Keeping Your Eyes on the Prize
Micmoor’s conversation with his doctor about his high cholesterol and a history of heart attacks in his family prompted him to change his lifestyle. He has lost 63lbs by revamping his eating habits and adding exercise to his daily routine.
He 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?
In June 2009, I reviewed my cholesterol test results with my doctor. My total cholesterol was 249, much higher than it should have been for a 35-year-old man. Having lost my father to a heart attack when he was 41, the news about my cholesterol caught my attention. I realized I couldn’t keep eating whatever I wanted. I had to make some changes to my lifestyle and apply some effort to my health.
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?
My wife and I had done Wieght Watchers together around eight years ago and I lost 35 pounds. But over time I gained that weight back and then some.
3. What changes did you make to your usual diet, activity, lifestyle, and attitude?
My doctor referred me to a dietician who helped me come up with some ideas to try to replace what I was eating with healthier, lower calorie options. She asked me to simply drop 500 calories a day from my usual routine. In past attempts to lose weight I relied on my wife to prepare my food. She prepared it and I would eat it and I would lose weight. But this time I didn’t want to depend on someone else, so I committed to a new eating plan and I began preparing my breakfast and lunch and started taking my food to work each day.
4. How did Calorie Count help you to lose weight?
I wanted a way to track my calories so I ended up finding this great website – Calorie Count. In the beginning, I logged everything I ate, but that became tiresome quickly so I began using the site for two simple things: looking up calorie information when I was unsure about something and logging my weight. I weigh myself daily and I enter my weight in the website. It tracks total weight loss and charts my progress. I find it helpful to have this daily checkpoint.
5. What was most challenging about losing weight?
The most challenging thing for me was being patient and giving myself time to see results.
6. How long did it take you to see results?
I lost weight in my first week which wasn't surprising given the dramatic change in eating and the addition of exercise to my lifestyle.
7. When did you realize that you were a success?
I realized I was a success after about three months when I had lost thirty pounds and was continuing to lose weight. I also noticed my personal training sessions were paying off, because I could feel muscle tone in places where I previously did not.
8. How do you prevent relapse?
I stay focused on the progress I've made and the goals I still have for myself. I've come to really enjoy exercise and weight training so when I experience any moments of weakness, I read some articles on Calorie Count for inspiration.
9. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
Life was good before but now it's even better. I feel stronger and more energetic. I feel better about myself and more confident in work and social settings.
10. What tips do you have for other dieters?
- I'd recommend being patient and believing that great results aren't just for other people, that you'll get there too, in time.
- Also, diet alone would not have worked for me - weight training was a key to my success.
- Don't rely on other people to feed you the right food - you can do it on your own but it will take effort.
- Schedule exercise time like it's an appointment and don't let people move it on your calendar.
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
Thanks, Jenpnc. I think weight loss is tough for guys - admitting that you weigh too much and want to do something about it might feel like an admission of weakness for a man. But it’s certainly worse to be macho and do nothing about your health. Taking personal responsibility for my weight loss was key for me. I think it’s great that your husband has taken charge of his situation and that he’s talking to his friends about it.
Welldone! Great to see you looking so fit and healthy, you look years younger. I have just started calorie count and I am amazed by how much I was eating. I think this is a great website as you don't feel like you are dieting - you are just being aware of when to stop eating!!!
Congrats! That is awesome. I am sure you must be very happy with yourself….just remember to avoid going back to the old lifestyle that got you in trouble in the first place!
These are great tips! My husband just started losing weight because his job in the military requires him to be at a certain weight. I started helping him by cooking all of his meals and keeping him motivated by going with him to the gym most days. Now I'm definitely going to try and get him to start planning some of his own meals, so he can really get into a healthy lifestyles. I think what's hardest about losing weight is realizing that health is a way of life, not just something you can do for a year and then stop...and it's more about being healthy, like in preventing heart disease, than looking thin. Thanks for the motivation! Good luck with your future weight loss goals.
Congrats Micmoor. Great job.
And thanks Calorie Count for providing these inspirational stories.
Hey elliott352 - I feel EXACTLY the same way, this is not a diet at all. I eat what I want, I just make sure it all fits into my daily target number. This site has been a real eye-opener for me as to how much I was eating before!
Original Post by: lizhudThanks for the good reminders. Patience is difficult and I find that when I run out, I also run toward food which, of course, only makes things worse. I also have the bad habit of putting work and other "important" things on my schedule and figure I'll fit in exercise; treating it on the same level as other activities is a reminder that can't be said too often. As you make clear, working on ourselves is important--life-changing and life-affirming, in fact. Congratulations!
For my first six months, I had personal trainer sessions three times a week and so I really had to treat it like a business meeting or doctor's appointment and not move it or risk paying for sessions that I didn't use. So I made it work, and eventually saw the results. Hang in there!
Original Post by: elcharisThese are great tips! My husband just started losing weight because his job in the military requires him to be at a certain weight. I started helping him by cooking all of his meals and keeping him motivated by going with him to the gym most days. Now I'm definitely going to try and get him to start planning some of his own meals, so he can really get into a healthy lifestyles. I think what's hardest about losing weight is realizing that health is a way of life, not just something you can do for a year and then stop...and it's more about being healthy, like in preventing heart disease, than looking thin. Thanks for the motivation! Good luck with your future weight loss goals.
Having spent some time in the Army National Guard, I know the weight standards for military service can feel difficult so tell him to hang in there. Weight is something we can all get in control if we put enough focus on it. Expecting that it's not going to be easy and that it will take time to see results gave me the determination to keep going and not fall off the wagon.
Thanks for your feedback, everyone. Sharing my story has been a rewarding experience and an easy way to give something back to this community that inspires me daily!
Congratulations on your success, Micmoor.
"Schedule exercise time like it's an appointment and don't let people move it on your calendar"
That is the key for me being able to see and to continue to get positive results on my lifestyle-change journey. My exercise time is a "standing meeting"; change is allowed only if and when I decide the change.
How do you deal with setbacks? Since I don't have a lot of weight to lose, whenever I eat something that has more calories, I gain a pound.
Congratulations Micmoor
Me, for some reason I have wobbly knees this morning, (meaning wanting to nibble) and Not good but true but good part is I haven't yet 
. I have just spotted your arrticle and wow I thought he his so true about being patient and for some funny reason I'm not patient when it comes to my weight. I am with everything else for I am a Mum, hehe. Thanks Micmoor I will go and have a black coffee instead, hey have a great day and I feel better now, thanks.
Original Post by: cynsopHow do you deal with setbacks? Since I don't have a lot of weight to lose, whenever I eat something that has more calories, I gain a pound.
I try to take everything in stride.. I have no deadline for my weight loss. I intend to make this my new way of living so there's no rush and, in time, I know I'll achieve my goals. And you should remember that your daily weight is going to fluctuate somewhat because of your water weight so plus or minus a pound or two each day is normal. So hang in there and don't get discouraged.
Original Post by: janicej2Congratulations on your success, Micmoor.
"Schedule exercise time like it's an appointment and don't let people move it on your calendar"
That is the key for me being able to see and to continue to get positive results on my lifestyle-change journey. My exercise time is a "standing meeting"; change is allowed only if and when I decide the change.
You are absolutely right! You're in control of your calendar and exercise is just as important as anything else, if not more so...
Original Post by: robynebCongratulations Micmoor
Me, for some reason I have wobbly knees this morning, (meaning wanting to nibble) and Not good but true but good part is I haven't yet
Glad my story could help.... I have cravings too some times so I've just had to find new ways to satisfy them... I don't know where I'd be without frozen yogurt!
Good going Micmoor,
The relapses are what's really getting to me now. How do you survive weekends? I manage quite well during the week, but weekends are just all the way downhill. Anyone with any bright ideas on staying focussed through the weekends?
I had a bad hair do after all but its ok I will be back on track in the morning. Thats the break at times, such is life. Nite
Original Post by: fatsyGood going Micmoor,
The relapses are what's really getting to me now. How do you survive weekends? I manage quite well during the week, but weekends are just all the way downhill. Anyone with any bright ideas on staying focussed through the weekends?
I try to plan for weekends just like I do for weekdays but it is tough so if I do plan a cheat meal, it's usually a great dinner on Saturday night. Some diet advice recommends having one cheat meal a week so I try not to be too hard on myself if I indulge. Hang in there...
I use to fret about falling off the wagon but now I try to say to myself not to beat myself up for we are only human. I think the secret is to enjoy your evening out and go back strict the next morning and carry on. Just my thoughts.....
Thanks for the great success story. It is a great encouragement to read testimonies like this. The advice you have given is much appreciated.
wow i love hearing about all your success stories, so awesome!!! have any of you tuned in to "The Biggest Loser" or "Losing It with Jillian Michaels"? these two shows have really helped me get motivated for summer and feel great!!! good luck with everyone, keep up the hard work!
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Don't rely on other people to feed you the right food - you can do it on your own but it will take effort.
Such excellent advice, Micmoor; and exactly what my husband discovered...when he started logging his calories himself, and taking a more focused interest in what he was eating, it made a huge difference in all aspects of his weight loss/fitness goals. Knowledge is power! In fact, he just told a friend of his, who had been in Weight Watchers (then gained lbs back) about this site.
Effort is what gets results-mental as well as physical. I can't imagine having meals delivered to me when I am perfectly capable of learning how and then producing food that tastes much better than anything mass-produced. The simple joy of making a great, healthy meal is also a major psychological boost!