Prior to her weight loss she avoided social situations due to her self-esteem. As she explains in her story “I’m a different person, who’s living again!” She accredits Calorie Count’s tools for her success in weight loss and has many motivational tips to share.
1. What prompted you to begin this weight loss journey? Did you have an “Aha!” moment? I went to the doctor in January and I had very high blood pressure. I was 264 lbs! I immediately changed my diet and started exercising lightly. I went back in two weeks and my blood pressure was back to normal. I had not lost any weight but I was already feeling better. I lost my Grandfather due to diabetes and that’s all I thought of when they said I had high blood pressure. I guess that was my “Aha!” moment. So, I continued with the healthy eating and exercise.
2. What other “diets” (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past? I had tried eating healthy before and that only lasted a week or so. I also tried diet pills which also did nothing.
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? I haven’t reached my goal yet but I have accomplished a lot (in my eyes) so far. I went from eating take-out 5 – 6 days a week to only MAYBE once a month. I went from never eating breakfast to eating a healthy breakfast every day.
I started buying salad ingredients and making my lunch to take to work or have for supper. For meat, I only eat broiled fish, lean ground turkey, boneless skinless chicken breast and deer meat. I have at least two fruits a day. I also drink tons of water every day! Most importantly I stuck with it!
4. Please describe how Calorie Count was instrumental to your weight loss. Calorie count helped me tremendously. I love how it helps you see what nutrients you need more of and what you have too much of. If you own a computer at home this website is a VERY useful tool. You can log everything, everyday and adjust. I logged everything everyday for 4+ months EVERYDAY. Now when I eat similarly to a past day logged I don’t have to log, unless I incorporate something new to my day.
5. What difficulties did you experience losing weight? The hardest part for me was just getting started. But I knew I had to start from somewhere. I also didn’t think I was going to be able to give up all the take out and french fries, which I LOVED!!
6. How long did it take you to see results? When did you realize that you were a success? I started feeling results in the first month. Nothing noticeably for about 2 months into my new lifestyle. Then when I started getting compliments that really gave me motivation to keep going! I have gone from a size 22 to a size 12 now.
7. How do you prevent relapse? I didn’t want to give in after I had gone so far. And when I would get a craving or smell something good I would say to myself “Don’t give up now, I will only be hurting myself!” And of course, I couldn’t have done it without the support of my wonderful Fiancé, Mother, Family and Friends.
8. How has your life changed now that you’ve lost weight? My life has changed 180 degrees. I never used to want to go out or socialize before because of my size. But now, I am a totally different person, going out and living again. I am more confident with myself everyday and everywhere. And it is the best feeling buying a new wardrobe.
9. How long have you maintained your current weight? I am not at my goal weight yet. But I will continue to lose weight until my body is where it should be.
10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?
- Don’t give up!
- Drink as much water as possible!
- ALWAYS eat a good and healthy breakfast.
- Mix up your work-outs. Sticking to one work-out can bore you and you begin to hate working out. Mix it up and work your whole body.
- Read the label on everything you buy. It may sound like it will take you a long time shopping but after a while it gets easier and you start remembering what is what. Also, don’t deprive yourself of all foods; treat yourself once in a while.
Source: http://caloriecount.about.com/my-new-lifestyle-b539548
