Weight loss story

I have been struggling with my weight my entire life. When I was in high school, my parents put me in the Jenny Craig program. I lost 50 pounds, but then gained it back within 2 years. I have joined Weight Watchers many times and like the program, but kept gaining the weight back. I have tried Slim Fast, the Grapefruit Diet, not eating, and anything else I could think of.

I had lost quite a bit of weight before I was married, active in biking and hiking, but after awhile I realized all I did was eat! I was eating happily for awhile and didn’t really realize just how big I had gotten until I was in a size 18 pant and wearing almost past the extra large mark on shirts and sweatshirts. I was very unhappy and ended in a divorce 5 years later. I decided I had enough and was ready to change.

My brother is my true inspiration for my life change. He lost over 60 pounds, started training for marathons, triathlons, and even did the 2005 Iron Man Florida. I figured if he could do it, I could! At that point, I made the decision to join the gym, hire a trainer, and get my life back.

I worked with a personalized trainer for 2 months, meeting with her 2x a week. She helped me understand that tracking my foods and exercise was important. I lost 40 pounds working with her and went from a size 18 pant to a size 12/14. I trained for 8 months to complete my first sprint triathlon and did it in just under 2 hours. I liked it so much, I did another triathlon a month later in July and did a 75K bike ride for the Heart Association.

Since then, I slacked quite a bit on my exercise and eating habits and gained 10 pounds back. The story of my life! My brother told me about StayInStep, so I thought I’d give it a try. I started December 27, 2005 and in a month I have lost 9 pounds and 3 inches on my waist. I’m in a size 10 pant and still have a ways to go, but I feel great! Looking back at the pictures, I don’t think I realized just how overweight I was. I use those pictures now as my inspiration every day. I keep them up in my office for motivation.

My goal is to lose another 20 pounds, go down another pant size, beat my time in the triathlon this year, and do a half Iron Man in 2007. I encourage everyone to try StayInStep. It took me a week to get used to it, but now I thrive on it. I like looking into the group page and popping messages to others, I like the encouraging words in the healthy tips, and I like the fact that I’m not the only one who has struggled.

You don’t have to have the goal of running a marathon or doing triathlons to lose weight and get in shape with this program, but you have to want it. There will be tough days, but you can do it! Nobody else can want the weight loss for you. YOU have to make the decision and strive for excellence!

Weight loss tips

• Eat!
• Drink water : I’ve used electrolight mix and zip fizz to make water more exciting to drink
• Plan on splurging yourself…. I’m splurging on my birthday (one month from when I started)
• Keep low-cal snacks around the house. Get rid of high-cal snacks that are too tempting
• Write down everything you eat… even if you go overboard…write it down!!!
• Measure yourself every other week… it’s amazing
• Weigh yourself daily and just pay attention. You’ll notice a lot of things about yourself
• Want it!
• Set a goal. Baby steps work well for me… Set little achievable goals and one big goal.
• Reward yourself. If the reward is with food, plan it out (when, what, where…). I reward myself with clothes.
• Press for a positive attitude
• Gain support… join this site… it’s awesome!