Caroline Freed Herself of Fast Food and Lost 145 Pounds

by Melissa Joulwan (Subscribe to Melissa Joulwan's posts)
Nov 2nd 2009 10:00AM

Categories: Diet & Weight Loss, Motivation, Success Stories

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Caroline Nittolo, Before
Photo: Caroline Nittolo

Name: Caroline Nittolo

Age: 35

Height: 5 feet, 2 inches

Before weight: 271

How I gained it: I have been overweight my entire life, but I gained the majority of the weight over the past five years. My dad was very sick and in the hospital for a long time, and I used food as an escape. I ate fast food three or four times a week; I was a fast food drive-thru queen! My favorite was McDonald's, but I would also go to Wendy's and Burger King. I always felt happy while I was eating the food, but I would feel guilty when I finished.

I never got out of the car, thinking that no one would see how big I was if I used the drive-thru. I ordered super-sized meals, but drank a Diet Coke with them, kidding myself that would make a difference. I do miss Ronald, Wendy, and the King, but they were no friends of mine. They were my worst enemy.

Breaking point: After my father passed away from complications from diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure, I hit rock bottom, and I was still using food as comfort. I went to see the doctor, and my blood pressure was very high. For the first time, I had health issues, and it scared me. Right around that time, I had to travel for a month on business/pleasure and had to take 14 different flights. I was so mortified that the seat belts didn't fit me! The worst part of the whole experience was that most of the flight attendants automatically brought the seat belt extender to me. They knew just looking at me that I would need it. It was horrible! I knew I was big, but I tried to block out the fact that most people could see how big I really was.

Caroline Nittolo, After
Photo: Caroline Nittolo

How I lost it: I joined Weight Watchers about 15 months ago, and it changed my life. I used to be inactive. I would lie on the couch all weekend long, and during the week, I took taxis to all my customer meetings in Manhattan. Just walking up a flight of stairs would leave me winded. I had a closet filled with clothes -- size 24/26 -- but nothing fit me; I used to just wear a pair of black pants to work everyday.

Now I wear a size two, and there isn't a single pair of black pants in my closet! I walk everywhere, and I workout for at least an hour almost every day. I've never felt comfortable in a gym, so I have my own routine at home. I love my Wii Fit and other Wii workout games because they're fun and don't make working out seem like a chore. I also like to do Pilates and Turbo Jam DVDs.

I follow the Weight Watchers plan and try to eat a very healthy, balanced diet. I work in sales, so I have to take customers out to lunch and dinner, sometimes three or four times I week. I learned that I don't need to avoid those situations, I just need to make smarter choices when eating out. It can be done! I lost the weight and maintained my weight loss while eating in restaurants. I've also totally given up fast food. Those calories just aren't worth it to me anymore.

I'm training right now to work for Weight Watchers, and I've never felt better!

After weight: 126

Caroline has maintained her weight loss for three months and lost another two pounds last week.

Weight Watchers might be a good option for you, too. Read what AOL Health has to say about the plan.

Comments (31)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

FRUG 11-02-2009 @ 8:19PM

HEY CAROLINE SO YOU LOST WEIGHT, WELL I'M HAPPY FOR YOU , BUT I FOUND IT IF YOU WANT IT BACK LET ME KNOW,,,,LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ashley 11-02-2009 @ 8:16PM

That's wonderful!!! This is much needed inspiration to get myself together.

ktboom 11-02-2009 @ 8:27PM

I also went to Weight Watchers and they did nothing for me! They took my money each week and I never lost one pound, in fact I gained three pounds in the six months I attended their meetings. All the coach would say is you must not be following the program! I wrote down everything that went in my mouth and showed it to the coach and they never did a thing for me! Just shrug their shoulders and repeat, you must not be following the program!

LC 11-02-2009 @ 9:07PM

Weight Watchers didn't work for me either. There are many people who have had success with it, but I'm not one of them.

Vicki 11-02-2009 @ 10:36PM

kt, apparently the Weight Watchers location you attended wasn't the right fit for you. If one leader and team is not helping you, you have options. You can attend a meeting at another location. I have worked for Weight Watchers for 5 years after having lost 30 pounds on the plan. We don't have "coaches" so I wonder if you might have been attending a franchise location. Everyone who works at Weight Watchers meetings have been through the program and lost weight and maintain it month after month and year after year. We work there because we have been where you are, and yes, we have had 2 members lose over 150 pounds and many who have lost 80 and 100 or more. It takes a huge committment and determination, and a lifestlye change for life, and we are there to help you along that journey.

Pat De Range 11-02-2009 @ 8:44PM

She looks GREAT, I know she had to give up alot to do that.

cindyh2009 11-02-2009 @ 9:22PM

I wonder did she do the lap band too because I know people who tried and never lost that much weight on weight watchers.

carol238 11-02-2009 @ 9:35PM

Cindyh2009, No I didn't do the lap band...it was all Weight Watchers. I know it doesn't always work for everyone, but it did work for me. I love the program.

LC 11-02-2009 @ 9:02PM

How is it that EVERYONE who loses weight is a size 2?! I am 5'6" and at my thinnest weight of 133 (and I was very active and very fit) I was a size 6.

carol238 11-02-2009 @ 9:35PM

LC...I am an actual size 2...I sometimes find it hard to believe too...lol

LG 11-02-2009 @ 10:25PM

this is not the forum you should be in horn dog!!!!!

Rei 11-02-2009 @ 10:17PM

In response to LC, she's also 4 inches shorter than you. Petite women often wear smaller sizes when they're in shape. 'Tis just a natural thing, I suppose. I'm only 4'10" (and proud) and I wear a size 0 or 1. We do, however, need to stay skinnier because finding clothes that flatter a shorter stature is hard enough to do without being at a higher weight. Oh the woes of being short, hahah!

Carol238 11-02-2009 @ 10:27PM

Rei...I agree. I am the actual Caroline from this article...I do think being shorter has a lot to do with it. I sometimes can't believe it when XS are too big on me...

deedee 11-02-2009 @ 10:37PM

I am 5'2' and 131lbs and I wear size 6. I question her wearing a size two. Even when I weighed 110 lbs before I had children I never wore a size 2. I joined Weight Watchers and remained on their program for over a year and only lost 10 lbs and regained it all. I subsequently lost weight by eating the right foods in the right portions and exercising and committing my ways to God and allowing him to remold me. I would like to know whose label clothing she wears.

carol238 11-02-2009 @ 11:45PM

deedee,

I am Caroline from this article...and yes, I am in fact a size 2 (believe me...I sometimes find it hard to believe too...lol). I wear all different type of designer clothes...and they are all size 2. I really think it depends on a person's body type, etc. We are all made different. I really don't care about the size clothes I wear...just that I feel great and that I am healthy.

Vicki 11-02-2009 @ 10:39PM

Actually, the only thing you have to give up on the Weight Watchers plan is eating as much as you want and balancing your diet with the right foods. It was important for me to have a weight loss plan that allowed me to eat the sweets that I love, I just can't eat as much of them.

Benny 11-02-2009 @ 10:51PM

i'm 6'1 and i weight 225. the doctors want me to 200. i use to be 245. once i got to 215 but i had to eat things i didn't like. it wasn't worth being under 215 if i couldn't eat what i liked. i'll be happy just to be at 215.

jwic3 11-02-2009 @ 10:57PM

Stop hating about her size she looks great! she can be a sz 2 she is top heavy 2 people of the sameheight and weight can most certainly be shaped differently!

carol238 11-02-2009 @ 11:38PM

I am the Caroline from this article...thank you for sticking up for me...not sure what the obsession with the Size 2 is...but I am in fact a size 2. Crazy isn't it??? LOL

Shellie 11-02-2009 @ 11:01PM

What a super story! I wish I could be one..... I love reading these, but then get a little discouraged because I have tried and failed too many times. Do others feel that way? Good job Caroline..... I hope that someone can do this because you have inspired them!

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