Sarah's Shake Up! How She Lost 130+ Pounds
Losing weight is a personal issue that many of us are struggling with. Socialworksarah says she's done it all. She's gone from extreme dieting methods to learning how to lose weight the healthy way. She started counting calories and incorporating a weekly exercise routine and lost over 130lbs.
1. What made you decide to lose weight this time? Did you have an "Ah Ha!" moment?
I was very unhappy with myself and I had gone through a break up of my engagement very close to my wedding date. I felt I needed many changes in my life both inside and out. I just felt like I couldn't keep living the way I was so I had two choices in my mind. Stay the way I was and be okay with it or change. I decided to change. I did not have an "ah ha" moment. It was more like standing at the cross roads for me.
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?
Previously I had lost a lot of weight in college by swimming 3 days a week and walking to classes. I have tried to starve myself and over exercise as well as other dysfunctional/eating disordered methods. This time it was about doing it the right and healthy way. It was about learning to take care of myself, not hurt myself.
3. What changes did you make to your usual diet, activity, lifestyle, and attitude?
I started working out at least 4 days a week. I went to drinking more water and now its almost the only thing I drink. I got myself away from refined sugar so my body wouldn't crave it anymore. I started eating more fiber. I went to my doctor to make sure I was doing things the healthy way. I also was participating in therapy because of my broken engagement and my therapist was very helpful in helping me deal with my eating disordered thoughts. Most importantly I told myself this was a lifelong change, something I plan to do for the rest of my life.
4. How did Calorie Count help you to lose weight?
Calorie Count helped me a lot. It gave me direction and a way to keep track of my eating and exercise so that I could see how much or how little I was eating and adjust. It gave me a space to write about my experience, whether other's read it or not I had the opportunity to talk about my experience. I have to say that participating in the Challenges was the best social feature. The two Challenges I participated in gave me a lot of direction in how to eat healthy and were very motivating. I even won one of them. It was the best experience!
5. What was most challenging about losing weight?
Doing it the right way and not giving into the old harmful ways of losing weight which were a way of not dealing with my emotions. Also other people can be challenging, because some people just want you to stay the way you are, even if you are unhappy. People also have lots of judgements about what you should and should not do when you are losing weight. I have also been accused of having gastric bypass because I have done so well. Learning to not take these things personally has been a challenge.
6. How long did it take you to see results?
Well I have a skewed body image so I am not the best person to be asking this question. My body image is still catching up with reality. But I would say that others started to notice about 2 months after I started to change my lifestyle. I started to notice about 4 months in when all of my pants were way to big and were almost falling off.
7. When did you realize that you were a success?
I started to realize when I hit the 100lb lost mark. You can't ignore it anymore when you lose that much. There have been days when I don't recognize myself. Another moment was in December 2008. My mother took me shopping at Alfred Dunner. The previous Christmas she got me size 3x's. This time the majority of the tops were a misses small! I even got a size 12 skirt! It's just amazing!
8. How do you prevent relapse?
I don't tell myself "you can't have this or you can't have that" that only leaves you feel deprived and lonely because you can never go out to eat. I eat everything within moderation and ask myself do you really want this, before I choose to eat it. I also make healthier choices when I eat out. Furthermore, I am able to identify my eating disordered thoughts that tell me to restrict my eating and address them.
9. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
I have more energy, I am happier and feel better about myself. I breathe a lot better too. I've changed in so many ways it makes me teary eyed just thinking about it. I am just a better me all around having made this decision to change.
10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?
- Drink more water.
- Work on your emotional issues as well as your weight loss.
- Don't go to extremes.
- Don't isolate yourself, find others who understand and support your weight loss.
- Don't forget to love yourself!
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
Sarah, your story has been an inspiration to me! I, too, have been burdened by doing various diets, programs, etc., etc., only to find out that I haven't learned a thing. My doctor informed me that it's not by way of a diet, but making lifestyle changes and learning to eat healthier. Thumbs up to you!
Sarah
I think what you have done for yourself is just wonderful and hopeful. I identify very much with the emotional problems that trigger eating.
You look smashing and I bet you are more confident too.
I haven't even weighed myself yet and don't intend to until I know absolutely that I am down three trouser sizes. I am UK size 24 from a UK size 26 at the moment and been on my regime for three months and it includes exercising and swimming (both) on four days a week = one hour gym and one hour swim each day). I have the time as I was made redundant and what I fight is isolation and feeling worthless because of no job. But I am using the time for me. I am also going to be 60 this year -so I say, better late than never.
I was at the heaviest I have ever been for the last six years at around 20 stone and 5' 8". I am aiming for 13 stone, then maybe more and believe it will take me until December 2010 to get there. I will drink more water as you suggest.
Thanks for your story. Look out in about 20 months time for my story!!!
love
Rosie
What an amazing story! I am so happy that you have found your success here. You should feel so proud of yourself. Stay happy and stay here at CC!
Well Done Babe...i agree with everything you said.......keep it up,and mostly continue to please your health and not what other people say......
Much love:
p.s. Sorry about your engagement...but hey all's not lost ...you have a new life now.....LIVE IT!
God Bles
Sarah you look lovely as the thinner you. I love these success stories and the before and after pix. Short sleeves, too! You go!! Keep it up.
YOU are an inspiration, excellent job - keep up the good work & thank you for sharing.
You look fabulous!
Thank you :)
Reading your comments is such an amazing experience for me. I started this for myself and never thought that what I was doing could be an inspiration to others. But I am glad to be able to give something back to CC because people I have met here and the information I have gain have make a lot of difference.
Thanks again.
Congratulations and keep up the good work!!!
You are a beautiful person && just like everyone said prior to me, an inspiration :)
TWO THUMBS UPPPP
Thank you for sharing your amazing journey! My hats off to you...You deserve so much praise.
Aww congrats to you!! This is awesome and very inspirational.. I wish you lots of luck in the future. I ahve a small amout to lose comapred to other people but it is still very hard for me to focus on the healthy foods.. I ahve been doing htis for 1 month and I do see results.. I staya way from the scales because that just discourages me.. I look in the miro and see the results or fingd that my clothe fit me looser then they normally did. I have 25 lbs to lose, so it isnt a whole lot but it can be a challenge.. there are tiems when I dont want to get up and exercise but i think back at all the ahrd work I put into this a month ago and it motivates me to get my exercise rountine started..
Thanks for sharing your story!!
Thanks for the honest and refreshing take on losing weight. I agree that we have to work on the emotional issues as well as our diet and exercise. You were candid and that is what inspires us all to believe we can do this too. Thank you.
Hi Sarah,
Congratulations!! You have done a great job! I am going through the same situation now...i desperately want to loose some weight too & your story really inspires me.
I am going to gym 5 days a week & work out for 40 to 1 hr. Because of my weight problem i am having difficulty in getting pregnant . My doctor has advised me to loose at least 20lbs. I am 27yrs & 5'6 height & i weigh 183 lbs.
Well, now i know that there is hope!
Thank you for sharing your story! Keep up the good work!
I feel sorry about engagement... but don't worry, life must go on no matter who leaves or joins!
All The Best for your future! Enjoy Life to the Fullest!
Regards,
Madhu.
You look awesome...congrats! Thanks for sharing your personal story AND for being honest with us about your struggles and triumphs. You are an inspiration to so many.
Sarah, I am just beginning the weight loss battle and I realistically need to lose 100+ pounds. Your story is amazing. You've help to pave the road!
Thank you for sharing your story and congratulations on letting it go!
What an achievement! I've just returned to this site after many months of emotional overeating, so your story really inspires me to make healthier, happier choices. Thanks!
Hi Sarah,
Well done and keep up the good work! Having read your article and others relating to the emotional triggers that seem to effect woman in particular, I would actually place that on top of my list of tips.
My experience with both weight gain and weight lose seems to be all about emotional state. I recently had to deal with a series of events which were emotionally shattering. At first, I lost weight, not because I wanted to but because I was so shocked by events that I stopped eating. I did not feel like eating. Then I started to recover and I started to comfort eat. I have never been a junk food eater. I have always prefered water to fissy drinks or soft drinks. But I started to drink white wine with my friends to drown my sorrows and did not excercise at all. I put on 20kgs or around 44 pounds. Which began to effect all areas of my health and fittness. 20kgs may not sound a lot to you but here in Australia, that is enough to be regarded as obese by doctors. It also made me feel very bad and it caused my knee injury sustained from a very sporting and athletic youth to blow up and cause a lot of pain when walking or climbing stairs.
My Doctor did some hormonal tests on me and he found I had flat cortisol levels, which is the hormone which apparently helps us to deal with stress.
I have come out of my black hole a bit now and have started to get back in touch with my body and my spirit or inner self. I believe they are intrinsically connected. And until we find the strength and desire to deal with life's crisis with keep sabotaging ourselves.
I have become very conscious of what I put into my body now and I enjoy swimming, yoga and pilates. I am not a gym person and I don't like diets. I eat fresh unprocessed foods in small portions. I don't weigh myself, I know from my clothes and how good I feel that I am on the right track.
No. 1 on my list is deal with the emotional issues that cause unhealthy stress and grief and then things will fall into place. If you think about it honestly, weight gains and loses are directly related to some emotional issue that needs dealing with. If we don't it manifests in the physical.
I just reread your story and I remember how much I loved it the first time I read it. It warms my heart because it just rings so true. Can you recommend any books to us?
sarah, I never viewed food restriction as an eating disordered thought pattern. Thanks for the insight . Your story was the most motivational one i've read on this sight so far. I'm happy for you!
Well done Sarah. You are really an inspiration to me. i hope i will have the strength to follow in your foot steps.
Regards,
K
Mary_RD,
I don't have any books to recommend but I do recommend that individuals, if they have the resources, find a professional to help them with the emotional side of this issue. That was a major part in my success. Not trying to do it alone. The support of my therapist and CC have really helped me and continue to do so.
congratulations on your success and thank you for being upfront about your eating disorder. most people do not realize that overweight people also can have eating disorders. personally, i had food issues in my late teens early 20's and was dangerously underweight. now i am at the opposite extreme and cannot find a way out without going back to unhealthy habits. it is hard as a 40 yo woman to admit she still hasnt beaten those demons. your story is inspirational. thank you for sharing and i wish you continued success. be blessed.
If you look in the forum section there is a section called "games & challenges" in there you will find topics where you can sign up for challenges ex. number of minutes of exercise you are going to try to do in a month and many more. Check them out and find one that will work for you. Good luck.
Sarah,
Thank you for your very inspirational story. I needed some encouragement. A year ago I lost 80 lbs. but have not been able to lose anymore. I will be 51 yrs. old tomorrow and I really need to lose another 80 lbs. to get to my goal weight. I will apply your advice about water and try to excercise more often.
Thanks!
I usually dont comment on articles but could not resist this one. I am very happy for you Sarah. I hope I can do it too. Some portion of your life is very similar to mine and I know what you have been through. I hope we also share the weight loss part.. :-)
Congratulations and God Bless!
I too have lost a lot of weight, unfortunatly due to the loss, I suffer now from excess skin on my arms legs and belly. doy uo too have this problem? if not how did you lose it? please help.
I have been trying a Q10 Lotion, as well as taking Vitamin E everyday. I see minimal results with it. I get so depressed because I tried so verry hard to lose this weight, only to be defeated by another problem...my arms legs and belly skin.
Sometimes I feel Just as bad about the skin as I did when I was 267lbs. I still feels self conscience and at times ashamed.
Oooo look Sarah's got curves!! That is amazing and it gives me hope. I'm going to be in touch because if I can do what you've done....I will only have you and God to thank for it! I'm very happy for you, keep up the good work. Your ex has got to be eating his heart out right about......NOW!!
God bless
congrats you have inspired me into losing more weight i am drinking up to 8 glasses of water and watching what i eat
Being a social worker can be so stressful, and that along with unhealthy thinking has led me to gain weight. Your story is definitely inspiring, and I hope to be sharing my story one day!! Awesome job Sarah!!!!
I have to lose 120 lbs. and am at the very beginning of my journey. Your story was exactly what I needed to hear-- a woman who lost the same amount of weight that I have to lose. I really hope I can make it too! I've decided to take my "before" picture today!
I just got your article in my email and I have just one thing to say: CONGRTULATIONS!
I am happy for you and am inspired by your story.
Take care and keep up the good work!
Susan
What you eat can have a direct effect on your skin if you're struggling with psoriasis. See what to shop for.
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Sarah......Congratulations and wishing you the best.........