Partnered for Success
Hembroffd attributes his fantastic success at losing 82 lbs by using Calorie Count's tools, being accountable, and having the support of his lovely wife, who herself has lost 35lbs alongside his weight loss journey.
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?
Standing on the doctor's scale and reading 285! That's 15 lbs short of 300 and how could I ever be 300 lbs?
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?
Mostly I was able to keep my weight in check by cutting back food for the short term. The military required I maintain certain standards, and when I exceeded the weight, I was always fortunate enough to have a muscular build that allowed me to pass the measurement tests. I did do the low-carb thing about 10 years ago. I lost 50 lbs and then gained half of it back immediately. The rest came on in the 3 years since I retired.
3. What changes did you make to your usual diet, activity, lifestyle, and attitude?
I added exercise every morning - weights and cardio, and logged EVERYTHING I ate. I had to examine why I was eating, and work toward finding healthy ways to keep from "comfort eating" and "stress eating."
4. How did Calorie Count help you to lose weight?
The daily food log and the accountability were the key. I loved the ability to check on everything BEFORE I ate it and to plan a whole day ahead. It appealed to the "nerd" in me. It was fun to know what my daily burn was and to devise strategies to come in under and still feel full.
5. What was most challenging about losing weight?
The most challenging thing was getting started. Finally giving up on the comfortable "fat clothes". The rest was easy, really! It was way easier compared to some of the stuff I've done in the past to lose weight. One pound = 3500 calories. It works every time!
6. How long did it take you to see results?
My wife started seeing them in me before I did, which was about 10-20 pounds in.
7. When did you realize that you were a success?
Size 32 waist jeans. Enough said.
8. How do you prevent relapse?
This is a life change. My wife is on board - she lost 35 lbs herself - and we haven't cut out anything - we eat whatever we like, but we watch our portions and we eat for a reason and on purpose.
9. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
People treat you differently when you are fit and look healthy. I really like that. Also, I have a lot less pain. My back was damaged in Iraq and my knees in Afghanistan. They were killing me at 285 lbs. Now, I can place my palms on the floor with straight legs, which is something I could never do before, even in my teens!
10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?
- Log every single thing you put in.
- Get busy and move your butt to tune up the machine.
- Find an accountability partner.
- Set reasonable goals, based on the tools from the site.
- Don't sweat the days you forget the above 4 tips - just get back
to 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
Great job! I'm so inspired by you and your wife! I've lost 15.5 lbs so far, and I've been bith calorie count for about 5 weeks. I'm so happy to see people like you on here because you are proof that it can be done!
Congratulations! It is still amazing to me how much more enjoyable life is when we are fit and healthy. I lost 70 pounds after retiring also. I have kept it off and rejoice everyday at the new life I have found. Your tips for success are spot on! Accountability is so important for me too.
Even us guys have to take a second look at your picture. (smile) You look great. Congratulations.
Hembroffd - way to go! Particularily inspiring because your pre-diet profile sounds just like mine, although I started a week ago at the dreaded, incredible 300 (Folks, I know there are some of out there over 300. Hang in there, you can do it, no matter what you weigh! It's science). Anyway, I concur about the logging of intake. It seems to make it so much easier, and daily exercise is helping too. I just schedule at least 30 on the elliptical first thing in the morning. And you are absolutely right. Getting started is the hardest part. A big key for me is not allowing myself to get too hungry, which is always my downfall - I will always tend to grossly overeat when I get that way. So I aim for at least 5 mini meals or snacks during the day. Hey man. Keep it off.
Congrats!! That's awesome. I always love seeing weight loss success stories. Best of luck to you and your wife in the future.
I can totally relate to needing to log everything. I can't just play it by ear throughout the day.
GREAT JOB!!!
Original Post by: mistahloHem - how long did it take you?
I started at the very end of August, 2009 and I got to my goal weight last week, so I lost 82 lbs in right at 6 months (about 13.5 lbs/month or 3 lbs/week average). The first 20 came off very quickly and because of the advice I found here, I slowed way down to the 1% loss per week. I just can't say enough about how CC is a great tool to make a dream into a reality!
These stories keep me moviated. OMG, you look so much younger! It's great because the effect of your weight loss is seen best in your face... and secondly your body. Great wife too! My boyfriend and I are in it together as well.
What a difference and well done you! Most of all thank you for the five common sense tips :o)
My gosh you look healthy. You look great! Truly inspirational. Congrats to you and your wife.
Excellent job - both you and your wife! It helps to read this to reinforce what we are all doing! I started my 50 millionth journey to lose weight and get fit almost 2 weeks ago on FAT Tuesday LOL. All of you on this website are a tremendous help. I want to lose 35 lbs also and my husband has always been a fitness/nutrition person so, while he does not want to count calories, he has begun eating healthier and I am on the treadmill and he is on a trainer doing a spin class interval training tape every other day- It is great. I am almost 54 and he is almost 57- he is not retired and I am now going to get certified to be a personal trainer and specialize in baby boomers!! It is also very fascinating to read the calorie/nutrition info- veggies and fruits and whole grains ARE the way to go!!! I am not saying I will never eat anything bad again but this has put me on the right track.
Thanks and best of luck to all!
Congratulations on your weight loss, both you and your wife. See, it's not that hard. Make a plan and stick to it for a life change. It is so worth it! Calorie Count is a wonderful tool for dieters. I, myself have lost about 30 lbs over the last 1 year. I used this website alot to log in and be accountable for what I ate everyday and logged my exercise daily. It is a wonderful tool that I would gladly recommend to anyone with a weightloss goal to achieve.
Good luck, everyone!
Wow - you not only look amazing, but better yet, you feel amazing! While you have lost years now in your appearance, you gain years at hte end of your life based on a healthy way of life.
Thank you ffor sharing your story an dkeep up the great work!
This website changes lives.
Congrats to you and your wife.....truly inspiring, I am so encouraged by your story and this website. Accountability is truly key and of course thowing in some exercise to get the muscles working a little. Thanks for giving us something to look forward to....you are proof it works!
Congratulations! You've done a great job and you look amazing! Thanks for keeping me inspired. I've lost 60 pounds so far myself and have about 30 more to go.
Thanks to all of you for your kind words. I'm just like you - I've been struggling with this for many years and now that I've found something that not only works, but I can LIVE with, I'm looking forward to "what comes after". I hope part of that "after" is helping others along the same path to the success that CAN be theirs (YOURS!)
Friend me, msg me, whatever, if I can help.
Dave
hi everyone...m Divya from India.My birthday is on 3rd March n ill turn 23.m desperately waiting for tomorrow but as well as bit worried abt calories.i was 72 kg in January n nw with the help of calorie count i lost 7 kgn now m 65 kg.
m worried as on my birthday ill be celebrating n frnds n hav party n thr are chances of more calorie intake tomorrow.... :(
m preparing for tomorrow as today i havent taken more calories n in whole day i just ate raw radish,beetroot and cucumber
can u help me more in maintaining my calorie intake
plzzzzz help me
Great Job, Brother...keep it up.
I've lost 73lbs and have a goal for 9 more to reach 185. You've hit the nail on the head...1 lb.=3500 calories. Do the math and log every single thing that goes in your mouth, NO EXEPTIONS!!!
Gett'n some weight off makes the the cardio and workouts easier...
Keep on guard, the old you is just waiting for you to slip.
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Thanks to all the folks at Calorie Count and to my wife! Hooray!