Run With the Winners
This inspirational weight loss story comes from dwgeo104, who has lost 150lbs over the last 18 months and is now focusing on maintaining this weight loss. In his story he talks about the importance of having good support from friends.
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? Did you have an 'Aha!" moment?
I didn't have an "Aha!" moment, it was more of an "Oh No!" moment. I'd never been what I would call "In Shape" and I thought it was now or never. My doctor was also providing a lot of encouragement.
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?
I rode a diet roller coaster all my life but never stuck with any of it. We know what happens when we let up on our resolve. We replace 110% of what we lost.
3. What changes did you make to your usual diet, activity, lifestyle, and attitude?
I suppose accepting that it wasn't going to end - that this was my "way of life" from now on - that made it easier to swallow. Trying to reduce the calories all the time and exercise, exercise, exercise.
4. How did Calorie Count help you to lose weight?
I found Calorie Count to be a very user friendly site for my needs. Once I had my "Tagged" lists generated, getting a daily plan was routine.
5. What was most challenging about losing weight?
I found that "Losing" was it's own reward. All the pats on the back, the unexpected encounters at the mall by shocked friends, the new styles of clothing. Then I reached my goal and it all changed. The amazed friends stopped patting me on the back and my closet was full of new clothing. That's when it was all on me. Time wore at my resolve to be fit. Society continued to pull and tug at me as well as the holidays. Losing my weight took 18 months but keeping it off takes the rest of your life.
6. How long did it take you to see results?
The dramatic lifestyle change caused the pounds to melt away in the beginning. The last five pounds took longer to lose than then first fifty.
7. When did you realize that you were a success?
When the National Weight Control Registry said I was a success; I'm still not sure. I do know a lot of folks who started with me, but I don't know where they went. I sure don't see them at the gym any more.
8. How do you prevent relapse?
Run with the winners. I have a small group I work out with, they help me stay on track. Also - and I hope I don't sound cruel - I watch the masses of people that need to be beside me as I'm out there jogging and I keep in mind - "You can't wait until it's too late to change."
9. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
I intentionally avoided any expections for pots of gold. I used to live in an "If Only" dream world, but now I've become a realist. Today, when I look in a mirror I say "Look what you are doing for yourself," whereas in the past I used to say shamefully "Look what you are doing to yourself". Today my outside more closely matches my inside. I've replaced guilt with pride.
10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?
- Don't fear failure. Start again and again.
- Learn from your errors.
- Keep it simple. Everything is for only one day.
- Plan everything. Never show up at a meal or the gym without a plan.
- Run with the winners. They encourage you and guide you towards your success.
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
Plan everything. Never show up at a meal or the gym without a plan..
I agree... Women of my worse moments have been due to poor planning! =-(
What an absolute inspiration you and your story are.
I specifically like the comment that 'keeping your weight off takes the rest of your life', it is so true. Another reason, if anyone should need one, to make life style changes rather than follow fad diets. I also relate to your five tips, thank you for sharing with us, and congratulations on this fantastic acheivement!
Thank you for your story dwgeo104 that is fantastic, stay with your journey, it is a LIFE STYLE not a diet. I have been at this for so long and now it is starting to move Thanks to storys like yours
Great job! Your transformation is amazing. 
Thank you so much for sharing your inspirational story. I love your 5 tips, and I'm going to use them to continue my current job search and other challenges in my life, in addition to my fitness quest.
What a truly inspiring story for ME. You have put the "want to" back in me so that I will want to be more committed to losing the weight. Thank you so very much for sharing.
Plan everything. Never show up at a meal or the gym without a plan.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that line. I never thought about that being a biggie, but then I realized that when I make plans, I'm more likely to follow through.
Wow! Yoiu look like a different person! And, that you are...inside and out. I like the thought of "keeping it simple...everything is for one day." Thank you for sharing and keep running!
You look absolutely great! Keep up the good work! I really liked when you look in the mirror and say to yourself, "Look what you are doing for yourself" as opposed to "to yourself"
I know the loss part is the EASY part and the maintenance is the hard part. Hearing you say this helps me for the future as I lose, I am mentally preparing for continuing his LIFESTYLE FOREVER and learning to accept that. Seems to be working but stories like yours help to reinforce this. Thanks, congrats and keep up the great attitude!
Wow! This is a great story. No matter how difficult it has been you have stuck to it. It is hard not to regress, but you have kept it up, and keep going strong. Your story is an inspiration to me. I keep struggling within myself, I am probably half way there now. This is the first time I have replied to a success story. Good Luck, & Congrats!!
Terrific story! Congratulations on your success, dwgeo.
I especially like your five points. Well said :)
I love your way of thinking. What a fantastic story and a true inspiration.
Very well done to you. You should be extremely proud each and every day.
Wow !! Way to go !!!
I appreciate your 5 tips--- they will be taped to my mirror and refridge today !!!
Pats on the back to you !! And, if no one is is patting you on the back, you deserve the right to pat YOURSELF on the back---- every day...............
Congrats
I never comment on people's success stories but yours was awesome. I will take a lot of it with me on my weight loss journey. Thank you for inspiring me!
Thanks for the inspiration! I am taking "Don't fear failure. Start again and again" and using that to remind me that I'm human, I make mistakes, but I can start again the next day, or better yet, the next moment with a better, healthier choice.
You are an amazing person dwgeo! You are bright (love your 5 tips) and your down to earth story is fabulous. Thanks for sharing your story!!!
Congratulations dwgeo! What an inspirational story for those of us still climbing the ladder. Many blessings to you and good luck with keeping it off. Run with the winners! What a great motto.
CONGRADULATIONS ON YOUR GREAT WEIGHT LOSS, WHAT AN INSPIRATION TO OTHERS, DID YOU EVER CONSIDER WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY? WHAT TYPES OF FOOD DID YOU EAT, GOOD LUCK AND KEEP STAYING HEALTHY
Wow...your story is very inspirational and you look fantastic. I cannot wait until I can share my own story!
I love your advice. Its true, you can do anything for a day, whether its eating well or not smoking. Take things one day at a time. You look great!
It is true that the company you keep effects you. If we are around winners, they become our leaders to a better way. If we are around losers, they bring us down. I'm thankful that you found winners and I'm sure they are thankful they found you 
Congratulations! You are an inspriration to all of us!
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Terrific, inspirational story of a REAL person with a REAL story!