantly looking in the mirror and wanting to see the numbers decrease on the scale. I have to remember that I didn't gain it all in one day, so it will take a while to see results. Eating out is also a challenge. My husband and I take our children out on weekends, and dining out is inevitable, but making good choices takes serious commitment.
6. How long did it take you to see results? When did you realize that you were a success?
It has taken about 4 months, and I am not at my goal weight yet. I realized I was a success when I went to Target with my daughter. We were looking in the clothing section and my daughter said "mom, those are too big for you!" I looked at the tag and they were a 6. I laughed and said "no dear, mommy is a 10-12!" She encouraged me to try them on and they fit!!! Who knew that mom of a 7 year old and twin 2 year olds could be a 6!
7. How do you prevent relapse?
Preventing relapse is a conscious decision everyday. Hot wings or a nice Chicken Salad? Fried Catfish or baked Tilapia? It's a daily battle! I know that I don't want to ever be in a place again where I only want pictures taken above the waist so that my muffin top doesn't show. I want to stay healthy for my children and for me.
8. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
I feel great about myself, even when I never thought of myself as having esteem problems. I love the way I look in my clothes now! I especially love not feeling self conscious when my husband or children hug me and have to wrap their arms around the most uncomfortable part of me. It feels great to have that feeling behind me now!
9. How long have you maintained your current weight?
So far I have been consistently losing since I've started in November 2010 and still going down 1 lb a week. 5 lbs to go!!!
10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?
- Get yourself an accountability partner to help you stay committed in your weight loss journey.
- If you have a bad eating day, enter it on your log, get over it, and start back again the next day. Don't be defeated!
- Find a fun way to exercise 2-3 times a week. Wii is lots of fun!
- Take pictures of yourself in the same outfit weekly and watch your new body develop before your very eyes.
- Love yourself, and be your biggest cheerleader! Buy a pair of goal jeans and try them on often until you can wear them! I just got into mine!
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
| jennyah19 - Mar 21, 2011 10:49 AM | New Comment |
Congratulations - you look great! I look forward to hearing your tips for maintenance!
On January 3, 2011, I started the Dr. Siegal Cookie Diet weighing in at 225 pounds. To date, I now weigh 200 and plan to lose 30 more pounds by September. I feel great so far. Have anypone of you read the article on CNN,com about the nutrition prof from Kansas State Univ. who lost 28 pounds in 10 weeks by eating Twinkies? The point he wanted to make to his class was it doesn't matter what you eat in order to lose weight, it's the number of calories instead!
Congratulations on your success--you look GREAT! What stands out in your story, and what I really keep getting from all of the success stories, is it takes TIME for the pounds to come off.
I am someone who has pretty much been able to maintain my weight by exercise and eating fairly well--but not counting calories. If I gained a few pounds I would scale back my eating a tad bit and exercise a little harder and I could whip myself back into shape. Now, since turning 40, I have to exercise AND be very aware of how many calories I am eating in order to lose weight. When I was younger I could take any extra pounds off quickly. Since turning 40, quick weight loss just doesn't work. I am learning to be patient and realize that the slower weight loss will give me a better chance at keeping those pesky pounds off as well.
Your story is full of "can-do" spirit and optimism and determination, along with a big dose of common sense. Sometimes I think the mental aspects of losing weight are far more challenging than the actual physical things we have to change. Your story is a testament to keeping focused in a positive way. It just shows. You look great on the outside, but the happy you is there in both pictures. =) Congrats.
Congrats on ur success....u look great!!..keep going and be an inspiration for the family :))...
love to read success stories and follow them as welll....waiting to lose my 30 lbs...
Great job! I am currently the size you were and WOULD be the size you are if I lost 20 lbs also. It's really nice to visualize it. I'm so tired of fluctuating around the same 5 lbs. I need to decide to commit like you did. Thanks for sharing your story!
That's just awesome! You are very inspiring to me....and I just want to loose about 20! You rock!!!
Oh my! You look great. I needed to read your story today. I am glad that you mentioned that the weight loss is gradual. I am still feeling a bit depressed about my appearance. I will keep all that you said in mind. My 9 years old son keeps telling me that I am fat. I know that he is honest so I am looking forward to the day when he says mommy you are slim.
Good luck and continued success!
Original Post by: sheraniOh my! You look great. I needed to read your story today. I am glad that you mentioned that the weight loss is gradual. I am still feeling a bit depressed about my appearance. I will keep all that you said in mind. My 9 years old son keeps telling me that I am fat. I know that he is honest so I am looking forward to the day when he says mommy you are slim.
Good luck and continued success!
I saw your picture and you are being too hard on yourself. It sounds like your 9 yr old might just be being straight up mean to you and not innocently honest as you suggest!
I think my son has always seen me very slim and then within the last two years I gained a significant amount of weight. The threadmill was bought for me one week ago by my husband. He said he does not care what my weight is but he knows that I am sad, so he wanted to help me get back to the 'happy me'. I am round in the middle and trying to improve my appearance and get healthier.
This forum is good for me. I need the support. Thanks for the nice comment.
Original Post by: sheraniI think my son has always seen me very slim and then within the last two years I gained a significant amount of weight. The threadmill was bought for me one week ago by my husband. He said he does not care what my weight is but he knows that I am sad, so he wanted to help me get back to the 'happy me'. I am round in the middle and trying to improve my appearance and get healthier.
This forum is good for me. I need the support. Thanks for the nice comment.
I know it's about what feels good for you. I totally understand. You look good though! Best of luck on your weight loss journey.
Original Post by: davepennstOn January 3, 2011, I started the Dr. Siegal Cookie Diet weighing in at 225 pounds. To date, I now weigh 200 and plan to lose 30 more pounds by September. I feel great so far. Have anypone of you read the article on CNN,com about the nutrition prof from Kansas State Univ. who lost 28 pounds in 10 weeks by eating Twinkies? The point he wanted to make to his class was it doesn't matter what you eat in order to lose weight, it's the number of calories instead!
i don't think twinkies have the same nutritional value as say some carrots, a piece of chicken and a glass of milk.. and it does nothing for teaching one proper lifetime eating habits... but hey if that's your diet of choice...
The professor was the one eating the Twinkies - not me! While he admitts it is not a long-term solution, you wanted to show his undergraduate students that to lose weight, all you have to do is cut the calories regardless of what you eat.
Way to go, DeeAnne! As your friend on this diet journey, I'm extremely proud of you. It's been so motivating bouncing meal and workout ideas off of you and the rest of the gang. You've really been helpful to me during our "lunch bunch" days when Reese Cups were "calling me." See you tomorrow for our walk/run around the building. Keep it up, girl!
Original Post by: jennyah19
Congratulations! You look like you've lost more than 20 lbs!!!! As a new mom this is exactly what I needed to read! My biggest take away "don't be defeated!" Thank you for sharing your story!
Congrats on all the hard work! Dont u feel like u r on top of the world. Being in bettre shape is the best feeling. Just remember to lauugh and have some fun while excercise. I'm doing this race called Rebel Race in 87 days. It has 20 obstacles in it like climbing over wall, jumping over fire, climbing cargo nets, crawling in the mud, and then a party afterwards!
Great job making the changes you needed too! WOW!
Chris
(see my profile for a link to my blog on 130 loss)
I am not sure if I am doing this right. I walk 25 minutes four days a week and I have cut my meal in half.....but I am starving!!
Any recommendations?
I have lost weight by eating 4 steamed vegetables a day: broccoli, green beans, spinach and carrots. I do this 5 days a week. For breakfast, it is oatmeal, raisins, rasberries and blueberries. I have a light dinner. Two days of the week, I eat out. I log my calories every day in calorie count and can predict if my weight goes up. Thanks to calorie count.
More important, my blood sugar dropped from 105 (pre-diabetes) to 95 (normal). Also my chlorestrol was 210 (high) and now is 165 (normal). Thanks to the activity on Calorie count, I can adjust my fiber, cholestrol and carb intake.
you look great! I am just beginning. I get discouraged easily. I feel like I have carried around this post baby weight for years. It's time for the "me" weight to begin. I am so ready and realize it is going to be hard. I just want to see results to be sure i am actually progressing. When i don't i feel like I am going nowhere. reading your story helps me to continue to move on...thanks
You look so pretty! It's hard to believe you're a mom with a very smart 7-year-old! Thank you for sharing your story & tips ... I'm just starting and it is so hard to be patient ...
What a great story - thanks for sharing! I'm so impressed and motivated by your hard work and positive attitude :)
Congratulations! You look great! I love the tips!
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