Success Stories

I'd like to hear some success stories from some members of Calorie-Count who have succeeded at losing weight, and the strategies that they used.

I need ideas, motivation, and inspiration.

Thanks so much!

I'm not a HUGE success story, but I've lost 16.5 lbs since I joined C-C a little over a month ago. I have 7.5 left before I'm at a "healthy" BMI. I don't have an overall goal, I just want to keep losing/working out so that I get to and maintain the look I want, not necessarily a specific weight.

The only real strategy I have is keeping my calorie intake down, and eating more protein than I used to. By eating more protein, I'm eating less fat and carbs, because I'm aiming for the same calorie count. And I keep my cal intake down by eating healthier foods like vegetables and stuff, and also eating the snacks I like, but in moderation.

I didn't want to post about it, because it seemed self indulgent, but I'll try to make this post useful.

I've been on my new lifestyle for almost four months, and been here on C-C for about three of those.  I've gone from about 220 to today being 179.  I have lowered my target weight from 176 to 165, so I now have another 14 pounds until I'm happy with my weight.

First, the impact on me - my fitness has gone through the roof, my feeling of wellbeing has increased out of sight (I used to go through really 'down' periods, and they're much less common now), people are commenting on how good I'm looking (which includes male friends who normally wouldn't make that sort of comment), and I'm inspiring people around me to live healthier.

As for how I did it, I can put it down to a few basics, most of which spin off from each other.  It looks like a major change in lifestyle, but really, it's more like pushing the first domino and letting the rest take care of themselves.  They are, in no particular order:

- Water.  More water.  I've been drinking between two and three litres of water a day, and if I was going to give someone advice on how to feel better with minimal lifestyle impact, drinking more water would be that #1 tip.  Helps general wellbeing, ability to exercise, recovery from exercise, helps to reduce appetite, and it goes on.

- Diet - I haven't reduced my calories to ridiculously low levels.  All I've done is replace waste calories with quality calories.  In four months, I have only felt hungry for a sustained period of time on the rare occasions when I haven't been able to follow my eating program strictly.

- Meals - Smaller portions and regular snacks (every three hours or so) are a great way to train your body to lose weight.  It works on a number of levels, but consider the difference between how you're thinking at 12:00 when faced with limitless lunch options:
(a) I'm about to eat lunch and I've got to eat enough to get me through until 6:00 or 6:30 when I'll have dinner, not to mention that I have to make dinner as well; or
(b) I'm about to eat lunch and I need to leave space in my stomach for that mandatory snack in three hours.
Once you have the mindset for (b), you'll automatically have to eat less at lunch, and then get the added bonus of a higher metabolism caused by regular eating.

- Alcohol - I cut it out completely, but if you don't want to, there's a few things you should consider.  Drinking alcohol is just about the perfect way to put on weight, if you don't keep control of the situation.  When you're dieting, alcohol can do the following things:
(a) Adds empty calories to your diet
(b) Stops you from burning off other calories (cals from the drinks are burned off first)
(c) Lessens your willpower to avoid 'bad' foods (fatty/sugary)
(d) Lowers your energy levels, lessening your ability to exercise the 'day after the night before'
(e) Dehydrates you, negating some of the goodness you're getting from drinking lots of water.
Nobody knows more than I do how much fun a big night out on the fizz can be, but when you're dieting, consider the gulf between the fun and the regret, before you start.  If you have no trouble stopping after one or two, there's nothing wrong with imbibing, but you might want to work out the calories, and burn them off that afternoon, in advance.

- Exercise - It doesn't matter whether you've never exercised before in your life, or how much you hate exercise,  it is virtually impossible to have substantial lasting weight loss without exercising.  Check with a doctor or fitness professional the level of exertion that you should be aiming for, and then do something that gets you there at least every couple of days - every day if possible.  Drink water before, during and after, and make it as enjoyable as you can.  I've hit the gym 2-3 times a week, and done lots of long, brisk walks.  You don't need to exercise an hour a day every day - just enough to get you 'out of the rut and into the groove', as Homer Simpson put it.

- Attitude - Last, not because it's least important, but because you need to have it on your mind when you finish reading this.  You need to have a reason for losing weight that is going to motivate you through the hard times, and you need to keep this in front of you at all times.  Positive motivators (eg wanting to be able to be active) are usually better than negative motivators (eg I look disgusting and need to change), but both have their place. 

Set small goals and reward yourself when you reach them (but not with snacks!).  Get the people around you on your side, but realise that other people don't always have the best attitude towards these things.  I've noticed that when I told people that I was planning on losing weight, they nodded and smiled, but didn't think much of it.  It was more enjoyable to see their faces when I told them that I had lost 30 or 40 pounds in a few months, and felt great.

Those were just some ideas that have passed through my head over the past months.  Of course, a great way to keep the right attitude is to stick around here and post your progress. There's a great support network here, and you should use it.

Good luck!

Hi
I have been using this web site for a little over two weeks and I lost 6 lbs. I know I am going to continue to be successful because of two things.

#1 This web site allows me to keep track of what I'm eating and what I'm doing. So I know what my boundaries are and what I need to do to boost my body fuel.

#2 The people here are the best! Reading the user forums and the articles helps keep me motivated and focused on what my goal is. I see other people who are doing or have gone through the same things.  Plus I learn new stuff and if I ever have a question someone is always there to help. If I were to feel down... someone is here to lift me up. If I feel silly someone is here to laugh along with me.  If I need motivation I know someone will give me the kick I need.

Basically if you stick with this web site - it can play a big part of your success.

I consider every day that I've changed my life style a success. When I reach my goal it will of course be a big success but I think the point is... if you make every day a success and treat it as a triumph it will give you the momentum to keep on going.

Go for it! You can do it! There are so many people here to give you help and ideas and motivation.

yeah.. thanks for that. I think I needed to hear that. I have been with C-C for a week now. I have not jumped on the scale yet.. I want to wait a little longer.

Thanks again guys for the stories

Hi, I started this site on January 19 at 343 lbs. As of today, I weigh 267. My strategy pretty much mirrors David's and Ninav. I really can't add any more to it. Good luck on your 'journey.'

my name is Louise and I am the mother of seven children (both bio and adopted). I decided in August of 2004 that I was tireed of being heavy and chose to do something about it.

Some background...

I have MS (now in remission) a history of  low grade breast cancer, severe migraines, sleep apnea and high cholestorol. I did not grow up heavy, quite the opposite in fact. I am a very small woman, 5'1" and a small frame. A good natural weight for me is between 105 and 110.

That august of 2004 I weighed in at least 180. I wore a size 20.

I joined Curves and completely changed my eating habits. I had not had a history of yo yo dieting and I believe this really helped with my weight loss. Between a lower caloric intake (about 1000 to 1300 daily) seven day a week exercise (Curves, Pilates and treadmill) I dropped 50 lbs in 4 months. At that point I decided to have a tummy tuck due to excess skin that no amount of exercise of diet would help (I also gave birth to 7lb twins 17 years ago and this added to the issues of excess skin.

Once recovered from that surgery I was back to working out. I maintained my new eating habits throughout my recovery. I also continued losing weight during this time. Ultimately I lost 75lns by April of 2005.

Over the last year I have maintained my weight within reasonable limits. I had shoulder surgery in June of 2005. In Sept/Oct I went with the Red Cross to Louisiana in the wake of Katrina. I gained a few pounds. The holidays came soon after, a few more pounds. I was eventually diagnosed with severe depression (due to many factors) and am on multiple meds. I am back in the gym (they hired me, lol) doing my cardio faithfully and add in Pilates three/four times a week. I am back down to about 110 with my goal being 105/107.

The original weight gain happened over a period of seven years with flare ups of the MS.

since I have lost the weight most of my health ptroblems have either improved or are completely resovled.

I am 42 and am at the most healthy I feel I have been. I have been around CC for a couple of months.

Louise.

I forgot to mention that I did continue losing steadily until about April OF 2005.

Louise

I've been overweight for YEARS!  And worse than that was the feeling that there was no chance in h3!! that I would EVER figure out  how to successfully diet and loose weight for GOOD. 

I've been on CC for 6 weeks.  I've lost about 12-13 pounds.  I've GAINED control over this awkward, uncerain, unknowing feeling of something happening to me!  I now understand and can SEE instantly, what I'm doing that affects my weight.  The calorie and nutrition feedback when I log in my choices is more empowering and rewarding than the day to day scale.  Even when it doesn't move downward for a week at a time, I KNOW that I'm doing the correct things to cause my postive eventual outcome. 

I choose the best nutrition I can.  I balance protein and healthy carbs with good fats.... I feel terrific!  I have been able to reduce some of my bloodpressure medication, AND have been able to excercise a little.  The entire experience has been FANTASTIC.  I can see this as an easy almost effortless change!  I hope you find the same.... Good luck.., Sincerely.

I joined last week and have lost 4 lbs so far. 

I am doing ww online at the same to compare the two...started ww in Jan.  I've never had such a large drop with WW.

I find CC to be excellent and have recommended it to several friends

i started this site on jan 10 2006 but started dieting on dec 31 2005. As of today I have lost 61 pounds and have 14 to go to reach my goal weight of 135. There is no secret to this, i watch what i eat, try to exercise as often as i can

It's great to hear other people's success stories.  I just wanted to pick out one more quote, from rubiwanda, who said

"Even when it doesn't move downward for a week at a time, I KNOW that I'm doing the correct things to cause my postive eventual outcome."

This is maybe one of the most important 'attitude' lessons of all - knowing that the system of good dieting/exercise/etc works, and even though it can be frustrating on the quiet weeks, sticking with it will produce results. 

I can't tell you the number of times that I've been stuck on the one figure on the scales for five, six or seven days, sometimes even more, or even seeing a pound or two added on.  Then, I'll go to be bed one night and wake up the next day three pounds lighter - real pounds, that stay off in the weeks to come.

I hope to hear more success stories in this thread, and I'm hoping particularly that it comes from certain people here who might not recognise that all of their small victories and big struggles add up to a MAJOR success.

Wow! reading this thread has motived me to get started with my weight loss!! Today is my first day, I'm going to do it!!

Congrats to you all,what a great job your doing!!

Here are the things that I've learned since I came here on Feb 1:

Make healthier choices - it's ok if I have an off day, if all of the 'off' foods I'm eating are relatively healthy.  I'm not going to blow everything in a day anyway, but I can still lose weight if my ice cream binge is on skinny cow, and if I make sure I have protein in me the rest of the day.  That, and I'm much less prone to binges now anyway, because I...

Eat breakfast!  - this one is pretty important, one I never used to do.  My late night cravings are almost nil now, and I think it's because I'm eating more earlier.

Stay active - I abhor cardio, always have.  I can stretch, weight train, do pilates, etc, but I have trouble getting in cardio.  But, now I make a point to at least be more active.  If I can walk somewhere, I do.  If I have to make a trip to the copy machine at work I just do it, instead of saving up several things at once.  May not help me with time management, but it does get me off my rear more often.

Don't get discouraged if you take some time off - I moved in April, and for a couple of weeks had no dishes unpacked, no groceries, etc.  I still managed to lose a little weight during that time by trying to be sensible with my portion sizes.  Not as much as I should have maybe, but I did lose, which is better than gaining certainly, and even better than maintaining.  You learn habits over time, and they stick.

Use the analysis page - figure out if you are eating good, healthy combinations of foods. 

Don't eat too little! - one of the reasons I've failed in the past is because I didn't count calories, and I unintentionally ate too little and went into starvation mode.  Be kind to your body, the pounds will definitely drop!!

Those are the ones that come to mind for me now.  I started my lifestyle change on January 23rd, came here on Feb 1st.  To date I've lost 36.2, from a starting weight of 195 to today's 158.8.  :)

I staryedf my lifestyle change on January 9th and I have lost 35lbs so far.  During the week I stay at or around 1200 calories a day.  Usually Friday is around 1500-1600 and Saturday's I give myself a free evening  and I don't count usually counf my calories sat nite. On Sunday I drop to 1200 again.  I admit I need more regular exercise but when I am not at work I am naturally more active rarely sitting down.  My most active days are Saturday and Sundays..

Hey there, wow these are great success storys. I have some pictures in my profile. Check them out! I can't believe I have come soo far! and only to gain the weight back becus I just found out Im pregnant.

Congrats on your pregnancy!!!! That is wonderful news!

I just found this site today and signed on. I have been trying to count calories on my own and it has been hard. I have yo-yo'd with my weight all of my life. I am to the point of just being uncomfortable. So, I am going to try this out. Thank you all for your success stories and tips, having some motivation definitely helps. I hope I can figure out what works for me and stick to it. The counter says I should eat around 1500 calories. What is the best way to start?

Mine is a story of work in progress. I am one of the CC that still eat what I want as long as it is in my calorie intake range for the day, I still on occation have Papa Murphys chicago pizza, frozen pizza, frozen fish, tuna, peanutbuter captain cruch cereal, ect.

I so far have lost 21lbs in the last three months and 28 for a total since trying CC, I started off at 245 and had lost some, but gained quite a bit back during my month long move to the new house (ate everything including alot of mcdonalds $1 double cheeseburgers!). My goals are 5lbs a month without depriving myself of food and have done great so far.

The only thing I have really done differently is I started to incorperate exercise into my life, I climb between 24-40 flights of stairs on my lunch break at work, and lift weights 3x a week at home, eat some healthier snacks like baby carrots and broccoli, tried to eat every 3-4 hours instead of three BIG meals a day and I watch HOW MUCH I put in my mouth. When I started to count calories, I noticed that I easly put 3-4000 calories a day with my bags of chips, hot dogs, burgers, large frozen pizzas, cheese, ect. I also will allow myself to do my maintenence calories on the weekends to give me a little more room and very my caloric intake a little.

It is hard to stay motivated, but since I allow myself to still eat what I really want, it is not too hard, just need to have less of it.

I still have 47 pounds to go, but know I can get there without losing interest and making it a lifestyle change instead of a diet.

I have been here since March 3rd...I have lost 32 pounds and I think this site is the best thing ever! The secret? Just follow the instructions!! I measure everything...the first two weeks are tough, but if you keep trying, you will get it!! Come here when you feel like eating...