A Work in Progress
Losing weight isn't easy, as Tomting knows. He hasn't let a setback get in the way of his quest for better health. As he says, "don't let a minor setback end your diet - they will happen and you can get past it". Read on for more about his motivations, and ways he maintains accountability for his actions through social networking. He has successfully lost 72lbs!
He contacted us through our Share Your Story feature and provided the following answers to our questionnaire.
1. What prompted you to begin this weight loss journey? Did you have an
"Aha!" moment?
Nothing specific, I reached a point where I just decided I needed to make some changes and get on a healthier track. Maybe it was the last hole in the belt that really did it for me. But I know I was too big to exercise effectively and there for I had to start with weight loss.
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?
I tried Calorie Count before, but wasn't ready to commit myself to making the changes that I would needed to make it work.
3. Please describe how you reached your weight loss goal. What changes did you make to your usual diet, activity, lifestyle, and attitude? Did you implement any other strategies besides Calorie Count? What was the most important change?
The biggest changes for me were in setting a calorie limit and then adjusting my portions to conform with the limits. Because of other health factors, I also needed to reduce my sodium intake and lower my cholesterol. I would adjust recipes to fit my needs. That was important, because if I didn't like what I was eating I know I wouldn't stick with the program I set up.
4. Please describe how Calorie Count was instrumental to your weight loss.
Calorie Count played a big part in this because of the tools available. That included the number of foods already in their data base, how easy it is to add new foods, the recipe creator that would analyze the entire recipe and the several ways you could enter your foods, in serving, grams, ounces and others. Another important feature was the activity logs with what seems like very realistic calorie burn figures, even for what might be considered every day activities.
5. What difficulties did you experience losing weight?
The cravings for my favorite foods and then big holiday or family gatherings. They made it hard to track the intake or lead me to eat the foods that were not keeping me losing. But, that was ok, if I got back to my plan.
6. How long did it take you to see results? When did you realize that you were a success?
Like most I saw results almost right away, but once I really got into the groove with staying on my calorie limits, found I was able to make things work pretty well. I would say within a week, I was seeing actual weight loss and could see what foods were working for me.
7. How do you prevent relapse?
Calorie Counts ability to post on Facebook played a big part here. When I posted my weight loss, I got good feedback from friends and family and encouragement to continue. When there was not much movement and I would comment about a wall or falling off the diet for a day. They were also there to urge me back in line.
8. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
I have become more active. I have a better choice of clothing which make me feel better I feel healthier, even though I know I am still overweight.
9. How long have you maintained your current weight?
I am still losing, but because of the changes I have made in how I am eating, I think I will be able to maintain once I get there.
10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?
- Be realistic in your goals - you won't lose 150 pounds in a couple months. Set a long term goal and then set short term goals.
- Involve your family and friends - without them, you are on your own and the chances of making it work are pretty slim. Family and friends are your closest support system and they will be most honest with you if you tell them that is what you want.
- Don't let a minor setback end your diet - they will happen and you can get past it. Just set that aside and keep going.
- Look at this as an opportunity to explore new foods and activities - My favorite pizza was full of meat and extra cheese, I would never have considered a veggie pizza, but now I order a veggie pizza, with chicken breast and found I really like the taste. I have also tried foods I don't like, but I tried them.
- Walls are not then end, look for the doors and windows and find a way through them - change your calorie intake level, or your output level, a small change can made a big difference
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
You have done so so so well! Congratulations! thank you for sharing with us.
I love your 5th bit of advice!
Keep up the excellent work!
Great story Tomting. Congratulations on your new lifestyle. I particularly like strategies to get new habits to stick as I used to yo-yo & am trying not to this time.
Sixteen thumbs up!
I am at the very beginning of my weight loss journey. I need to lose about 30 pounds. This may not seem like much to many of you out there, however, to me, on my 5'3" smallish frame it seems like a lot. Thank you for sharing your story. Your inspirational and practical tips will be very helpful. I echo the previous comments that number 5 especially stands out. Congratulations to you; continue with your terrific progress.
way to scale the walls! so awesome! great advice!
Chris
(link to my blog and journey down 130lbs in my profile)
Half a congratulations to you on your half success story, it was half inspirational. Good to be encouraging to ones self on the way, but not a success.
Thanks to everyone for your comments and encouragement.
To Loopylu - weather you think so or not, I have had success... My ultimate goal is to be at 250 by the end of next year... My first goal was to loose 20 pounds by April first - met! My next goal was 50 pounds down by the first of July - MET! Then 70 pounds by the end of August (I have a doctors appointment next week) - MET!!! On top of that, my blood work shows my cholesterol is down significantly and my sodium levels are also down. I never claimed to have met my ultimate goal, but yes, I have had SUCCESS!!!
Great job tomting!!!!! Do not let anyone steal your victories!!!!!
Awesome job! You are a SUCCESS already for having met your goals & I'm sure you will continue on your journey to succeed with your other goals! I agree with cleb19477782...don't let anyone steal your thunder! You've done a great job & we should all be on here encouraging one another!
Sorry Tomting, I really can't tell much of a difference except for a tiny bit on your face. Continued success!!
Tomting- great job! The hardest part of a journey, for me anyway, is the beginning. You have to commit to chance, alter yourself to abide by it and learn new skills. Now that you have done all those things and have secured yourself a support system, I agree. You have already succeeded. The rest is just sticking with it.
I also applaud you for putting yourself out there. By posting your story here and on facebook, you open yourself up to encouragement and Debbie Downers like Loopylu (who obviously can't read the title of your post). I don't know about you, but I get enough negative self talk without putting up with it from other people. So focus on the positive and leave the rest for what it is...trash. Great job and thanks for sharing your successes with those of us who see the beauty in the small things in life.
Original Post by: loopy1uHalf a congratulations to you on your half success story, it was half inspirational. Good to be encouraging to ones self on the way, but not a success.
Wow. How mean-spirited and nasty. Congratulations on your HALF assed attempt at being witty and funny, or whatever it was you were tyring to acheive, not really sure.
The negative comments are just another wall. As you have so eloquently stated, find a window and look right through them. Progress is always to be encouraged. It motivates us to keep going. My experience is that those who can not be happy for another person is most likely unhappy with "ones self". How you look and feel to YOU is what matters most! GREAT JOB Tomting.
:) thank you again tomting your a nice man. Too commenter's.. tomting and I have spoken and he understands that was not about him at all! I have explained that my comment was me projecting my anger towards myself at him and it was not right of me. I’m just in allot of pain and not everyone can be so positive and kind to them self's, it’s hard to encourage someone when you can’t even begin encourage and be kind to yourself and when you carry around so much anger as I have been sometimes you can snap at people who don't deserve it because of your own worry's and suffering. Tomting has accepted my apology and has been nice enough to see I’m just in need of support and not a mean person.
'livingtheworld' your very right with what you say, and I like that you can see deeper in to things and see that people are not necessarily nasty for no reason and that bad comments like that are normally because the person writing them is hurting in someway. Doesn't by any means, mean the person is nasty or trash it means there very unhappy. If I had not felt bad and approached tomting with an apology then I would have been nasty and trash-full and there is no hope for people like that I am sure, but of course I can understand why people would not be able to see anything but nasty in that comment, but there is normally allot mote too things.
Thanks again tomting I shall be jabbering on again at you soon lol
I congratulate you for reaching each of your goals. Your approach and attitude about weight loss is a success in itself.
I really like this comment:
Walls are not the end, look for the doors and windows and find a way through them - change your calorie intake level, or your output level, a small change can made a big difference
Thanks so much for sharing your story!
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Thank you for posting your story, it's very inspiring. Well done on your weight loss.