My Healthier Lifestyle
Runner517 had been overweight since a very young age. After the passing of close family members, learning that her father was diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes and a mother who had a pulmonary embolism she realized that life and health are not guaranteed. She has successfully lost 135lbs over the past two years. What an incredible transformation!
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?
It was a combo of things. First off, I had been a large child, large adolescent and a large young adult... so it's not something I never aspired to do -- I had a lot of failed attempts in the past. It really came to a head when I had three grandparents pass away within a year, my father was diagnosed with type II diabetes and my mother had a pulmonary embolism. I knew it was time. Plus, I had the perfect situation all into my lap: I was accepted into the dental hygiene program at the university I attended and I really needed to live near campus. I decided I wanted to live alone, as I have had enough of sharing rooms with 3 other siblings. I was able to control everything that came into my apartment.
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?
You name it, I tried it and never kept to it because I was trying for a quick fix.
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?
Math, that's how. When I started, I counted every calorie and took mental stock of the calories I burned when on cardio machines at the gym. It was all a matter of energy in-energy out. But that was at first. I really wanted this to become a lifestyle and I knew that I had to go beyond the prepackaged "diet" foods. So, I bought The New American Heart Association Cookbook and logged onto websites with healthy recipes--In other words, I taught myself to cook! That has really been the cornerstone of maintaining.
I cut down heavily on processed foods. I bought tons of fruits and vegetables, lean meats and whole grains - everything was low cal, low/no fat, low sodium.
Of course, my activity increased by 100%. I had no excuses not to get moving since I had the school gym staring me in the face every day. I did 30-45min cardio 3-4x a week with different area focused exercises. I also participated in any fitness class that was free, considering I could fit it into my crazy schedule. I also started "fitness walking" at a park near my apartment.
Along with teaching myself how to cook, I also, then and now, prepare meals ahead of time or have one or two days that I cook a mass quantity of meals so they would be on hand when needed. "Fail to plan, plan to fail!"
4. Please describe how Calorie Count was instrumental to your weight loss.
Calorie Count was always available when a label on a food wasn't. It really helped me portion my meals.
5. What difficulties did you experience losing weight?
My hormones where in full swing! I often cried because I felt like what I was going through was so tough (not just with the weight loss, but with school and living on my own). I often wanted to "cheat", but luckily I always planned ahead.
6. How long did it take you to see results? When did you realize that you were a success?
My journey started on July 15, 2010 at around 260lbs. Results couldn't ever come fast enough. I kept away from the scale because I didn't want to become obsessed. I tracked a lot of my progress by the way my clothes fit and by the way I felt. I
reached my goal of being between 130-140lbs by April 2011.
Remember that "fitness walking" I mentioned? Well, it turned into running! And I ran my very first race, which was a half marathon, in September of 2011 (a little over a year after starting my weight loss journey). I still get emotional about it. I reached my goal of finishing in under 2hrs. I knew then and I know now that I can do anything I set my mind to!
7. How do you prevent relapse?
I planned ahead. I also never gave myself a "pass" or "cheat day". Since I'm not an animal, I never rewarded myself with food. I took a different path and rewarded myself with an item of clothing- a new shirt or pants. Sometimes I'd need to go buy a few new items because the previous were falling off me. I believe I had pants in about every size.
I stayed away from the social eating scene. I would every once in a while, but never more than twice a month without solid and regular workouts.
8. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
Gosh... so many things and in so many ways. I mean, I did lose a 135lbs person. Her spirit is still with me, but I am not the same woman I was before. I am much more assertive in nature. I am the poster child of a "go-getter".
Yes, I do have more attention than before. But, I try not to let that distract me. I try to keep centered on myself and my needs first and foremost. My body is not perfect, as I deal with excess skin. It's a haunting factor and a constant reminder of where I used to be. However, I feel and look amazing in my clothes.
9. How long have you maintained your current weight?
I maintained being between 130-140lbs for year. Right now I weigh about 125-130lbs. I do not plan on that number ever going up again.
10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?
- Learn to cook.
- Energy in - Energy out
- It has to be a lifestyle change or it will never last!
- "Fail to plan, plan to fail"
- Love yourself, because you are truly amazing!
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
Awesome story! I wish I had started earlier to get where I am now,but you DID! Good for you! You are a great inspiration!
Oh Wow, you are incredible and don't you just love cooking healthy!
I have found my 'niche' that way.
Congratulations on your amazing success!!
Hi - Just read your article. How wonderfully inspiring! I hope I can get there someday. My story is quite different. So far I'm still unsuccessful. At 260 and 54 with mild diabetes I find myself frustrated often. Exercise is no problem for me. Next Sunday we leave for a week on the Appalachian trail. Diet is my BIG roadblock. Social eating and family plans keep sabotaging my efforts, but I'll keep plugging away. I'm a member of TOPS and I am going to share your article with our group when it's my turn next. Thanks for sharing. - Jim
sheila...you did awesome and i love how you told your story. i had gastric bypass in 2000 and lost 135 lbs. i gained 80 back over the years and just last year in july, i decided to do it on my own. i am now down the 80 by doing EXACTLY what you just described...fail to plan, plan to fail. i am going to use that as i have so many people wanting to know how i did it. i am always explaining to have healthy meals/choices in the fridge, cabinet. they want recipes, ideas, etc. sometimes, i can't get out of a room without giving an explanation. thank you for the quote and your inspirational story. you are a beautiful person (before and after) and i want to wish you good luck with your future. i am 58 and my hormones played a big part in my weight gain. i got on natural hormone replacement and that also helped in balancing my loss. for those struggling with eating out, being around others...have a plan. bring protein bars, fruit (i am lucky to be a produce prep person!), and know your food.....have a great day!
Congratulations! You look great, and your story is so inspiring! 
Thank you for sharing. I am a yo-yo dieter, and am almost back to where I started on CC over 5 years ago. It is a great site and has helped me understand nutrition. My husband also gave me a digital food scale for Christmas several years ago, and that has been a big help in portion control. Lately arthritis in my knees has made me realize I must lose the weight again, and be more consistent about keeping it off.
wow!! what an acomplishment! changing your lifestyle that much, learning to cook and eat well all while going to school is amazing!! Your Brilliant!! Thanks for this story, you are an amazing inspiration, keep up the good work!
Man Alive!! That's fantastic Congratulations on improving your health so dramatically, not to mention how FAB you look too 
I really relate to your five top tips tahnk you for sharing your story with us.
Sheila, what a great story! Honestly, you are so well-spoken and goal-oriented, you should write a book or teach a class!
I am working on getting where you are. Found out I had high blood pressure at 202 lbs and age 48. Lost some but nowhere near enough. This past spring (May) I joined a gym and started making The New Rules of Lifting for Women my go to gym program. Also, my steno notepad my best friend for writing down everything I ate. I agree with you--even have a plan for the day for what you are going to eat! I also work on having a big salad (all components prewashed, cut, and stored in my fridge: lettuce, peppers, cukes, brocolli, etc.) with beans and lean protein (cooking chicken breasts ahead of time) for lunch, and filling at least 1/2 my plate with a ginormous salad at dinner. Cut out all the wheat products and work on quinoa, brown rice, beans, kasha, etc.
Anyway, I just hit 179 after being very serious for the past three months. have another 25 or so to go. Haven't seen improvements in blood pressure yet, but I believe it will come. ToddMartin, find a plan and decide to go with it! you can do it.
Thanks for letting me write. It does help to commit thoughts to paper. Sheila, you rock! Very motivational story and best wishes for a healthy lifestyle to come!
Jeri
Awesomeness! Great determination! Kudos on the ½ marathon too! I just added in jogging to help get off this plateau. I hope I fall in love with it, but I’m not holding my breath! It goes against my “I don’t run unless I’m being chased” policy! lol
Wow! All I can say it you look great! You have a smile that beams with pride...and rightly so. What a great story.
Cool story. It really is a few simple rules, thanks for reminding me it is a lifestyle change and not a temporary thing.
Very inspiring :)
Well done! It's not easy, but it is totally worth it. Your story is inspirational, thank you for sharing it. - time4change77.tumblr.com
You are an inspiriation to all of just starting out and also ones trying to maintain our goals. Thank you for sharing and letting us know that it can be done.
Your comment "since I'm not an animal I don't reward myself with food" really resonated with me. Of course we are animals, but since we are capable of higher thought other kinds of rewards it makes so much sense. We don't to reward ourselves the same way we would reward a pet.
Of course it probably isn't that healthy to reward our pets with food treats either.
Excellent work! Job well done and we're all looking at your reward!
Original Post by: SheilaHi Folks – Just to clarify, this inspirational Success Story was submitted by Runner517
whheeeooo thanks for clearing that up shelia i was afraid /runner517 success wasn't going to help me ...lol
Hello everyone this is my second week and i hope i can do better... not so good last week my computer died , was feeling anxiety over some important things i have to take care of . although i lost 1 lb it should have been more since im heavy....but now i have a friends laptop for a week until i get my puter fixed and lets see how i can continue on...but i love reading your post of encouragements thank you to all...
Could a story BE more inspirational? You are half the person in size, but double the person in character, perseverance, and achievement. Congratulations, and thank you for being a model for success for all of us!
Inspirational & Motivational - You have certainly pulled it off!! Something to be very proud of for sure..
awesome! Love the math comment! ha!
Chris
(link to my blog and story in my profile)
Beautiful, amazing, fantastic, gorgeous, marvelous! Congratulations for a job well-done both inside and out!
Your story is really inspiring and you look terrific! And super motivating - I've read it through twice. Today was a tough day, and this has given me hope to not give up. Thanks so much for sharing your story!
Two questions - What did you use to calculate how many calories you could eat each day? Also, how did you handle emotional eating (like craving comfort foods or sweets)?
Check out this website. If you haven't, set a weight goal for yourself and work through the steps. It will tell you at the end how many cals you can have depending on the inputs you enter. Good lucK! - JHW
What an inspiring story. Being newer on my journey here, it gives me alot of hope. Thank you!
You are positively not the same person. What a wonderful transformation. One thing that I dislike about loosing the weight is the loose skin as well, but I liked your thought on it and will adopt that thought for myself. Its a reminder of where I used to be and it will keep me in check in the future.
amazing truely, you sure are an inspiration especially for someone like me , ive been overweight most my life and always blamed my genes and what not for it, i used to think it isnt vey likely ill ever get skinny, thanks for the motivation. And you look amazingly beautiful, congrats on just the loss but the maintaing part which is even more tough then the loss... way to go girl!
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You look gorgeous! Having lost almost 100 pounds myself, I know what it takes. Congratulations on making a new healthy life for yourself!