Bnjionrek has lost 35 pounds by learning to simply eat less and move more. Today, she is at her target weight of 130 pounds, and she will continue to follow her proven lifestyle habits to make sure she stays that way.

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 had been trying off and on to lose weight but without much effort. Then I got tickets to see my favorite band in concert and wanted to wear my favorite "concert pants". I couldn't get them past my thighs. I was surprised at just how much weight I had put on without even realizing it. It was ridiculous! I knew then that I needed to double my efforts.

2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?

It was at that moment that I began to exercise on a daily basis again. I hadn't done it regularly in years. I started taking pills that were supposed to boost your metabolism. I decided to eat only fruits for breakfast and lunch, along with my exercise. I found myself exhausted all the time and hungry. I knew I couldn't last. Finally I googled "How do you lose weight?" and the results brought me to About.com and Calorie Count.

3. What changes did you make to your usual diet, activity, lifestyle, and attitude?

I never knew about how calories in/calories out worked. I had never heard of it before. I felt like a dope. It seemed so easy. The first thing I did was cut out all liquid calories. This left me more room for food while greatly reducing my calorie intake. Once I got my portions under control I was able to add liquid calories back in. I kept exercising daily, even if was just a walk, or cleaning the house. I started really paying attention to labels. I felt hopeful, because when I read about calories in/calories out, it made sense to me. The most important change for me was getting my portions under control.

4. How did Calorie Count help you to lose weight?

Calorie Count added up my calories burned and consumed for me. It provided a visual representation of my activity and intake. It made counting calories much easier especially when paired with a food scale. The recipe analyzer is also a great and helpful tool. As long as I logged all of my calories I was able to keep on track. I also loved that I could track my weight, read questions and answers to common weight and health questions in the forums and now analyze my nutrition information without any extra effort on my part.

5. What was most challenging about losing weight?

Remembering what foods I ate or how much of it before I could log it into Calorie Count. This is where a pocket calendar came in handy. I used it to write down everything I ate while it was in front of me or as I weighed it.

6. How long did it take you to see results?

I noticed a change in how my clothes fit after only a month or so but it's only very recently that I can look at pictures of myself or in the mirror and see the difference. My co-workers however were marveling at how much weight I had lost.

7. When did you realize that you were a success?

September 29th was my one year anniversary with Calorie Count. I lost 35 lbs in six months and have maintained this weight for another six months. After a year, I'm confident that this is now a permanent change for me and I feel so good about it I could sing.

8. How do you prevent relapse?

I continue to weigh myself often, I look at myself in the mirror wearing my nice new form fitting clothes, and I still log onto Calorie Count every day to log my calories and activities.

9. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?

I have more strength and much more endurance than before I lost the weight. I feel more confident and my self esteem has improved. Now that I can wear nice clothes I take more pride in my appearance overall. I wear jewelry and get my nails done. I never bothered with that before. It’s affected not just my physical health, but my mental health as well, and that's really important for me.

10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?

• Don't try to work your life around food and exercise, work food and exercise into your life.
• Buy a food scale and carry a food log. It will make your life easier. 
• Plan your meals and exercise ahead of time as much a possible. This will help you to follow through.
• Don't give up anything you love food wise. Since you can budget your money to pay bills as well as have a little enjoyment, then you can budget your calories that way too.
• Find activities you enjoy. This way you're not forcing yourself, you're enjoying yourself.