Hooked on Exercise
Having been overweight for most of her life, Traineraubs realized she had the power to change her lifestyle. Her weight loss journey began with adopting a very active dog. Then she switched her focus to her eating and exercising habits. In her story she tells us that there were some major emotional obstacles. However, she’s conquered them and successfully lost 111lbs.
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 rescued a dog from animal control and little did I know...he was a demon dog! He was such a bad dog but I didn't have the heart to take him back. I vowed to walk him an hour everyday to help drain some of his energy. I lost about 10 pounds in one month, and at that point I was hooked on exercise!
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?
In the past I had tried diets with my mom, including some liquid diets, and one where I ate a lot of chicken and green beans....and not much else.
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 started by walking, just an hour every day. I cut out soda and fast food which was very hard for me, but after about 2 weeks I was feeling much better. I then joined a gym to start doing very basic weight training. Once these changes became just a part of my day I looked more into nutrition and started to count calories and ate about 1500-1600 a day. I wrote down my exercise and calories and planned meals and workouts. I wrote positive quotes on my workout sheets to help motivate me. I can't say that any one change I made was more important than another. I think the most important thing I did is make changes and set goals that were attainable and not drastic.
4. Please describe how Calorie Count was instrumental to your weight loss.
I used calorie count to help log calories and it was very helpful. It's hard to know how many calories you are burning but it is very simple to know how many calories you consume if you actually do it!
5. What difficulties did you experience losing weight?
I didn't hit any significant plateaus, but I did become emotionally frustrated throughout my weight loss. After losing the first 50 pounds, I became self conscious about my stretch marks and flab due to the sudden loss of volume. I fortunately had my fiancé to remind me that I had been overweight so long and it was going to take time. He kept me patient. I also had resentment and anger towards my parents because I felt they didn't do enough to model good behavior for me and my brother. I was angry for a long time that they allowed me to be so obese and not try to help. I now see the past as the past and I am an adult now with the capability to learn how to treat my body right. Most of the difficulties I faced during my weight loss were purely emotional.
6. How long did it take you to see results? When did you realize that you were a success?
I saw results within the first month. After the bulk of my weight was gone and I decided to study to become an ACE Certified personal trainer. I realized that I wasn't the fat girl anymore. I am a fit, healthy, active person.
7. How do you prevent relapse?
I prevent relapse by counting calories (not every single little itty bitty calorie, but rather an estimation) I eat a diet mostly consisting of fresh fruit and vegetables, lean meat and fish, and whole grains. I do not eat much processed foods. I walk daily, do metabolic conditioning and cross training, and lift weights.
8. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
My life has changed in every way. I am now a personal trainer!! The only thing that hasn't changed is the man who has been in my life for this entire journey, my boyfriend then...now fiancé! He has been supporting my new lifestyle from day 1.
9. How long have you maintained your current weight?
I have maintained my current weight for a year and a half.
10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?
- Eat mindfully.
- Don't be afraid of weights.
- Move as often as you can.
- Have fun with everything you do.
- Surround yourself with people who value the goals you've set for yourself.
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 are gorgeous and absolutely incredibly motivating!
Thank you so much for sharing your story.
Congratulations on your amazing achievements!
Congrats on your results and you look great! Those are great tips that will definitely help to motivate others.
Keep up the great work!
Ah, the power of dogs, even demon dogs. What an uplifting story. Thanks for sharing it with us. Sounds like you have jettisoned the baggage of the past and are adding positive things to your lifestyle and future. All the best to you and your fiance. By the way, how did the dog turn out?
Congratulations, traineraubs! What a great story. How inspiring that your journey also led you to become a personal trainer now helping others to live a healthy lifestyle. All the best to you.
Thank you for sharing your story.
It certainly makes me reflect on the emotional side of eating. We have to realize that parents do the best they can with the "tools" they have. Even being raised with "perfect" parents is no guarantee that a child won't make some pretty bad choices.
Truth is, we don't truly become functional adults and break the chains of a "flawed" rearing until we assume full responsibility for all aspects of our emotional, physical, financial and spiritual lives. Learning to forgive is key to breaking the bondage of the past.
Congratulations, you are well on your way. You make us all proud.
kudos!! u look so wonderful and healthy!! 
ur answer for no. 5 struck me tho. for one, so jealous u didn't have significant plateaus, that's great! it's rough when u do tho. but more importantly- I always thought my parents did well with the food when we were growing up & thought they taught me good things (like lots of skim milk & never had sugary kids cereals thankfully- just cheerios, kix, raisin bran, etc). but now, with what I've learned, I do resent that they didn't teach me better (there were no limits- my mom was depression era & was trained to clean her plate as a kid). Can't believe how much soda I drank- ugh! It's frustrating but I don't know if I resent them like that. looking back, my parents were told lots of bad information- the last 50 yrs of American diet was very misguided & misinformed. Ur parents prob thought they were doing right and caring for u and making sure u didn't go without. ur a wonderful, beautiful young lady and may be better for what you've gone thru ;)
Great story! I really admire what you have done with your life. Heyha, above hit it right on the head. I can't improve on her note. You inspire me.
Congratulations! Keep up the excellent work! Do turn your anger towards your parents around, let it go.1 I'm sure you are now an inspiration to them! You are in control of your weight and also your emotions. Well done!
Woo-hoo, look at the hotness! You look gorgeous and healthy! Thanks for your story, I'm working on losing about the same amount of weight. It's good to know it can be done. Way to go!
Figuring out what a personal responsibility weight, fitness, and sense of well-being are is a valuable lesson! Good for you!
Trainerubs,
Congrats! You look amazing---your confidence and positive attitude are impressionable. It's great to see that you are using your life changes to help others.
Heyha, you have a very unique perspective on parenting "Ur parents prob thought they were doing right and caring for u and making sure u didn't go without." This probably rings true in many households...I never thought of it that way. I often get irritated with parents who allow their children to eat portions that are overboard. But, it never really occurred to me that, perhaps, providing an abundance food is the one way those parents (in their own way) ensure their children are provided for. Thank you for helping me be a bit more open-minded.
I just want to say that even when your eating habits are good, it's still hard to lose. I have a handicap that reduces the amount I exercise. Exercise is the habit that makes the difference. Congratulations!
That's my trainer!!!! She does an AWESOME job! She keeps me motivated, pushes me to new limits, has taught me about nutrition and understands the life of an over weight person. I am very grateful to have her as my trainer! Thanks!!!
wow what a great turn around ! it really gave me that hello "get on it" moment . thanks for sharing
God bless you for sharing your story. I am so proud of you for your success. You inspired me at over50 to work with my daughter more on her weight loss journey.Charity does begin at home. I just lost 17 lbs with 110 more to go. She needs to lose 40lbs. Thanks to your story I am inspired to help her more. You rock and continue to"Pay It Forward" as a trainer. You WILL be great at it.
Such a healthy journey and transformation. You look like a model. And congratulations on your engagement!
Original Post by: hobbbsCongratulations on your success! I would like to believe that by rescuing your dog, you set in motion the karma that brought you to your goal. Sometimes by saving another life, we save our own as well. And now you are helping other people achieve their fitness goals...all I can say is, Well done YOU! :-)
Your story is similar to my own. I rescued my sweet doggy a year and half ago and it was then I started my weight loss journey. Daily walks set me in motion . put me back into excersise mode, and then I added portion control and calorie counting . I have lost approx 35lbs in that time. 10 more to go!
thanks for your heart warming story!
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Congratulations on your success! I would like to believe that by rescuing your dog, you set in motion the karma that brought you to your goal. Sometimes by saving another life, we save our own as well. And now you are helping other people achieve their fitness goals...all I can say is, Well done YOU! :-)