ISO Trimmed down/got in shape stories

[MorningAWalker]

Does anyone have any inspiring "trimmed down/got healthy" stories they want to share?Need to do so , myself!Have you found that CL helped? I have been enjoying my Walking subscr. as well..

[MrsReber]

Hi there! You might try the Healthy Living Board for inspiration and advice. There's a "support group" on there, too.

I can share my story with you- I used to weight 177 pounds ten years ago. It took a long time, but I eventually got down to 125-130 through changing my eating habits and exercising. For the last 15-20 pounds, I joined a gym and then help me out with weight training. It made all the difference in the world. I feel better about myself, I'm much happier and shopping for clothes is so much nicer! Of course now I am approaching my 9th month of pregnancy so I'm not feeling so svelte these days, but I still try to get some exercise and I still eat right for the most part. I know that it will make a big difference after the baby is born, too. Hopefully I'll be able to drop the excess pounds easily. I am making and freezing some CL dishes so that we can still eat healthy after the baby arrives.

The food was a big thing for me because I LOVE good food- especially anything Italian and loaded with cheese. I don't deprive myself, but I cut back where I can and cut out excess calories where I can. My husband enjoys just about all of the food, too, and likes to know that I'm concerned about what we eat. Good luck! There are so many people on this board who have stories and they are all really supportive, too!

[Nadine]

I am just starting the trimming down cycle and am very serious about it. I would love any ideas on where to turn to re-learn how to cook. I really enjoy good food and would like to see articles on spa cooking or new techniques. Anything. Thanks in advance.

[Jewel]

I lost over 100 lbs a few years ago, and if you've read any of my recent posts, I'm trying desperately to lose the last 30 before a surgery I'm having in May! I lost the first 100 mainly by limiting my fat grams to 20 per day, and using a dual-action exercise bike (arms moved too) for 45 minutes to an hour each day. After I hit the magic age of 35 a few years back, it seemed like the weight just wouldn't budge anymore with traditional methods! Suddenly Atkins, Nutri-System, pills, Deal-A-Meal, nothing worked! Doctor told me I'd blown my metabolism by yo-yo dieting so much that I would really have to work hard to get the last 30 off. Apparantly, losing then gaining over and over again is hard on your body, and really messes with your internal 'cycle'. It also cost me a gall bladder! At least that was covered by insurance. The nearly $7000 for the Tummy Tuck to take care of the excess skin and fat from the weight loss wasn't! Worth every penny though. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

Finally realized that the only way I was going to be able to lose the rest was a very intense, very restricted, very healthy eating plan. Only give me a few choices. If I have too many, I will abuse them! An hour a day on a treadmill, five times per week without fail. Hopefully when this intense program is over in three more weeks I'll be able to take some of what I've learned with me, and not eat as much processed food.

Cooking Light has made a HUGE difference in the way I view food and cooking. I no longer feel guilty about using butter or cheese, and turning what used to be a dish that I would avoid in the past into a light dish I'm proud of has become a hobby! Goes back to that old Weight Watchers and Nutri-System Motto: Nothing tastes as good as feeling healthy and thinner feels...Well, maybe except Reese's Peanut Butter Cups! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif

[m4star]

Hi! My story is not nearly as awe inspiring or inspirational as MrsReber or Jewel's but here it is. I was raised in a really unhealthy household. We never exercised, drank sodas with every meal, ate tons of processed sugary foods, and never watched our portions. When I was younger weight wasn't a problem for me. I had a really fast metabolism and could eat (and did eat) whatever I wanted.

Then when I went away to college in the Pacific Northwest I continued to eat that way. The cold winters made me just want to hang out in my apartment with a bottle of wine baking chocolate chip cookies (which is what I did way too many times). At the age of 20 I weighed about 145-150 pounds, which was heavy for my 5'6" frame. I also was diagnosed with diabetes. This motivated me to really get healthy. I began working out at the school gym, but mostly just focused on cardio machines like stairmasters and treadmills. This really helped get my heart in shape and give me stamina, but it did little to reduce my size.

Then after college I moved to Texas for graduate school where I did not know a single person. I had a really long, lonely summer and exercise became my main focus. I began to run, lift weights, and really experiment with cooking healthy meals. By December I had dropped down to 120 pounds, but I was running almost 7 miles a day to keep myself at that size (size 2). It was almost an obession! I was weak, tired all the time, and obsessed with food (counting calories, eating only "safe" foods, and never eating out where I could not control what went into my mouth).

After much hard work and caring of friends and family, I finally found balance and leveled off at 130 pounds. I eat well most of the time, work out every day, and really am trying to learn to love my figure just how it is right now. It's difficult but well worth it. I am happier with a healthy lifestyle, and not a strict diet or regiment. Cooking Light has been great because I can feel decadent in my cooking but know that I am not splurging. It's like I treat myself with each new recipe I try. I also love the support I get from others on these BB's.

[hka]

I have to say that my story isn't quite that awe inspiring either but it is for me. I have always been about 15 to 20 pounds over weight, which doesn't seem like much to most people, but it's a lot to me. I could just never seem to get it off. Hips run in my family so I hate shopping for pants.

Anyhow, about 2 to 3 months ago I decided to make a valiant effort to lose the weight and shape up. I made my own diary and record the food I eat. I pretty much eat whatever I want within reason. I'm happy to say that I've been losing about a 1/2 lb to 1 lb per week. I have a few more to go and am not concentrating on that as much as how my clothes fit. I've been working out just about every day either on the treadmill for an hour or on the Precor for 45 minutes.

I feel so good and have a lot of energy! I don't feel deprived of anything and I make most of my meals from CL. I love it because all the recipes have the calories, fat, etc. Once I get to where I want to be, I'll probably up my caloric in take a bit and just maintain. My husband and I usually go out for dinner on Friday nights. I try to make healthy choices, however, if we go some place where there isn't a GREAT healthy choice, I'll get what I want. I usually don't feel too guilty about it since I eat well most of the time. I think you should allow yourself some indulgence from time to time.

[foodiedelite]

In a nutshell, I used to work for an International Company which required a lot of travel, and in turn, a lot of eating out.
This was not the sole reason for my weight gain. Eight years into my employment with this company, my first child came along and
another 20 lbs.

After a vacation, I was reviewing my beach vacation video and everyone looked like themselves, except me. I was fat, but I never perceived myself as overweight. That was the final straw! The next day, I enrolled in a weight program (WW). I have lost 45 lbs. and gone down 10 sizes! It doesn't seem like a lot of weight lost, but on my 5'2" frame, it's changed my life. I had forgot what it was like not to deal with the weight.

My daughter recently was walking several blocks from home and tired, so I had to put her on my shoulders to walk her home. I started huffing and puffing and couldn't believe how I was tiring from carrying her. She weighs 30 lbs.---I thought, she weighs less than what I lost. This was what I was carrying around!

I'm not cured from being overweight. I now have a sense of balance and am learning how to maintain this lifestyle. Cooking Light and this BB has been a tremendous support. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[BosunsWife]

I have spent my entire life overweight to some extent. Always on a diet of some type, always to lose and then put it back on plus. A month or two ago I finally went to my family practice doctor (military) and asked him if he could prescribe me a diet pill or if not to refer me to an "outside" doctor that would. We had a long talk about my eating problems and patterns. He finally convinced me to try a program through a military hospital (only one of two in the US that do it - Walter Reed is the other) here in Hawaii. It is an intense program working with a nutritionist, a behavior psychologist and to a small extent the base gym. I have actually learned a lot about food and nutrition and why I actually eat (or overeat) when I do. After the initial weeklong daily sessions, we meet weekly to have an informal weigh in and jam session. I'm finally feeling like I have some control in my life with regard to my eating.

If you were to look at me on the street, you would see a large, tall person who yes, needs to lose weight, but not a lot. Au Contrair (sp), I am actually considered on the low end of obese. I am very fit, because I do actually work out at a gym and chase after a two year old all day. I am also generally the sole parent a lot of the time since my husband is Coast Guard and is gone on a ship a lot, so I am constantly going, going... My problem is that I eat out of frustration and loneliness when my DH is gone. My psychologist is working with me to try and get me to stop internalizing my problems and find ways of dealing with them other than eating. My first real test is right now (DH just left for six weeks). So far, so good.

The doctor told us he DOES NOT want us to lose more than a pound a week after our initial weight loss week - I lost five pounds my first week and have been losing a pound a week since. The program stresses more than just weight loss, but more a lifestyle change. Its going to be hard to change 39 years of eating, but I'm doing my darndest at this point. I'm so tired of going up and down like a stupid yo yo.

CL is helping me out a lot with all the different recipes. I cook out of the magazine at least 3-4 times a week for our meals.

Congratulations to all that are undertaking or have undertaken a lifestyle change.

[tobykitty]

I am just beginning (again) to lose weight. Over the years, I have been up and down and I am once again up. This time is different.

About 2 weeks ago my husband and I were walking around Linens n Things. We stopped and looked at the scales and I actually stepped on one. Do not ask me what I was thinking! I still have no idea. But those three little numbers darn near killed me. We were at the gym the next morning and I paid for a full year in advance. And I hired a personal trainer. I have been everyday since. Okay, I didn't go on Saturday, but we had unexpected company. I was actually not going to go today, buy this thread has motivated me and I will be doing a late night workout. This is the first time that I have actually incorporated continuous excercise into my life and I know that this is then end of the ups and downs for me. I've had enough and I don't care if I have to pay a personal trainer for the rest of my life.

Bosunswife,
Would that be the lovely pink hospital?

[Jewel]

Tobykitty, I admire your determination! I see you're in Olympia, Washington, I'm about an hour north of you in Renton. Too bad we're not closer, I could use a workout buddy! It's very difficult getting back into the swing of exercise, but it's addicting, and the results will keep you motivated. Don't get discouraged by what you think might be failures, like not staying on the treadmill long enough or not losing a certain amount of weight in a certain amount of time. It will happen, but it will be slowly!

Look on the brighter side...it gets easier as the days go by! What had me huffing and puffing only a week ago isn't so bad now! Next week it will be even easier, and I can't wait to finally get to that point where I'm feeling strong and lean. I'll never be someone who LOVES exercise, but I think I can become someone who appreciates it enough to enjoy it. Great job! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[BosunsWife]

Tobykitty, yep! I had a weigh in today and everything is going so well. I actually feel in control of my eating habits for the first time in a very long time. I told the doc today that ever since I started eating three well balanced meals a day and maybe two small snacks I don't have the urge to pig out anymore when I start getting stressed out.

[mariakj]

This is an amazing thread! I'm so proud of every one who has responded and told their story of weight and weight loss. I also grew up eating really poorly. My parents never really taught us about nutrition. Friday night dinner at our house was 2 large Meat Lovers pizzas from Pizza Hut (pan pizza of course), two 2-liters of soda and a chocolat cake that would be devoured all in that night (we never realized that there was such a thing as leftover cake). So I have been heavy my whole life.

Last summer when I found out that I was pregnant with my first child I decided to change the way I eat. I read Andrew Weil's book "Eating Well for Optimum Health" and it really opened my eyes to a lot of nutrional mistakes I was making. He doesn't advocate a diet that excludes anything, it's all eating good foods in the right proportions. Since I read his book I have cut out high fructose corn syrup and partially hydrogenated oils and I have started eating more fish and veggies.

When my son turned 4 months old I decided that it was time to reclaim my body and I started walking 5 days a week. My sister bought me one of those Baby Jogger things, so I would have no excuse not to exercise (before that I would say that I didn't have time to exercise because I had to watch the baby). At first it was really hard and I couldn't go very fast and I would huff and puff after 5 minutes, but I kept it up. I now walk every single day and I feel great. I have lost 55 lbs. since August and really trimmed down. I have gone from walking 5-6 miles a week to 17-18 miles. I keep getting faster and have more stamina. It has been a really gradual process and I have been doing it the hard way. When people ask me how I lost the weight, they want me to give them a quick fix answer, but I tell them that I eat less and better and I move every day.

CL has helped me tremendously! I love CL! I love to eat, so it had always been hard for me to diet, but now I love eating healthy. The thought of eating a Meat Lovers pizza actually makes me want to gag now. CL has taught me how to eat well without giving up variety or taste and for that I will be forever grateful. I make most of my meals for the week from CL and it has changed my overall health.

I hope that this has been inspiring to you. I can't tell you how much better I feel and how much better I look. I want to sing it from the roof tops some days when I get off the scale and I have lost a couple more pounds. I assume that you like to walk too, based on your log in name. Walking is such great exercise and before long I will be able to start jogging a little. Good luck to you.

[tobykitty]

Jewel,
You are so right about it being addictive. I'm am never thrilled to be at the gym, but once I'm finished I feel great. It would be nice if we lived closer because I would love a workout partner. I have to say that my trainer is great and keeps it fun. Okay, as much fun as once can have on those torture machines. I still believe they belong in a dungeon. A bed of nails would be cozy and comfy compared to the incline leg press.

Bosuns Wife,
Glad to hear that everything is going well. I know what you mean about the desire to pig out. Weight Watchers really helped me get the eating under control. But only the truly special people get to have their weigh ins in a pink hospital. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

Valeriek,
Congrats! Quitting smoking is wonderful.

[jd]

What a great thread - congratulations to everyone on living healthier lives.

I have just lost 40 lb on WW over the last seven months - 2 weeks to lifetime! I've gained 5-10 lb per year for the last 5+ years. I don't own a scale so only had the annual physical to go by. I've found that it takes me a lot of 'thought prep' time to do something, and finally I joined WW. No real defining moment, just decided to go. I've never dieted before and I didn't find the program too difficult, but boy did I learn about portion sizes! After more thought-prep, I've decided that I need to add exercise to the mix. More thought prep .... I called two personal trainers to get me set up on a program at home (yes, I have all the equipment). After 6 weeks and slow games of phone tag, no progress, haven't met either of them. This week, I set up all the equipment and am going to try to make my own program based on several that I've done over the years. Hopefully it will get me started and going, slow and painful though. I do know that once the mind set is there, I can do it!

During this time (7 months), I decided it was high time to learn to cook. CL and this BB have been the inspiration! I've tried many new recipes and worked them into the WW points program. Now it's really fun since I am maintaining and can eat a little more!

I think I should start participating in the weekly HLSG on the other board to keep me on track. See you over there!

[DmOrtega]

I've been lucky most of my life in not having to worry too much about my weight. I was really skinny as a kid and most of my adult life. When I hit my 30's I was active playing soccer (3 teams), running and generally out of the house. Well, after I had 2 children, I spent all of my free time with them, but continued to play soccer weekly since, with my husband once a week. At some point recently, I discovered my chest was laying on my stomach. Arrggghhh!!!!
I realized that the lack of excersise and my age was starting to take it toll on my body.
I have never owned a scale and was only weighing in once or twice a year at the doctors office. My weight was creeping up.
I felt like I couldn't even breath without my chest laying on my stomach. So, with determination I picked up some Tae-Bo videos and started excersising early in the morning.
I used to do aerobics and I found this was similar and I enjoy it. I've been getting up early to excersise now for about 3 months, and my chest if off of my stomach !!! That alone has encouraged my to continue with some form of excersise, 3-4 mornings a week. On the weekend I try to do an hour long video and I've included yoga. Being able to move again is an inspiration for me. I took for granted that my body has always taken care of me. Now it looks like it's my turn to take care of it.

[valeriek]

My story isn't really about me losing wieght, but about getting healthy. I finally quit smoking COMPLETELY (no sneaking them when no one was looking) about six months ago. I honestly have never felt better in my life. I NEVER thought I would get the point where I don't even crave them anymore, but that is where I am now.

I joined a gym and actually use the membership now. I look forward to aerobic exercise whereas before I was winded easily (I don't even want to think of the damage I was doing to my lungs). I have tons more energy and just FEEL GOOD. I've always eaten well (at least I thought so until I read how everybody else on this board eats http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif) so that was never my problem. I was just doing so much damage to my body through smoking that I felt awful all the time. I can't even begin to tell you all how doing that one thing has changed by whole outlook on life!

I know that wasn't about weight loss or diets, but I'm still amazed at how much better I feel since I gave up that nasty habit. It was the hardest thing I've ever done, but also the best thing I've ever done!