Losing Weight for Better Health
Having a heart attack was the health scare that inspired Mizkay to lose her weight. Her story is very motivating, not only did she lose weight but her husband jumped on board as well. Together they are an inspiration to us all as they demonstrate how dramatically we can improve our health, fitness and enjoyment of life with the right approach and the right attitude. Mizkay has lost 125lbs and has been maintaining her weight for four months.
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?
My "Aha!" moment would be lying flat on my back in a hospital bed after having a heart attack at the age of 55. So for me, it was literally "do or die". My dad had a heart attack at 55, and my mom at 65. Neither one of them made it to the their next birthday.
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?
I had lost weight a couple of times in my 20 and 30's by dieting, but the weight always returned when I went back to my old eating habits. My "before" exercise program consisted of jogging my memory, running off at the mouth and jumping to conclusions. It was not very effective in losing weight.
My husband had tried to lose weight a couple of time, but never by dieting, only by increasing his activity level. But then he would have an injury or life interfered and that would be the end of that. So we each had part of the equation.
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?
My husband and I both started exercising and being very careful about what we ate. We went on this program together and that made it so much easier. I read a lot of labels at the grocery store. We kept trying different types of food and different recipes until we found healthy foods we could enjoy. We also researched restaurants before we went out. When we ordered at the restaurants we started to be very particular about our food - dressing on the side, hold the mayo and substituting vegetables for fries.
We both started wearing pedometers and recording our steps every day. The first week (about 3 months into my weight loss program), my average steps per day was about 4000, now my average is about 14,000.
My husband lost 70 pounds in about 8 months and I lost 125 pounds in a year and a half.
4. Please describe how Calorie Count was instrumental to your weight loss.
I started doing calorie count a few weeks after coming home from the hospital after the heart attack. It helped me keep track of my nutrients. One of the surprisingthings I learned was that I was not even close to having enough calcium in my diet, so I started taking a calcium supplement. One of the things we really liked about calorie count is that you pick your custom values for your food. Since I had already had a heart attack, I had to be very careful about saturated fat. My husband has hypertension, so he has to be careful about salt.
The forums are also very helpful because you realize you are not the only one going thru this. And you can get some good advice from people who have been there.
5. What difficulties did you experience losing weight?
Plateaus are frustrating and the whole weight loss experience can be very emotional. I was lucky because I didn't really encounter much plateauing until I was more than halfway to my goal. I don't think I could have done this on my own, without my husband being on the same plan and being so supportive.
6. How long did it take you to see results? When did you realize that you were a success?
Before I saw results, I felt results. I could walk more than two blocks without getting tired, I could go up stairs without being out of breath, my knees didn't hurt all the time, my blood sugar dropped out of the prediabetic range into the normal range.
For me, the single most exciting moment was getting under 200 pounds. I think it had been at least 2 decades since I had been to one-derland and I had a silly grin on my face for at least two weeks.
It was very rewarding to get new (smaller) clothes every couple of months. After I had lost more than 100 pounds, I also lost a shoe size. So the only clothes I can still wear from before are my socks. I still find that pretty amazing.
7. How do you prevent relapse?
I never thought of this as a diet and exercise program that I would be graduating from, it is a new lifestyle. There is no food that tastes as good as shopping in the regular size section feels. There is no treat as delicious as being able to walk without pain.
8. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
A lot of people don't recognize me, at least not until I start talking. I feel so much more energetic, I can keep up with my grandkids.
I don't shop in the plus size departments anymore. I also have a lot more clothes.
9. How long have you maintained your current weight?
I have for about four months, my husband is coming up on a year of maintaining his weight.
10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?
- Think of this as a new lifestyle, not a diet or exercise program.
- Try some new foods, so you are replacing some of your former foods, not just giving them up.
- Set goals that you are in control of, such as "I will eat a healthy breakfast every day" or "I will average 10,000 steps a day for a week" instead of I will lose two pounds every week. Sometimes the scale is not your friend.
- Celebrate the small victories along the way. Don't wait to get new size clothes, even if you pick them up at a thrift store.
- Be patient and don't let minor setbacks discourage you. After all, you are probably losing weight much faster than you gained it.
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
I'm so happy for your success,but I'm sad you had to go through so much pain to get there. There is diabedes in my family. After watching these people go through hell, I decided to stop the cylcle. I have since lost 124 lbs.,quit drinking and smoking. I feel so much better to say the least. The changes you have made are amazing, so keep up with them and God bless you both
COngratulations at getting your health back and congratulations to your husband for getting on board. It so helps when you have support and everybody in the house is eating the same. :)
Great story! I have heart disease also. After 6 heart stents, I decided I really wanted to live and adopted a new lifestyle of nutrition and exercise. The scales at one time said 308; they now say 184. My mantra is "Diets don't work", you really do have to adopt a lifestyle that you can live with. I didn't set weight loss goals to attain, my goal was to have some sort of caloric deficit everyday by eating properly. Thanks for the story, very inspirational. Best to you and your husband on your journey!
so cool and WOW for both of you! Lifestyle change is such a good tip!
Way to go!
Chris
(link to my blog and success story 130lbs in my profile)
This is awesome! I'm smiling like crazy looking at the photo of you two! Well done... i'm inspired!! Best wishes to you both :)
Congratulations to you both. What an inspiring story. May you have decades together to enjoy your good health.
Thank you for sharing your story. I really love your "5 tips," especially the one about setting goals that are more under your control, like "I will eat a healthy breakfast every day." That is such a positive approach to goal setting. Great advice!
"Be patient and don't let minor setbacks discourage you. After all, you are probably losing weight much faster than you gained it."
That is exactly what I needed to hear today. Thank you so much for sharing your inspirational story. You both look wonderful and are great reminders that it can be done!
Wow .. Amazing!! What exercising are you doing? I'm trying to do the couch to 5K . .may take me a while to get there :)
YAY! That is amazing you both look great and Im sure are much healthier! Congrats!
Awesome job! My husband has jumped on board with me and so we are focusing on weightloss together. It is really nice to have some encouragement so close.
Congratulations to both you! I will be sending this link to my husband and hopefully your story will serve as an eye opener for him. It has been a month now since I started serving healthier meals and counting calories but I'm not sure if it has sunk in his head that this is not temporary. I hope he realizes that this is not a 'diet plan' nor 'exercise program' but a change in lifestyle to be healthy, happy and have prolonged lives for both of us.
I'm glad to hear you and your husband are on the same "health" team. My wife and I are too. I'm only about 1/3 toward my goal (down 30+ so far). My wife lost about 70 lbs after being pregnant. The main thing that I believe that is important to keep in mind is that this is not a "diet". (you made this point) It seems that this is really more of a "transformation" of the mind and lifestyle and the body just goes along with it. We can't look at our "diet" as a restriction or somehow like living in culinary austerity mode. Somehow we must find a way to be happy with a new lifestyle knowing that we're doing the right thing by keeping a positive focus. I'm loving eating more fish and veggies. I've lost 50+ lbs twice before and gained it back twice before. I don't want to do it again. The reason that I gained it back was because I went on a "diet", short term thinking. I don't want to "diet" anymore. I want to change my life. I have a young son now. He wants me to chase him and play. I'm able to do so, but not without much joint pain. With 30+ off so far, it is getting easier. With another 70 lbs off, my son won't be able to catch me! (-;
Sheila, I am so happy for you and your family! I am sure that your commitment to a healthier lifestyle has affected a number of people. And I have to tell you that I simply love your style - it is obvious by your story that you have a great sense of humor. Your "before" exercise routine made me laugh out loud! ["My "before" exercise program consisted of jogging my memory, running off at the mouth and jumping to conclusions. "] I am sure it was a big help as you worked each day to your new self. Congratulations!
The Dynamic Duo! Thanks for sharing your story. May you walk this path together for many years to come.
Love the idea of reaching "one-derland!" I hope to be there by the end of next year. Also love the insight that I'm losing weight much faster than I gained it. I do love seeing that downward slope on the caloriecounter weight log. Amazing how it actualy does correlate with the calories-in vs calories-out log: I always thought my metabolism was to blame.
you guys look absolutely amazing! love your smile, your attitude, and your great sense of humor :)
congrats to u and ur husband new lifestyle change another motivational story for me
Congratulations! I need the stories that are shared to keep me inspired and you are a blessing! Thanks so much.
As for exercise, I started with walking and also the elliptical. I had a knee replacement about 4 years ago and the elliptical is easier on the knees. I am hoping that the weight loss will help me to NOT need the other knee replaced. So far so good. I also do some weight type machines, but I started with small hand weights.
I did do a 5K walk/run, partway thru my weight loss journey. I walked. The only action behind me after the first 1K was a truck picking up the traffic cones! But I finished.
Original Post by: frygirl01Thank you for sharing your story. I really love your "5 tips," especially the one about setting goals that are more under your control, like "I will eat a healthy breakfast every day." That is such a positive approach to goal setting. Great advice!
I agree, I'm going to try this from now on 
I usually get so discouraged when the scale doesn't move, or worse, it goes in the wrong direction! I have a pedmoeter, I think I'll try using that and setting goals for steps. I need to walk my dogs more anyway!
WOW! You both look great & even LOOK happier! Such a good story. Congratulations & thanks for sharing!
Most people think they can just starve themselves to lose weight but you can't do that because your body will go into something called starvation mode. What happens is your body will slowly eat itself. If you want to know why you can't starve yourself to lose weight, this article gives a great explanation on it.
explainlikeakid.blogspot.com/2011/10/why-you-cant-starve-you rself-to-lose.html
Original Post by: snacker_chrisso cool and WOW for both of you! Lifestyle change is such a good tip!
Way to go!
Chris
(link to my blog and success story 130lbs in my profile)
Ugh, I'm getting really tired of this silliness, snacker_chris, do you have to spam every single success story with your own? It's so annoying!
To the actual subject of this article, congratulations! Both of you look so much better, and the best thing of course is that both of you will stay around a little longer, to enjoy the company of those who love you. I love the little puns, btw. You sound like an amazing couple.
This is the best thing I have read for awhile! Thank you, this is so inspirational.
Congratulations to you and your husband! Amazing!
Thanks. I had to laugh at your idea of 'exercise",mine was close...reach out, grab food, place in mouth: chew, chew, chew. (But your sense of humour shines thru. Yes, this is a life style change and I love that idea. For some reason it is not as depressing as the idea of being on a diet. Not sure why that is. Could it be we are doing something really "good" for ourselves for once? Thank you for deciding to "be here". Lots of folks get that wake up call. Too many of us hit the alarm and turn over for a few more hours sleep. Eventually, some of us give in and get up. Thanks for getting up, the world is richer with you in it. Christine
"Lots of folks get that wake up call. Too many of us hit the alarm and turn over for a few more hours sleep. Eventually, some of us give in and get up. Thanks for getting up, the world is richer with you in it."
First of all, Christine...what a lovely compliment. You are so sweet to put it like that!
Second, Sheila...what a great success story you & your husband share!! Congratulations to the both of you; may God reward you with many years together...happier, HEALTHIER years, that is! 
I'm sure that looking @ this as a lifestyle change rather than a "diet" is what will keep you (and me, too) on the road to a much better reward than simply losing weight ~ isn't it a great feeling going into regular-sized clothing after all those years & knowing that nobody "out there" can intimidate you into feeling that you don't look just as good as they do?!?
Keep up the good work! You both deserve everything good that life has to offer you...and I'm sure that the lifestyle changes you have made will serve to keeping you enjoying those rewards for a very long time!!
Wow, now this is what I'm takling about, a team effort that is a success! Looking good, Looking good! I'm wowwed!
You look like a different person! (as does your husband) I am on the path you began and your words and experiences have been a motivating factor that I can make positive changes in my life--Thank you! Best to both of you..keep up the great work.
thanks this was really helpful to me!! I am onboard!!
you are an inspiration!! i too need this lifestyle change!!
What an encouraging story! Thank you so much for sharing. Congratulations to the both of you.
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Congratulations on your success! You and your husband are a true inspiration!