Success Story: Amanda

AKA "Roguex1979" on Weight Loss Resources

Dieting History

I have tried so many diets but never for very long. I love food and love to eat, so ‘starving’ myself, only eating fruit and veg, the cabbage soup diet, and others didn’t work for me. I had done calorie counting a few years ago when I only needed to lose a couple of kilos and it worked so well, but when I got married and had my daughter I felt I couldn’t calorie count because I couldn’t feed two other people and calorie count for myself. It was too much bother.

Have you lost weight before and regained the weight?

Absolutely! I used to weigh 54 kilos and then came to England and with such a variety of junk food about I gained a few kilos. I then discovered calorie counting and lost the weight but after I met my husband I started putting the weight on again. They call it ‘being comfortable.’

I also couldn’t be bothered to try again to lose the weight by dieting. I joined a gym but failed. Then I got pregnant and after my daughter was born, I lost 4 kilos. I weighed less than before I was pregnant! Lucky me! But after 3 years I weighed myself and got the shock of my life, I had put on 10 kilos without realising it because as far as I was concerned my eating habits hadn’t changed.

How being overweight has affected you…

Where to begin? My self esteem, confidence and sex drive all flew out of the window. When I weighed 54 kilos I still thought I was fat so how do you think I felt when I realised I was 70kilos?

I couldn’t look at myself in the mirror, my husband weighed less than me and he was getting frustrated that I wouldn’t be with him physically. It wasn’t his fault. I just hated being naked and didn’t feel attractive one bit. I felt like a blob!

If I went out to a nightclub my one friend said I used to wear little skirts and strappy tops and look great. Now I would wear trousers and a nice top that more or less covered everything up. Wearing a skirt was definitely out of the question because my thighs rubbed together and I would be so sore by the end of the day! Also no one asks you ‘Have you put on weight? It looks great!’ No, they just don’t say anything to spare your feelings.

Motivation to Lose Weight

Again, where do I start? The real thing that got me really seriously thinking and doing the weight loss thing was my sister. She and I are more or less the same height but I was always slimmer than her although she was fit because she played tennis and other sports. She also never used to wear flattering clothing. Since then, she has lost loads of weight and is looking great! Her stomach is so flat and her thighs don’t rub together. To be honest, I was envious. I used to look like that but didn’t appreciate it at the time! Now, all I want to do is lose the weight and look great!

Also I actually fear losing my husband to someone slimmer than me although he says that would never happen. I am pretty sure he would. Maybe I’m being paranoid but it runs through other women’s minds. Why not mine when I have definitely let myself go? I am definitely doing it more for myself than him. I want to look good. I want to be slim again and I want to be the same woman my husband fell for 5 years ago!

Having already lost weight and already feeling good about myself, I know losing the rest will be even better.

Discovering Weight Loss Resources

Since I knew calorie counting had worked for me in the past I was looking for a relatively cheap and effective calorie counter online. I used to have a pocket book but it’s way out of date now. So I typed ‘calorie counter’ into the Yahoo search engine and one of the first few things that came up was Weight Loss Resources. I only looked at what it had to offer me for a little while before seeing it was exactly what I was looking for.

How Weight Loss Resources Helps

I have to admit that I haven’t really been using this site for anything other than using the food database. That in itself has helped a lot.

I have already lost over half the weight I need to by seeing just how many calories I used to eat in the day. I was eating way more than 2000 calories. On some days when I am hungrier it is hard to maintain 1100 calories but my goal is firmly in place now and even when I decide to cheat a little bit and have a snack I find myself looking at exactly how many calories it has and more often than not I’ll put it back!

I miss eating things like chocolate and cheese but I have substituted them with low fat/low calorie chocolate drinks such as Highlights Hot Chocolate (mint – yummy) and cottage cheese or low fat cheese spread.

I am also definitely eating more fruit and vegetables and have had to cut back on pastas and rice which were my staple diet.

I have also discovered that you can use other dieting aids such as Weight Watchers meals and the Good for You range at Asda to help you out. I can have fish and chips with my daughter and hubby but theirs is regular, mine is Good for You.

The Best of Weight Loss Resources

I have to say that I mostly use the food diary and then my details and goals. I sometimes do look at the message boards but very rarely, more just to see how others are doing and maybe lend my ear to someone who has hit a rough spot.

Amanda's Tips for Losing Weight

Using the site everyday and PLANNING your meals in advance is an excellent way to avoid plunging into the day and then thinking ‘Hmmm, what can I have today... oh I can’t be bothered! Where's the nearest McDonald’s? Also remember that when you hit that plateau when your body doesn’t want to lose weight it’s not going to last and after a week you will start losing the weight again. It’s so important not to get discouraged at that point.

Losing weight and seeing it in the mirror and on the scales is a great feeling and what’s even better is when your friends, family and work colleagues start noticing and telling you they have noticed. It’s very encouraging.

Also remember that you are not the only one who is trying to lose weight. I think everyone in my office is currently on some diet or another! There’s always a groan through the office when it’s someone’s birthday and they bring in cakes! These days though they bring in healthy alternatives as well!

Katrina's Vital Statistics

	Before	Now
Weight	68kg (10st 10lb) (but have been heavier)	57kg (9st)