1). What was your “Aha” moment when you decided you needed to do something about your weight?
It wasn’t when I was teased mercilessly by my classmates. It wasn’t when I couldn’t fit my behind into the most popular rollercoaster of the season. It wasn’t when I needed emergency surgery due to complications from poor diet.
My aha moment came when my grandmother passed away at 88 years old. She was a great inspiration to me and my family. I realized that the way I was abusing my body, there was no way I would live until 80 years old.
2). Had you tried to lose weight in the past – were you successful when you tried?
I had tried to modify my diet somewhat, but never with the intent to lose a lot of weight.
3). How do you find time for yourself to concentrate on losing weight?
As a full-time working mother of two who also has a professional speaking business, this part is hard. The reality is you can take small steps every day in 5 minutes or less to reach your goals. For more on that, click here.
4). What kept you going? Were there times where you wanted to give up?
The biggest thing that kept me going was it was working! I couldn’t believe that the weight kept coming off. There were times that I wanted to slow down (and I did) but I never really wanted to give up completely. I was enjoying my (new) self too much.
5). How has maintenance been, is maintaining harder than losing weight?
Maintenance is way easier than you think. I joined the National Weight Control Registry in 2009 to help keep me accountable, and report to them annually on my diet. I have found that I now automatically understand when I need to re-adjust myself, either in terms of diet or exercise.
6). Did you exercise while losing weight, if so, what do you like to do for exercise.
I love to dance! I spent the whole first year of losing weight trying out different dance videos in my home. My favorites include any with Jennifer Galardi. I also lift weights and take community education classes to keep it interesting. My favorite class was one called Body and Soul, where we rocked out to fun European trance music with every core of our being. Even if I don’t have an exercise “program”, I try to be more active by playing with my daughters and doing bodyweight exercises at home.
7). What are some tips that helped you a long the way?
Don’t drink your calories. Eat more fiber (veggies and whole grains). Try new foods and different ways of preparing them. If it takes your kid 20 attempts for them to embrace a new food, how many attempts do you think it takes the average adult?
8). Did you have people in your life that weren’t positive towards the changes you were making?
I was a single person while I was losing, which I think helped me tremendously. I didn’t have anyone to answer to, or anyone who might derail my efforts. However, when it comes to eating at holidays, you have to prepare yourself for some curled lips and raised eyebrows if you turn down traditional favorites.
9). What was a typical eating day like when you were heavy?
Breakfast was 2-3 bowls of sugar-sweetened cereal with 2% milk. Lunch was a sandwich, chips, cookie or brownie and soda. I had an afternoon snack of apple and lots of peanut butter or a sleeve of Saltines with American cheese or 5-6 cookies. Two hours later, I would have a home-cooked meal with veggies. After dinner would be 3-4 scoops of ice cream with chocolate syrup or a bowl of popcorn with real butter. If I was up late, I would have another round of snacks (usually leftover food such as pizza).
10). What is a typical eating day like now that you are eating healthier?
Breakfast is oatmeal or high-fiber, low-sugar cereal with skim milk. I have a morning snack of 2% Greek yogurt with nuts or a Kind bar with string cheese. Lunch is usually a sandwich, soup and salad, bean burrito, or veggie soufflé. I sometimes have an afternoon snack of hummus and whole-grain crackers or apple and peanut butter. Dinner is a home-cooked meal (usually Indian or Mexican food) or eggs with potatoes.
11). What are some of the things you’ve been able to do now that you’ve lost the weight?
Whatever I want to do! One of the biggest changes has been that I love to shop for clothes! I absolutely dreaded shopping when I was heavy. Even if I found something cute, it would often not fit me right. Being able to shop in regular-sized clothing sections has allowed me to express my creativity and start enjoying myself again. Another big change has been in my overall self-esteem. I used to think I was confident, but I was really putting out more bravado and defiance than anything else. I am confident not only in who I am, but in how I got here. It is intensely powerful to believe in yourself.
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If you’ve missed other success stories from people who have lost weight without surgery or crash diets, CLICK HERE – very inspirational and they have all still kept the weight off!
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