How Lifestyle Changes Helped Me Lose 175 Pounds
Viewing her weight loss journey as a change in lifestyle rather than a diet has helped Lankfordc lose over 175lbs. By using Calorie Count, she found new ways to control her calorie intake and learn more about nutrition. She now really enjoys teaching her whole family about proper health and nutrition.
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?
What prompted me to begin this weight loss journey and lifestyle change was my family's history of cancer, diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. In the past 10 years, I've lost many family members to these illnesses. This made me realize that if I didn't change my lifestyle, I could be next.
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?
I've done diet pills and liquid diets. Actually, I was successful in losing the weight (over a hundred pounds); however after the weight loss I stopped exercising and gained the weight back. I didn't realize I needed a complete lifestyle change. I figured once I lost the weight, then I'm done. I could just pick back up to where I left before I lost the weight and eat like I did before.
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'm very spiritual. My faith in God has no measurement. This started with a simple prayer, "Dear God, Please give me what I need to lose this weight and keep it off." After saying that prayer my job had a 'Biggest Loser' contest. This was the perfect opportunity to get started. Not only did I start this journey, but I convinced my family to start with me. My family and I did research on healthy foods and learnt how to observe the ingredients and nutritional values. We always check the nutritional value on Calorie Count's website. We exercise or workout Monday through Friday. My daily calorie intake is 1500. We actively play sports with each other. One of our biggest changes was no more eating before going to sleep.
4. Please describe how Calorie Count was instrumental to your weight loss.
Calorie Count has been my daily motivation. I read the articles of other members and their weight loss journeys. I'm always checking nutritional values of my foods on the website. Knowing that there's someone out there who I can relate to during this journey really gives me comfort in knowing I can do this. Calorie Count helped change my life.
5. What difficulties did you experience losing weight?
My biggest difficulty in losing weight was proportion sizes. Learning how to change and adjust to the right proportion size of food had been a struggle. My eyes have always been bigger than my stomach. This definitely contributed to me being overweight in the past.
6. How long did it take you to see results? When did you realize that you were a success?
I started seeing results after a few weeks. With a starting weight of 329 lbs, the first few weeks I lost about 30 lbs (mostly water weight).
7. How do you prevent relapse?
To prevent myself from relapsing, I don't totally deprive myself from the foods I once enjoyed. I substitute foods I once enjoyed with foods that are healthier, yet somewhat taste the same. My family and I go out to eat on weekends, yet we order healthier entrées. I weigh myself daily to make sure I am within my 5 pound radius.
8. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
I FEEL AMAZING!!! I sleep well. I have more energy. I feel like the energizer bunny; I keep going and going and going!!
9. How long have you maintained your current weight?
I have maintained my current weight of 153 for about 3 months. This journey started 2 1/2 years ago. My initial goal was 175. I maintained that weight for about 8 months. In January of this year I decided I wanted to lose 20 more pounds, so I increased my workouts and decreased my 2000 daily calories to 1500 calories.
10. What tips do you have for other dieters?
- PRAYER
- Treat this as a lifestyle change, not a diet.
- Research foods and their nutritional values.
- Create an exercise routine daily with music. Avoid allowing yourself becoming comfortable by not exercising.
- Get a partner or family member to join you.
- Pay attention to how your body responds to exercising and eating the right foods or not exercising and eating the wrong foods.
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
Grats, I love these success stories! I would like to mention though that I have never heard anyone say to decrease your daily intake when you increase your exercise, because you will deprive your body of the energy it needs to power through those extra exercises.
Sorry if this seems like I'm criticizing you! I know that things work differently for each of us, and think you're an absolute inspiration! 
Congratulations! You look awsom. keep it up and thanks for sharing your success story. Your story truly inspire me and motivate me. Hugs and God bless you..
This is amazing thanks for sharing. Calorie count has helped me a great deal as well though i tend to go totally off balance when i travel for work. That said i have not given up and hey, the spiritial dimension is helpful too.
You look amazingly beautiful and healthful, congratulations to you on your effort and hard work! God can and will do some pretty amazing things in your life if you let Him!
Congratulations! What amazing changes you made. You look fantastic. Wishing you continued good health and much happiness.
First you look GREAT! Congrats congrats on a job well done. Thanks for all the good advice. Best wishes my friend :) Take care
Great story and congratulations on your success! I completely agree with getting out of the diet mentality and instead deciding to make a lifestyle change one step and one day at a time. I see this as the only way to make long lasting healthy positive changes not only to the body, but to the mind and spirit as well. It's not easy by any means at first, but then again neither is feeling sick and tired and living life on the sidelines and watching everyone else live the life that you too (you collectively speaking) are entitled to. Thank you for sharing your inspiring and motivating story. Keep up the good work and God bless. 
You look absolutely fantastic! Great effort and testament to your hard work and faith. Thanks for sharing your victory!
congratulations, you look amazing! actually i cannot believe the two people are the same. your new body seems so together, haven't you had problems with extra skin?
stay healthy!
Excellent. Praise God. Thanks for sharing. I need to keep seeing photos of people going from being a large/obese person to being a trim healthy person. Even though I can imagine losing the weight, I can't seem to imagine how I will look. could you?
CONGRATS!! You are doing great! You have motivated me to get back on my healrhier way of life.
Thank you for re motvating me.
Did you work out at a gym or at home
Great inspiration! Thank you for sharing your success story. It is really true, pray to God for the help and let him do his work. I needed to hear your story this morning. Thanks again and May God keep on blessing you.
Another success story! AWESOME!!! She said one thing that really stood out to me which was: "My biggest difficulty in losing weight was proportion sizes."
I think this is where I struggled most of all, too! I used to overeat at almost EVERY meal! Now I've learned how to eat half meals so I don't have that issue...as a matter of fact, I now have a hard time over-eating!
SO, cut down your meal sizes and over time you will have trouble eating a lot in EVERY sitting. :-)
Jim ~ HMH
Wonderful... Just a great story about lifestyle changes.. I firmly believe you didnt acquire the weight overnight so stop trying to lose it overnight... keep it up!!!... be blessed
Awesomeness! Thanks for sharing your great journey! These success stories definitely help me a lot. You look happy and healthy!
Wonderful story, and a great transformation! You made the right decision to avoid the illnesses associated with obesity before you develop them, instead of after the way so many of us do. Kudos to you!
Congratulations. I'm stuck at 175 right now and trying to motivate myself to lose the last 25 lbs. You look great!
Wow, you are an inspiration to me. It always gives me courage to see someone who has lost a lot of weight because I have a lot to lose. I love how you put God and prayer first. I always ask God for His help every day in my weight loss battle. I get an email called "Devotions for Dieters" and this helps a lot. Posting my food is the best way for me to realize what I am eating. Thank you for sharing your story. God Bless all of us who are trying to make a difference in our lives.
Great achievement, great story, great tips!
i love it when others cheer there story's ,it help other do better for there self.
thank for sharing ur incredible story ,u did great .
arleen
I love to hear that you have met and exceeded your goal. I am so happy for you. Reading your story made me jump back on my bandwagon(losing weight). I have been wanting to lose weight for a while. But I have finally said, this is it. I have to do this for my family. For my three babies. Thanks again for telling your story. I am sure that it has inspired our CC family to continure on OUR journeys and to NEVER give up.
Have a Blessed day!
you mentioned this is what helped you
I'm always checking nutritional values of my foods on the website. Knowing that there's someone out there who I can relate to during this journey really gives me comfort in knowing I can do this.
so this is what i need desperately finding out nutritional value .
thank you for sharing your success and may god continue with all that you do ...
I think its wonderful that you and your family all have become healthier. Fabulous job, You look healthy, happy, and lovely. May God bless you and your family to continue being healthy.
Congratulations. I am really motivated by your story. I truly believe that the first step is PRAYER. Relaying on strenght outside of yourself. With the help of the Lord Jesus we can achieve amazing results. Your's is a testimony to this effect. This is indeed the gospel. Well done.
congrats. afer i had my son i just went downhill i promised myself that i will not go to the store and buy a bigger size enough is enough. you are really an inspiration.
You Have told my Story and God has sent you to encourage me this day to begin my journey be blessed and pray for me as I press toward the mark of eating heathy.
Original Post by: jacqiepierceYou Have told my Story and God has sent you to encourage me this day to begin my journey be blessed and pray for me as I press toward the mark of eating heathy.
God Bless you Jacqie, you will succeed in eating healthily!
The weight of the world was lifted off you which created a more beautiful you. You go girl!
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Congratulations to you! An amazing transformation.