Sweet Revenge
Janienemily conquered her sugar cravings and lost over 65lbs by changing her eating habits and adding exercise, all of which has slimmed her to a size she now loves.
She 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?
I always wanted to lose weight but never had the motivation, especially to exercise. A friend of mine got the Wii Fit for her birthday and I thought this might be a great way to get started. So I asked for one for my upcoming birthday and put my plan in action!
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?
I tried dieting on my own once about 2 years ago simply by trying to eat less. I became frustrated pretty quickly because I was hungry all the time and felt like I was starving myself. Needless to say, it didn't last long!
3. What changes did you make to your usual diet, activity, lifestyle, and attitude?
I started my journey by making the time to exercise every day, no matter how busy I was (and like most moms, I am always busy!). I would do 1/2 hr of aerobics on the Wii each morning and 1/2-1 hr of walking each evening. This meant that most mornings I would be up before daylight, and walking in the evenings long past darkness fell. As far as my diet, I immediately gave up the 4-5 sodas I had been drinking each day and replaced them with water or diet soda. I made healthier choices, such as salad instead of fries or yogurt, and fruit instead of chips or a chocolate bar. Probably one of the hardest things I did was reducing my portion sizes, since I am one of those people who feels the need to finish everything on my plate! However, this became easier as I just put fewer amounts of food on my plate and could still eat it all. Also, with time, I felt fuller faster than I had before.
4. How did Calorie Count help you to lose weight?
Calorie Count gave me great information about amounts of calories in food, which I had never really thought about before. It motivated me to look more closely at food labels, which I do all the time now. Also, the community and support that people lend to one another on Calorie Count is amazing!
5. What was most challenging about losing weight?
The most challenging was giving up the "bad" snacks. I had some awful cravings at first, and I wanted to jump in the car, buy a ton of chocolate bars and just pig out! I just had to replace those snacks with other sweet, healthy snacks that would satisfy the cravings. One of my favorites is a bowl of frozen strawberries and yogurt. The exercise was difficult at first also, but I was motivated to keep going because of how much better I felt - especially in terms of my renewed energy level.
6. How long did it take you to see results?
I took me about 3 months to really see it on myself, although I had others notice within about 6 weeks. I noticed the biggest change in my clothing first.
7. When did you realize that you were a success?
I work in a retail store and I had customers notice and compliment me almost everyday. I loved it because it felt like a little reward for all of my hard work! It also kept me motivated to keep it up. I think I knew I was really a success when I purchased jeans in a size 9 when I had previously been a size 18! THAT was a great moment.
8. How do you prevent relapse?
I look at some old photos of myself and they remind me that I never want to go back to the old me again. I also keep a pair of my pre-diet jeans as a reminder of just how much I had let myself go. Just looking at myself in the mirror now is enough to keep me going. I actually like what I see now... that is something I hadn't felt for a long time.
9. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
I think the biggest change for me has been the exercise. Before I began, my knees ached almost daily at work and even when I went to bed. I think I might even have had the beginnings of arthritis. My knees never feel that way anymore. I'm not sure if this is the result of the weight loss or the exercise or both, but it is fantastic to be free of that pain! I also feel so much more confident. I think when you look and feel good about yourself, it shows to others.
10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?
- Make the time to exercise, no matter what. I have 2 children, one who is severely disabled and I work full-time. Fit it in whenever you can, even if it has to be very early or very late.
- Clean out the fridge/cupboard. Fill them with healthier foods
and take away the temptations. - You CAN do it and don't use the word "can't". It IS possible!
- Don't get discouraged if you have a day where you didn't
exercise, or you ate something you shouldn't have, or the scale
doesn't show you results. Don't panic - tomorrow is a new day! - NEVER GIVE UP!!! And lean on your family or friends for support!
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
congratulations Janienemily - it's people like you that help people like me not give up.
you've also help me complete my decision to get a Wii Fit. So many people talk about it but seeing your story has re-affirmed my decision to get one. I'm going to go out at lunch to buy myself a Wii.
thank you for sharing your story. I can only hope that one day I'll be able to share my success story with everyone as well.
I am so inspired by your story. I have had one miserable failure after another with being consistant. If make escuses that i am too busy, but i will use your story on working out in the am and in the pm. I get up every day at 5:15 to wake my husband for work. If i pack him up the night before i can use that time to get my walking in and I can use the gym (in my house) in the evening. I try to be in bed by 9:45, so there is time to workout. I need to just do it.
Thanks for your story and wich me luck!
Amazing work!! It is stories like these that keep me motivated!! It is very hard to stay the course when the scale does not move so thanks for sharing.
Thanks for your story. It brought home that I have to MAKE the time to exercise if I want it bad enough! Not enough time has always been my excuse.
Congratulations! I have the WII Fit but most recently I got WII Fit Plus for my birthday. It is just wonderful. I spend most of my time riding the bike around the island and the advanced run. I've found that just walking while riding the bike around the island and collecting the 27 flags, I will walk 20 - 35 minutes. I also have the WII Active. She really gives you a workout. I have been dropping weight just working out with WII. I haven't changed my eating habits yet. That is my next task.
Good luck everyone and hang in there. We can succeed.
Good for you! I love how you highlighted the need to make time for yourself and that this journey is a process of making smaller changes a little at a time. It is so easy to get swept up in trying to do it all at once, expecting instant results. Stay healthy and have a great year!
Congrats, that's a great story and you lok great. Now, I have no excuses to not go to the gym.
CONGRaTS!!! What an inspiring story! I too was a bad soda drinker and i know that part was hard for me too! Keep up the good work you LOOK GREAT!!
You are doing great! Success like this is the best addiction there can be! Stay addicted to it!!
What a great story! Congratulations! Your story gave a boost to my motivation to exercise. Off to run on my treadmill! :)
I am new to Calorie Count, reading your story has encouraged me to keep trying to lose. Exercise is the key role in weight loss and you make it sound possible. Thanks for your advice hope to post my own success story some day.
I am so happy to hear your success story. It feels great to know that I am not in this battle alone to lose weight. Not just losing weight, but being healthy and feeling more confident about myself. Your story will keep me motivated and inspired to keep going. Keep up the good work!
Congratulations Janienemily - You look Great!
It's really great to hear how you have persevered and reached your goals. It sounds like you've also gotten much healthier and gotten rid of the chronic pain in your knees as well - there are so many extra benefits to slimming down besides just looking good. Keep up the great work, be proud of yourself!
Can you be more specific about how you stopped your cravings for chocolate & sweets. That is continually a problem for me, even when everything else is fine.
Great Job! & thanks for the motivation. I keep saying I am going to do it but I keep putting it off. Just by you sharing your workload, motivates me. Thank you again! Keep inspiring, yourself and others!
Sheila -
Great job. I followed pretty much the same path. When I was laid-off two years ago, I made it my life's purpose to get back in shape. Started using the treadmill daily - 30 - 40 minutes /day at first eventually up to 50 - 70 minutes. But the treadmill was a great motivator for watching what i ate. I'd check the listed calories of everything and decide if it was worth "15 minutes on the treadmill for that candy bar", or whatever it might be.
I too feel that portion control is a major step in being able to control weight loss. As Americans we are so accustommed to restaurant sized portions, that we don't give a second thouhgt to eat similar sized portions at home. someone I had talked to said they stopped using dinner plates and started using salad plates for thier dinners.
Keep up the good work!
A friend of mine also uses the salad plates. I am going to try that. Thanks for the idea.
I really enjoyed hearing about your dedication and success! You are a strong woman and inspired me today!
Congratulations on your success! It is amazing that you can take time for yourself with a job and 2 children, especially with one of them being disabled. That just proves that everyone can make the time if they really want to. I have 2 boys of my own, so I understand how much time they take out of your schedule. I also have a disability of my own, which I've used as an excuse to be over my ideal weight. But I'm thankful for calorie count, because it helps me reach my goals even though I can't do physical activity every day.
Awesome job Janienemily. You are truly an inspiration to me and probably many others. Keep up the good work!
That is really inspiring! I'm a size 18 right now, so this makes me feel like anything is possible. Thank you! :D
Congrats!!!! I started diet 6 weeks ago and am down 12 lbs. I think you would agree that if you can tough it out 4 weeks it gets easier. Now I don't even think about candy or pizza or french fries. I think my stomach has gone back to its proper size because my meals fill me up now. Not the constant hunger as the first few weeks.
AWESOME JOB!!!!Keep it up!Reading stories like this makes me have hope that I can do it to being a busy Mom as well! Like you I am up early and making sure each and everyday I am getting in a workout! So proud of you!!!!
I am on a 911 call for help! I need to get back on track! Your story has restored my sprit.... that I can do this! Yeah, Thanks for sharing your story!
you look great your story made be want to get a wii. we have always wanted one. i weigh 210 right now and my goal is 160' you have really encouraged me to loose weight and its looks posible scince you lost all that weight and wer'nt exerciseing for like 6 hours a day. well im am ver happy for you.
wendy
Congrats!!!! I started a diet (mainly eating healthy and smaller portions) and seeing the results is great.. getting 30 minutes of walking helps out too. keep up the good work
Congratulations, you look terrific! I hope to have the same success as you have had. I too have to lose about 55 lbs, going slow but not giving up.
Wow, you look AMAZING! Thank you for sharing. So many people use having small children/being busy as a reason to no do anything about their health; I greatly admire your 'no excuses' approach. You wanted to be healthy, you made the hard decisions, and did it! I'm proud of all your hard work. You are an inspiration, keep sharing your story with the world!
I'd like to hear more about getting over the sweet cravings, too. I don't even need to crave it much: the mere thought can send me off in the car, driving to it. Awful!
and Shiela: YOU-LOOK-MAHVELOUS! Congratulations on your great achievement. And thanks for exactly what I needed to hear about exercise.
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