Lighter and Happier
43lbs lighter, lisayoung909 is thrilled with her new figure. Here she tells us how she made lifestyle changes that included regular exercise, portion control and eating healthier, all of which helped her shed those unwanted pounds.
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?
In April 2009, I moved from the UK to the USA, and was fatter and heavier than I had ever been before. The reputation of America as a 'big-eating nation' frightened me that I was just going to get bigger and bigger and would go back to the UK in 3 years double-sized.
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?
I've always proudly stated that I've never been on a diet! I truly believed I was just big-boned and as I eat plenty of veggies, I was still healthy, so didn't need to diet. This attitude was just masking the fact that I was scared to really try to lose weight and had become unhealthy.
3. What changes did you make to your usual diet, activity, lifestyle, and attitude?
I now go to the gym as often as possible (I aim for 5 times a week, but it is usually 2-3 times). As I prefer team sports, I also joined a soccer team and began playing once or twice a week. I changed my usual breakfast from toast, to fruit and yogurt and I began weighing my servings of pasta, rice, potatoes etc.
4. How did Calorie Count help you to lose weight?
Calorie Count has been invaluable to help me recognize the calorie values of food and help me to make wiser decisions about my food intake. I love the Burn and Eat Meters on my home page and use them to challenge myself to keep a 400-500 gap between them to keep steadily losing weight.
5. What was most challenging about losing weight?
Exercise, exercise, exercise... I haven't got the 'gym bug' and so running on the treadmill is still a chore, but the Burn Meter is a good inspiration to keep going.
6. How long did it take you to see results?
The first 10lbs made no obvious difference, during the next 10lbs I started to feel better and was inspired to continue the exercise. When I had lost 20lbs, my body just seemed to suddenly dramatically change shape. I had a waist again! Now 40+ lbs down, all my trousers simply fall off me and my tops are like tents on me.
7. When did you realize that you were a success?
I went clothes shopping and bought new jeans that weren't the biggest size in the shop, or from a plus-size dept. I had to send my partner to get them in a smaller size. Now I can shop in funky designer stores that previously didn't cater for my size.
8. How do you prevent relapse?
I don't beat myself up about mini-relapses. If I have a bad day food-wise or put-off a gym visit, I let it go and start again tomorrow. I celebrate the success days. Not with food & wine, but I do something I enjoy - like take time for a country walk, a pampering bubble bath, or if money allows maybe get a new hairdo, or new item of clothing.
9. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
I just feel so much better. I'm healthier, can run further & faster, and that has made participating in sports so much more enjoyable. Plus I get compliments all the time.
10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?
- Weigh and eat only the recommended serving size of carbs.
- Find an exercise/sport that you enjoy taking part in.
- Find a 'under 100 calorie treat' that you love (I use Quaker 90 calorie Choc Chunk granola bars).
- Don't beat yourself up about a bad day, just start again.
- Celebrate successes!
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
Congratulations on your success, great story! Just one question though, how long did it take you to loose the 40lbs? My goal is to loose 40lbs as well but it seems like is taking forever! I would like to join a soccer team too but my current weight makes it very hard so I'm looking forward when I can actually be a team member.
You look amazing! I've been working out with Gilad on Fit TV but haven't made a showing yet. I do feel better and hopefully soon it will show.
Thank you so much for the inspiration! Congrats! You look great! My goal is to loose 40+ lbs as well, and sometimes it seems impossible. Your story proves it's not! Thanks so much for sharing!
Good job you look GREAT!!!! Thanks for sharing your story you give me hope!
I know what you mean about not having the 'gym bug' but I got around that by telling myself that I liked going to the gym. I reframed my thinking about the gym from it being a chore to being something I look forward to. It's 'me' time and I can watch whatever I want on TV or read a book while I'm doing cardio.
LisaYoung you look fabulous and I LOVE your healthy attitude. I completely understand your aversion to the gym. I;m trying to get myself to the gym to do weights and have commissioned a friend to force me to go (keep me honest to myself). We'll see how it works.
Yay Lisa!!! You look fabulous!!! Congrats on your success... you have a great attitude that will help you continue on your path! 
Lisa thank you for the inspiration. I need it! You look absolutely fabulous. Can you tell me where to find the Burn and Eat Meter please?
the burn and eat meter are on the " my account" tab page up at the top. you plug in what you ate and what you did that day. it gives u a goal for your calories to burn and a goal for calories to stay under.
Original Post by: tauneesueI would like to know more about .the Burn and Eat Meter?
Thanks
Here you go: http://caloriecount.about.com/cc/help.php?id=43
Great job did you count carbs or calories or both.can you put some example meals and snacks up for us?
Thanks Much
Congratulations on your success! Thanks for the inspiration to exercise more, I needed a boost. 
Just out of curiosity, was it easier to eat healthy in the UK? My husband and I've been cooking a lot of British dishes lately---soups and pies, duck and curries. Next we plan to try goose. Is it easier to get healthy food at restaurants there? I've heard wonderful things about the curry there...
Congratulations on your success. I work in the health insurance industry and have seen the unfortunate consequences of being overweight. In addition to causing poor health overall, it also causes clients to pay a higher premium for their insurance. If clients would spend more money on disease prevention, more time getting informed, and get moving...they could decrease their costs for health care significantly. <a href="http://www.health-plans-nevada.com">Nevada Health Insurance</a>
Hi Folks,
Thanks so much for the lovely comments
Good luck with your own weightloss journeys...
Lisa x
Original Post by: mrpc77Congratulations on your success, great story! Just one question though, how long did it take you to loose the 40lbs? My goal is to loose 40lbs as well but it seems like is taking forever! I would like to join a soccer team too but my current weight makes it very hard so I'm looking forward when I can actually be a team member.
To mrpc77,
In total it took about 6 months to get the 40lbs off. I'm now 2 lbs off ideal weight, so really in 'maintenance mode' rather than trying to lose.
The soccer really helped, when you can play, because I could miss the gym that day and play soccer instead. Try and find a team who aren't too competitive but just enjoy playing the game. In my area (North Virginia/Washington DC) summer is a perfect opportunity to get involved because quite a lot of the local teams play a more relaxed & friendly summer league, which helps to get new players involved. So you could be looking out for a summer league in your area.
Good luck,
Lisa
Original Post by: butterflytwoGreat job did you count carbs or calories or both.can you put some example meals and snacks up for us?
Thanks Much
Hi butterflytwo,
I just used this website to monitor calories, but one of the changes I made to my diet was to weigh the carbs I eat (it makes it more accurate for recording the calories too), so I only eat the recommended 1 serving, ie. 56g of dry pasta, 45g dry rice, whatever it recommends on the box. Potatoes I just weigh, so that I can record the calorie value more accurately and try not to eat the hugest one I can find (like I used to).
I will put some example meals & snacks up (not sure where but I'll investigate the site) but as you'll see a lot of my meals are vegetarian (as my partner is a vegetarian, so I don't eat much meat at home).
Good luck,
Lisa
Original Post by: yamisuiJust out of curiosity, was it easier to eat healthy in the UK? My husband and I've been cooking a lot of British dishes lately---soups and pies, duck and curries. Next we plan to try goose. Is it easier to get healthy food at restaurants there? I've heard wonderful things about the curry there...
Hi yamisui,
There are probably more healthy options in restaurants in the UK, there are certainly more vegetarian options available and not everything comes with a creamy sauce, or a sugary addition. There is a much bigger range of curries available, so again not all are creamy and there are many more spicy, fresh, tangy options.
I guess it probably is easier to eat healthier in the UK, just because home cooking is much more usual, so you can control your ingredients. In the US there are a lot more 'convenience' foods, like the ready prepared veggies in the supermarket, but many of these have high calorie additions, put in, so I avoid them.
It surprises me here though that in a climate where fruit and vegetable should grow so much easier, they are still expensive. It's a shame that it's cheaper to by a 'high calorie ready-meal' than some healthy vegetables to make your own.
Go careful with the pastry on the British pies... 
Lisa
great story! you look great. I'm on my own journey and am about 45 lbs down. I know it is not easy. thanks for sharing with everyone your experience and advice.
Wow great! Im 13 and I want to lose 43 pounds so this really lightened up my day to show its possible. Inspiring.
Good Job, WTG GF!!! 
P.S. u can always leave ur examples meals & snacks in ur journal... As long as ur journal is not on private, we could all read ur examples there ...
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congrats with your success.
I will post mine soon