Mary: Diet Success Story
Mary's yo-yo dieted for years. Her motivation to lose weight
and become healthier was completing a trek in Nepal for Breast
Cancer Care.
Age: 49
Height: 5' 5"
Start Weight: 12st 3lb
Current Weight: 10st 7lb
Goal Weight: 10st 7lb
Weight Lost: 1st 10lb
Working to Rate of Loss: 1-2lb per week
Dieting History
GI,
Atkins,
Weight Watchers,
Detox, Facial Analysis, Detox
again, Gillian McKeith, Grapefruit Diet,
Cabbage Soup,
F-Plan.
Have you lost weight before and regained the weight?
Often. Approximately every two years for the last 15 years,
I’ve gained 1½ stone – 2 stone and lost some of it.
How being overweight has affected you…
Stopped me going out. I lived in tracksuits ‘socially’
constantly obsessed about how I looked. I hid behind my
profession and had no social life. Since losing weight my
confidence outside work has increased enormously and I feel a
more 'complete' person. I don’t think people’s
perception of me changed but I’m often seen in a professional
capacity and people don’t see ‘me’.
Motivation to Diet
It is my 50th birthday this year. Realising that I have to
take responsibility for my weight and accept that the
menopause,
underactive thyroid etc does not mean I cannot lose weight. It
just means I have to eat less than 20 years ago. Mainly I wanted
to be fit to embark on a trek to Nepal for Breast Cancer Care in
March 2006. I completed the trek really easily, mainly thanks to
the drop in weight, upping the exercise and especially to some
really specific advice from fellow WLR members.
Discovering Weight Loss Resources
I read an article in Health & Fitness Magazine. I logged on
for the free trial and realised within 24 hours that this
was for me. I signed up for six months minimum immediately.
How Weight Loss Resources Helps
I realised the importance of measuring food and exercising
regularly.
Some weeks my loss was very slow and I hit a plateau
frequently. What kept me going were the message boards. I’ve had
tremendous support with diet and exercise and also personally.
When a good friend died of breast cancer many users also
sponsored me for my trek. These ‘strangers’ have become good
friends. I’m constantly amazed with messages of support and
advice re: training, food etc.
From reading the boards I have
bought a HRM and realised that when I exercise I am not burning
calories at the rate I thought. In a way this is a boost because
it shows I’m fitter than I thought and also this is why I
haven’t lost weight in the past. Although I’ve exercised I have
over compensated by eating too much post work-out.
The Best of Weight Loss Resources
Food and Exercise diaries and mainly the Advice and Support
message board. I have also become addicted to ‘Caloris’ which
makes me remember playing Tetris with my sons on game boy.
Mary's Dieting Tips
- Be Honest! That scrape of butter everyday does add up. Use
the site exercise calculations, not the gym machines which can
be really inaccurate.
- It is a fine balance of calories in and calories out. If
you are honest it will work.
- Go to the gym and eat anything within moderation and
within your calorie allowance.
- It does not take 3-4 weeks to gain 2 stone so it won’t
take 3-4 weeks to lose it. Slow loss is permanent loss
providing healthy eating principles.
- WLR is for life not for short term weight loss.
- Most users are experts at losing weight but not
maintaining so use the site after you reach your goal.
Bonus Tip:
Whether you're planning a trip of a lifetime or simply
looking for a diet - try the WLR tools for
24 hours. |
