Theresawill2serv had been a yo-yo dieter for most of her life. She tried diet fasts, pills, and liquid diets - you name it!  Then she stumbled upon Calorie Count and along with working with a Dietitian she has successfully lost over 100 lbs and loves her new-found confidence and energy.

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?

August 2010 my GYN Doctor listened to my heart and said "your heart is in distress". I hear an extremely loud echo. Also, in your neck I should hear a heart beat but I hear a swooshing sound. I feel all your doctors have given up on you. No one is going to do an elective surgery on you at this weight of 316lbs and at your age. All I can do is tell you to go home, hold on as best you can and try to lose weight.

2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?

At 12 years old and 180lbs, I was told by my Doctor that I was going to die so I was placed on diet pills. I lost weight but as soon as I stopped taking the pills the "Yo Yo" dieting began. I went on one-meal-a-day plus exercising at a fitness center every day. I tried hypnosis along with Dr. Atkins High Protein Diet. I fasted for 30 days a few times. I tried liquid diets, salt free diets, Weight Watchers and Weight Watchers meals, 1000 calorie diet, soup diet, restriction diet-no snacks, sweets, soda, and starches. I even graduated from a 12 step food addiction program.

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?

August 2010 I was only armed with familiar diet knowledge so I began to eat what I thought to be healthier. The "Aha!" moment came when I prayed and asked for help because I could not afford to fail this time. I heard "you have been over eating, and have high blood pressure etc - you have been overwhelming your body." So I decided I needed to be counseled by a Dietitian. She implemented the six small meals a day and the miracle tools "weighing and measuring" which became a part of preparing my servings which assists me in estimating servings when the scale and measuring tools are not available. This is not a restriction diet it is a "healthier lifestyle". This healthier lifestyle is also equipped with a-cut-off at 8pm which gives time for my metabolism to do its job before my breakfast meal. The bathroom scale has become my friend that I visit every morning and it has taught me about sodium and water weight. Walking is my preferred activity so I walk around the house using the pedometer. Sometimes you'll find me racing the dog or trying to keep up with a fast walking neighbor in the parking lot.

4. Please describe how Calorie Count was instrumental to your weight loss.

Every time I would log my weight loss I could see the Calorie Count graph descending showing weight loss progress. So when someone complimented me I could receive it. Calorie Count daily emails were sent to me with links to the forums that had suggestions of rewarding myself with buying a new outfit, a new hair style, a movie or model for professional pictures. Wow! That outfit I purchased showed a sexy shape I haven't seen in years. The Calorie Count forums also suggested getting rid of all those clothes that are too big. So now I find myself profiling in the mirror because I love the shape that is looking back at me. When I find that I am eating out or trying a new recipe I love to use my Calorie Count food log to see what adjustments I need to make. It also assists me when I think I'm stuck--just like a friend it will point out high sugar, high sodium and high carbohydrates so I can make adjustments accordingly. It all seems like a miracle to me--who would ever think that I could have pancakes, sausage, and egg for a breakfast-treat and still lose weight. Although, Calorie Count food log has alerted me to cut the sausage in half I never feel hungry, I never feel like I'm missing out, and I never feel I'm alone. Thank you Calorie Count.

5. What difficulties did you experience losing weight?

Although losing this weight seems like a miracle to me. I do remember a particular tool given to me in answer to my prayer. That tool was "say No". So when I watched TV commercials that subliminally suggested pizza, ice cream, etc or the family would plant chocolate candy in the fridge so I could see them every time I'd open the fridge door in the beginning you'd find me shouting "no" often especially walking down the aisles of the supermarket. Sometimes it seemed family members would try to sabotage by tempting me to buy snacks for them. I'm no saint! So when I gave in I still looked at the serving size and I would have that and throw away the remainder of the product. Instead of indulging in a big box of chocolate I would go to the store and search for a single serving package of chocolate and savor every bite. My reward would be I would still lose weight. That is the miracle! And I didn't feel deprived! Today, I still want to lose 40lbs according to the standard weight and height chart.

6. How long did it take you to see results? When did you realize that you were a success?

I have always been amazed at the "before" and "after" pictures on TV shows. One day I came across a picture that someone had given me at my highest weight. I immediately recognized that I also held my own "before and "after" pictures. I could see for the first time I now have a long sleek neck, slender face, and slim body. The pictures and the new clothes size "12 jeans" remind me that I have come a long way.

7. How do you prevent relapse?

I believe "relapse" happens when I used to diet. Diets are always going to be broken because they are too restrictive of certain foods, drinks, and calories. Living the "healthy lifestyle" doesn't mean that if I have two fattening deserts today that I messed up or relapsed. Really it means to keep using all the tools for the healthy lifestyle and I will continue to be a healthy weight. Old behaviors do creep up and I have found myself grazing so I get on my friend, the scale and without hesitation I continue the healthy lifestyle regimen. If there was any weight gain it immediately disappears almost effortlessly.

8. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?

I have been asked out on a few dates and I enjoyed a couple of those dates. I no longer have to shop in the plus size specialty stores. I enjoy dressing up and I feel better. Many things that I could not do before, I can do them now. The healthy lifestyle has given me hope that I can achieve my goal. My doctors are happy with my weight loss and my GYN doctor held a session with me telling his employees how I lost the weight.

9. How long have you maintained your current weight?

I am still losing weight. However, according to the Calorie Count weight log I have been losing weight since September 13, 2010. According to my doctor I have 3lbs to go but according to the Weight and Height Chart my goal is to lose 40lbs.

10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?

• Dieters stop calling "eating healthier" a diet. Diets only work for perfect people.
• Eating healthy does not need a special day or time to be implemented.
• Work with a good Dietitian.
• Eat all prescribed foods and meals, become familiar with "servings".
• Make friends with the bathroom scale; learn from the scale about your body.