Putting Myself First
Having battled with a binge eating disorder and watching her weight go up, Eeyore444 joined Calorie Count to finally lose her weight in a healthy and sustainable manner. Her weight loss to date is 70lbs.
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?
I had put on a lot of weight after my children were born, and being depressed about it, I spiraled out of control. I developed a binge eating disorder and after a long time of complaining about it, I suddenly realized I had heard myself say the same thing time after time after time and I was sick of it.
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?
I tried starvation, Slimfast, Dexatrim, Slimquick, and Weight Watchers, all of which worked for a minute, but never stuck, mostly because almost all of them were unhealthy.
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?
I started with joining OA (Overeaters Anonymous). With my binge eating controlled, I dropped the first 35 lbs. Then I joined a gym and Calorie Count. I've been on CC since the beginning of this year, and it's helped me choose the best foods to get the most to eat for the least calories, so I will always feel full. Now I eat fruits and veggies, lean protein, nuts, and lots of organic foods from Trader Joe's (my favorite store). Before my diet was heavy on McDonald's and the like. Also, whereas I was pretty sedentary before, now I workout almost every day.
4. Please describe how Calorie Count was instrumental to your weight loss.
CC helped me realize what was in the foods I was eating, and not just the calories. I love the "analysis" feature because I can find out what vitamins I'm missing and I can monitor my sodium, which is so important in those water weight pounds!
5. What difficulties did you experience losing weight?
Once I straightened out my eating disorder and began this healthy path, I have not had a lot of trouble. I have lost about 2 lbs each week, although I've gotten stuck a few times, like everyone. Usually bumping UP my calories helped to start the loss again.
6. How long did it take you to see results? When did you realize that you were a success?
After the first 3 months and 35 lbs down, I felt SO different. I had so much more energy and felt sexier already. As the compliments continue to come in, it just buoys my spirit more. Although the most important success would be that I've gone off 2 of my medications, one that was for acid reflux (I'm guessing a better diet solved that), and also that my high triglyceride levels have dropped to one point away from normal.
7. How do you prevent relapse?
Taking things one day at a time, simple as that.
8. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
I feel healthy and beautiful, and I am infinitely more comfortable in my own skin.
9. How long have you maintained your current weight?
I still would like to drop 13 lbs, so I haven't "maintained" yet, but even if I don't shed those last pounds, I am satisfied with what I have done.
10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?
- Drink lots of water.
- Read the ingredients. If you don't find it in nature, you probably shouldn't put it in your body
- You must add exercise. You can definitely be thin but not fit, and being fit feels really good.
- If you think you have an eating disorder, join a support group - please!
- Eat enough calories.
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
You look and sound wonderful! Fantastic, and done in a balanced, healthy and HOLISTIC way. It's so important to realise what it is that keeps us wrapped up in a destructive pattern - and you've clearly done that by seeking support. Thanks so much for sharing your story, you're an example to us all :) x
Wow! This seems like MY story! Only, I haven't lost the weight YET but I'd imagine these would be the answers I would give, exactly! I AM SO PROUD OF YOU! Way to go! You have inspired me that much more, and I know my time is coming. Thanks so much!
Well done!
Your efforts paid off, you look fantastic!
I also like the modesty in your answers!
Kind regards
I'm almost reading about myself except I'm 66, and have been through much more. I was in o.a. for 34 years and learned so much about myself and why I use food. I had success in O.A. and failures. I now have been in TOPS for 1 1/2 years, my first 6 months I struggled. On July 15th of 2010 I listened to a hypnosis tape on changing my thinking. I started at 204 and now I'm l49. I go to the gym 5 days a week, water exercise this summer and I will do weights and the other machines this winter, maybe get a trainer to teach me new techniques. The strange thing is I always hated to sweat and now I look at sweating as a reward of my work. My goal is to take off the last 5 pounds (not in a hurry) and continue to love my new life. I will do anything I can to stay here, I will not return to the hell of obesity. Good luck and stay put- the road to obesity is always waiting for us, we need to be on guard.
My personal trainer keeps telling me to eat MORE (healthy food) and I haven't believed adding calories would help me lose weight. So I was interested to see your comment to that. Thanks - and congratulations!
Congratulations! It's reading inspirational stories like yours that encourages me to stick to a healthy lifestyle, no matter how long or arduous it may seem at times (especially the beginning before the major lbs drop!). Good luck with the remaining lbs, am sure you'll manage just fine :)
Hi sheila,
Congratulations. I follow all the above and have not been as successful in my weight loss journey. I need your advice on eating more calories. i believe that is why I am stuck. i try to stay close to 1200 cal but i exercise alot. Can you message me and give me some advice. thanks
Original Post by: fluffydragonCongratulations!
congratulations !!!!! I am also on my journey for weight loss...I am loosing inches due to my training at gym but no luck at weight loss yet. i was 197 pounds in april and 190 pounds now at 5'6 and want to be at my ideal weight of 159 which is long way to go !!!!!
your's is very inspiring story .... thanks for sharing
Excellent!! It is so awesome to feel good about yourself!! Keep it up, I know how cool it is to jump up of the couch with energy, as I have lost 30lbs!!
You need never feel like your old self again :))
Congrats to you! Are you male or female (males lose so much more quickly as a rule)? What hypnosis tape and where did you get it?
Love your comment about being FIT! So true and a vital component!
Congrats to you!
Chris
(link to my blog and 130lb success in my profile)
Eeyore, I'm happy to read someone else feels sexy too.
You look M-A-R-V-E-L-O-U-S!! If you don't think about those last 13 lbs, they will come off before you know it, because I see you know what to do. CONGRATULATIONS!!
You look amazing! What a transformation. And it shows on your picture how much happier you are--you're positively glowing. Congrats!! :)
You look fantastic! Congratulations! Your experience reminds me of my own journey. I have been on maintenance for almost four years now. I need to remember that I must take it one day at a time. Lately I have caught myself justifying poor habits with various new excuses. The battle is a daily choice for health and happiness over illness and disillusionment. Thanks for the reminder!
Thank you for all the wonderful comments guys! I love the sense of community on this site! :)
Congratulations!
I have been logging my calories for a while now and am just starting to exercise. It really does make a big difference.
Thank you for sharing your story!
WELL THANK U
HOW ARE U DOING
WHERE U LIVE
WHAT IS UR NAME
CAN WE CONTATE OURSELF IN FACEBOOK
You look amazing! So excited for your loss and your new life! Keep up the great work, it will come off. Thanks for sharing your story, what an inspiration to all of us!
Original Post by: cooks09Original Post by: fluffydragonCongratulations!
congratulations !!!!! I am also on my journey for weight loss...I am loosing inches due to my training at gym but no luck at weight loss yet. i was 197 pounds in april and 190 pounds now at 5'6 and want to be at my ideal weight of 159 which is long way to go !!!!!
your's is very inspiring story .... thanks for sharing
Sometimes inches matter more than pounds..keep in mind that muscle weighs more than fat..Fat takes up more space per pound than muscle as well. keep up the good work =]
We have many similarities Eeyore. I too joined Overeaters Anonymous first and then went to Calorie Counter. Just loving it. Calorie Counter has become my game of life -- striving for an "A" while OA has become my mantra in life "one day at a time". I wish everyone could feel the same peace as I have on their journey to their personal goal. I have lost twenty pounds so far and hope to lose 60 more. It's great to refresh my motivation with lovely stories of success. Thank you.
congratulations to any one who loses weight...its a life time job for alot of people. As new foods are made for easier eating the more calories and fat cells get happy. Easy and lazy..I am guilty...especially just before i had my appendix out. Couldnt figure out what was wrong with me and i gained 40 pounds eating easy food. I am trying to find foods to eat with low carbs and calories...email me mfhoman007@gmail.com if you have low costing meal...thanks mary
Great job!
I think I have an eating disorder...I also have been working out with my friend who was a body builder and I am keeping up, but i wasn't losing any weight. She wrote me a strict diet of 1200 cals a day..and I was trying to keep up. With energy pills and caffeine I just felt like I couldn't do it. I re-joing CC this week and read that I wasn't eating enough for my weight. Thanks for sharing your story it is motivating. =) I intend to follow thru on myself this time.
Not enough is said about the benefits of losing enough weight to start going off meds. This is probably and should be more important than the outside results!!! After losing 40 lbs, 25% of targetted weight loss, I am off 2 of three blood pressure meds! This is huge and a great motivator!
Great job!!! You are an inspiration indeed!!!
I have a question for you. You have mentioned in one of your answers that bumping up the calories helped you when you had hit a platau and were not losing more. Can you explain little bit on that? How much more calories you used to take than what you would usually take? How long you will take extra calories and when would you resume back to your normal restricted calorie intake.
Thanks!!
congrats
You encourage me to keep at it! Nothing good comes easy and shortcuts are dangerous! haha... all the best with Ur new you!
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Congratulations!