Losing Weight With My Family
Newdan isn't going through his weight loss journey alone. He's doing it with his wife, and they're both going about it with the help of a nutritionist. Newdan shares the importance of logging his food, and gives advice on the mental challenges that come with losing weight. Read on how he has lost 53lbs.
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?
From the sixth grade until the end of my junior year in college I wore a size 34 pants and large size t-shirt. I ate whatever I wanted and whenever I wanted, and my weight never fluctuated. Towards the end of my junior year I started feeling a little uncomfortable in my size 34 pants and noticed that they fit a little more snuggly after being washed. That was March of 2006. Three years later in March of 2009 I broke the button off a size 38 pant trying to squeeze into them! Somewhere between graduation, getting married, moving, two new jobs, buying a house, and having a baby, I gained 50 lbs! The day I didn't fit into a size 38 pants was the day I stopped eating whatever I wanted whenever I wanted, and I started counting calories! A second motivating factor was the nagging family history of heart disease and diabetes on both sides of the family, and a cholesterol level above 240! Now its down to 160!
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?
I tried South Beach Diet in the beginning of 2009 with no success. I also tried other "low carb" diets which worked for losing 5-6 lbs for a few weeks or so. It was always back to the old ways as soon as something stressful happened though.
3. What changes did you make to your usual diet, activity, lifestyle, and attitude?
I started by using the calorie target tool in the Calorie Count website and set my goal to 1500 calories per day. I understood the necessity and difficulty of getting the proper nutrition with such a low intake, and I turned it into an engineering problem (did I mention I'm an engineer?). I made it a point to eat highly nutrient-dense foods while limiting my saturated fat intake to 25% of the recommended value (to reduce my cholesterol).
4. How did Calorie Count help you to lose weight?
Logging my food daily really helped me to stay accountable for what I chose to eat. I love seeing the nutrition information for so many foods and being empowered to choose foods that are both nutritious and satisfying. Also, by logging everything - and I mean everything - I've become good at knowing what a portion size looks like, which is extremely helpful! Not to mention having the food log made it easy to discuss my eating habits with a nutritionist in the family.
5. What was most challenging about losing weight?
The most challenging thing has been and continues to be eating healthy while others in my family choose to eat unhealthy foods. Especially at family dinners and parties, I won't ask for a special meal just because I don't want a huge plate of Mac and Cheese! Instead though, I will offer to help cook, which in addition to being appreciated gives me an opportunity to make at least one thing that is healthy and satisfying!
6. How long did it take you to see results?
I know everyone is different in this regard. I saw results in the first two weeks. I was exercising daily (running on the treadmill) and eating 2000 fewer calories per day than I was before I started my new lifestyle! Within 6 weeks I dropped a pant size, and within 16 weeks I was back to my high school waist line.
7. When did you realize that you were a success?
I knew I was a success when I fit comfortably into a 32 size pants and the doctor told me my cholesterol was down to 160 from 240.
8. How do you prevent relapse?
I got really scared that I would relapse over the holidays, so I had to face this one up front. To deal with this I decided to switch my exercise time to the morning instead of the evening. That way when I see the yummy cheese (my favorite!) I will not want to waste all of the effort I put in at the gym. If I exercise in the afternoon I will tell myself that I'll just spend extra time on the treadmill, which doesn't work for me.
9. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
Well, we were able to donate many clothes to a local charity, I spend less on food because I eat less, and now my wife is on-board too (after having our first baby!) so it's a family lifestyle now. Also, I have way more energy than I can ever remember, I don't get chest pain going up the stairs anymore (don't forget - I'm only 25) and I'm pretty sure I get better gas mileage now.
10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?
- Eat food that is bulky and low calories so that you feel satisfied.
- Eat highly nutrient dense food so that you still get your
nutrition. - Show off your food log to friends/family because it will get you
excited about your lifestyle change again. - Make your own lunch - don't go out to eat every day for lunch.
- Get your friends or family to do it with you because it's way
easier having their support.
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. My husband and I have been eating healthier, and exercising (I am a little more dedicated to exercise)since October 2009. My husband has lost 20 lbs, and his doctor now taking him off 1 of his blood pressure medicines, and I have lost 25 lbs, and down to size 12 from an 18.
What I have found is by eating healthier, and not considering myself to be on a "diet" that works better. Over the holidays I did indulge in a very small bit of my favorite foods. But I was always aware that going to extreme would hamper success so far, and that helped keep me on track. I also opted to skip the New Years week weigh in just in case the results werent going to be positive. This way I kept my spirits up, and worked out even harder that week to make up for it, and lost 3 lbs as result putting a positive spin on things...
Keep up the great work, and stories like these are what keep us motivated. (just bought a pedometer yesterday!)
Congrats newdan! You look great and you should be very proud!
Camprey, I never thought about it like that - thinking of yourself as someone who eats healthy foods versus someone on a diet. That's really helpful for me.
You are an inspiration to us that are still trying. Congratulations.
My husband and I are also doing caloriecount together. He's down 12lbs and I'm down 25. Having the support of your spouse makes a huge difference in being able to keep on track.
Congrats to you!
Congrats keep up the good work.... You look great! 
you look great and I can only hope to have the same success. I'm too scared to have my cholesterol checked. Good luck to your wife also.Now your child can learn your healthy eating habits.
Congrats to you! ...and yes, scary to think at age 25 you had chest painf rom walking up stairs. Just think what 20 years added to your life would feel like? I'm pushing near 30 (next month) and things start to change biologically. They just do. But it's best to stay on top of it as best you can vs. letting it slide. It's amazing how even a little bit of weight can really "weigh" you down and make you feel sluggish. Sometimes I tell myself that 1 lbs is 1 stick of butter (that's huge right?!) and 5 lbs is a sack of flour. That's just crazy to think of!
Thank you for your inspiring story! It has inspired me to to keep on trying. Enjoy your success...
Original Post by: annschmechCongrats and great job!
I think your story is fantastic!!! I love that you still have a sense of humor about yourself ("I'm pretty sure I'm getting better gas mileage now.") So important as you continue to take this weight loss journey. You will always run into those bumps in the road, such as family dining habits and the such. Just keep on truckin' along, and remember what is important to you and for you. Many kuddos to you!
Original Post by: faithfulphishCongrats to you! ...and yes, scary to think at age 25 you had chest painf rom walking up stairs. Just think what 20 years added to your life would feel like? I'm pushing near 30 (next month) and things start to change biologically. They just do. But it's best to stay on top of it as best you can vs. letting it slide. It's amazing how even a little bit of weight can really "weigh" you down and make you feel sluggish. Sometimes I tell myself that 1 lbs is 1 stick of butter (that's huge right?!) and 5 lbs is a sack of flour. That's just crazy to think of!
Congrats newdan!! Remember that nothing tastes as good as thin feels! Let me respond to fathfulphish. It only gets harder as you get older. I'm 45 now and I can tell you that it is not as easy to lose weight as when I was in my twenties or even my thirties. I've lost and gained the same weight over and over again. I'm hoping this is my last time die-ting and a new beginning of live-ing!!!
newdan... I too like your quote "I'm pretty sure that I'm getting better gas mileage now".
Hi every one, I have been calorie counting since january 6, 2010 and I have only lost 6lbs in the first 2 weeks and nothing else so far, I eat 1700 a day and sometimes it is hard to find foods to eat that would get me to the 1700 calories because i fill up with water, carrots and celery most of the time and still do eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. Will I see resulst in the weeks to come or should I just give up? And I also work out about 3 times a week and walks alot.
From
new member
Don't forget your protein!!! You can't live off of veggies and water. I'm current doing 1750 calories. I have oatmeal in the morning along with sugar free cocoa (25 cal.) along with a scoop of protein powder (50 cal.) For lunch, I sometimes eat a whole can of Progresso Light soup for between 140-160 calories, a PB sandwich made with low sugar PB, reduced fat bread and sometimes I slice a banana on it all for around 400 cal. Try splitting your 1700 calories a day into 3 meals and 2 snacks. Remember to eat 5 servings of fruits and veggies and 2 servings of dairy (lowfat milk, lowfat yogurt, lowfat cottage cheese, reduced fat cheese). Try having some protein at each meal. It keeps you fuller longer. Let me know how you do!!
great job!my father passed away four years ago and i was depressed so i ate all the time, i gained 30 pounds and weighed 200 pounds. I started walking and eating better the depression went away and i lost 45 pounds i felt great, i was at 145 pounds and i was happy, until i got attacked by two boxers, i stoped walking and i gained back 25 pounds, i have been trying to eat better and exersize, ive lost all 25 pounds and i feel great again.
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Congrats and great job!