I've Never Felt Better!
Beachadwriter’s journey to weight loss started several years ago. In her story she discusses how learning portion control and adding daily exercise has helped her shed 116lbs. Read on for her weight loss tips, all taken from her own experiences.
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?
Being in my early 40's and told by a new doctor, "Congratulations, you are a raging diabetic" certainly got my attention. My daughter was only 18 months old and I knew I had to vow to change my life if I wanted to be around to see her grow up.
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?
Gracious! I was a chubby child....my parents started me on my first diet in elementary school. Primarily cutting back on food. I was a severe asthmatic as a child, so couldn't exercise. My dad made fun of me when I took ballet...claiming I wore a four-four rather than a too-too. Painful words to a child.
3. What changes did you make to your usual diet, activity, lifestyle, and
attitude? What was the most important change?
The biggest most important change was learning portion control and daily exercise. As someone said to me recently, "The 18th Hershey's kiss doesn't taste any better than the first 2." How right they are! I truly believe exercise is the fountain of youth. I am in the gym 4-5 days a week, hour and a half at a time. I've never felt better in my life.
4. How did Calorie Count help you to lose weight?
Being able to input specific foods and ingredients to come up with a calorie count was so very helpful. That and some of the tips that arrived via email. God send!
5. What was most challenging about losing weight?
Not weighing every single day and feeling guilty about a 1-2 lb. shift in weight. Sometimes you just hold more water, and of course, fluctuation is simply a part of life.
6. How long did it take you to see results?
I have lost weight fairly gradually over 10 years. The last lump (from 278 to 195) came over the past 4 years. I have finally learned to eat like my slim teenage daughter. One plate, one portion, period. No seconds.
7. When did you realize that you were a success?
I knew I was a success when people passed me that had known me in the past without recognizing me. Happened twice very recently. People can't believe the new and improved me!
8. How do you prevent relapse?
Stay in the gym, watch every bite I put in my mouth. I have FINALLY broken the cycle of emotional eating. This was a biggy for me!
9. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
I feel normal. I am smaller than I was in high school! I actually wear a misses size for the first time in my adult life. I am truly blessed.
10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?
- Write down every bite you put in your mouth.
- Exercise every single day, even if it's a simple walk or bike ride.
- Learn to love yourself no matter what the scale says.
- Eat green and fresh!
- Learn to love exercise. It is a Godsend to MOVE!
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 BEAUTIFUL!! WELL done, girl. You are an inspiration, a prime example that there's no need to be overweight, limited in your capabilities, a couch potato, or "tied down" by your own body. I'm impressed. Get out there and kick some butt, girl. Enjoy yourself, and be PROUD. We're all proud of you!!
Very nice ! I can tell you are mentally transformed and I can see how wonderful you look !!!Great inspiration. I need to get to where you are mind and soul.Congrat's!
Thank you so much for sharing your story. To me it's even more helpful to have someone share their story when it has taken a long time to get to target. I am forty five pounds lighter than when I strted out and it has taken me nearly two years to lose that much. I'm hoping this year I am going to see off the remaining thirty or so pounds I needs to lose. So reading about other people who may have have taken a while to shift the excess is encouraging. It was beginning to feel as though everyone else but me managed a huge weight loss in 12 months!
You look so happy and absolutely fantastic now, thank you so much for sharing x
I loved reading your story and you are looking great! I especially liked your goal to stay healthy to watch your daughter grow up... We all need big goals to get through the tough times.
I released the first 40 and am on the last ten or so... I agree that its a godsend to move. I haven't made friends with a gym but love my walks and bike rides. I also liked what you said about LOVE YOURSElf no matter what the scale says.
Congratulations to you and HURRAH for your loving yourself enough to take care of your body so well.
Thank you for sharing your inspirational story! We all need to see that it can be done, and more amazing than your loss of weight is the positive attitude you have about activty and your zest for life comes out in your comments.
Wow, you look fantastic! Great job, and we know it only gets harder as we get older, so you get an extra pat on the back!! It sounds like you've got all the tools for success, and you're doing all the right things. I agree that writing down everything you eat, no matter how seemingly insignificant, is key when trying to lose or maintain weight. It's so easy to go overboard without realizing it. Good luck, but it sounds like you're doing fine without my best wishes :-)
Awesome job on getting moving! So great! I moved my way to 130 pounds down and its such a blessing!
Chris
see my profile to a link to my blog
"My dad made fun of me when I took ballet...claiming I wore a four-four rather than a too-too."
UGGGH. Can anyone hear that from their father and just shrug it off? So many eating disorders start from these seemingly innocuous comments. It's awful.
Thanks for the reminder about weight fluctuations. I saw a 3 lb rise the last time I was on the scale and got really bummed out. I knew this couldn't be possible as the lower weight had been consistent over the past week.
Congratulations! I was 13 years old and 17 pounds overweight and my doctor told me I was obese. I'd give anything to be that weight now. Still the same height and waaaayyy past that number on the scale. I hope you will keep it off and I hope I can join you on being smaller than in school. Keep up the good work!
waow.........!!thats amazing......!!:)
your story resembles my story............Congratulations.............!!!
am on way ov my Journey to lose some extra 10pounds too..........
do pray
wish you good luck!!
I loved your story--congratulations on your current and continued success. What an inspiration. I agree exercise is key (every little bit helps) and loving ourselves no matter what the scale says.
You look great and a great reason to be smiling so beautifully as you are. This is an awesome website with the food and exercise logs and everything!
You look amazing! Your success is my inspiration....so far, I am only at 28 pounds lost, but am taking each day as it comes. Logging my intake certainly makes me more accountable...
Congratulations on your new body!
Thank you so much for sharing your story - I am so proud of you! And thank you for your list of 5 tips - they are very inspiring.
great job.. You look great:) I know you feel better and so proud of your weight loss and being healthy
You have such a wonderful story .. I know how it is to be a heavy child and have you parents say mean things to you , not knowing they are hurting you .. My parents favorite thing was to call me baby blimp . I don't think how much these things can impact us as adults . I am trying to loose 100 lbs myself .. I have managed to take off 10 in a 5 weeeks and it sure seems it is a lot harder taking it off then to add it .. Thanks for sharing with us .. Lisa
Wow thats an inspiration as I am just starting out and need to lose a lot of weight. This is my first day on calorie count! Thanks for sharing.
Oh my gosh! I didn't realize my story had posted. Many, many thanks to all for the kudos and compliments. If I can do, anyone can. It does NOT happen overnight. I wish each and every one every bit of success. If I can help in any way, please shoot me a line. Oh yes, and if you have an overweight child, be easy on them. Feed them green. Teach them great eating. My beautiful daughter is tall and slender because I started her eating right and exercising very, very early in life. I knew I never wanted her to fight the same battle that I have. Luck and love to all!
You and your story are awesome! I especially love the aspect of teaching your daughter the healthy habits. I am very happy that my children have not battled weight as I have however, they still need healthy habits and there is room for improvement there. Maybe I can inspire them yet. As for me, I get discouraged easily and stay stupid busy with work. Your words and advice are very encouraging! Thanks for sharing, maybe someday I will have a success story to share too.
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You look wonderful!!! Congratulations on your accomplishment!