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Losing 100 Pounds In One Year
Posted on Mar 26th 2010 11:00AM by Kimberly PapaFiled Under: Motivation
We've seen contestants do it on "The Biggest Loser" season after season, but setting out to lose 100 pounds on your own is no small feat. It's a challenge Leslie J. Ansley isn't shying away from though. Ansley is determined to shed 100 pounds from her 295-pound frame this year, and she's documenting her journey on her blog, Less Leslie. During her journey Ansley won't just be battling the numbers on the scale, she'll be tackling the emotions behind why she -- like so many of us -- gain, or can't lose weight. That's Fit spoke with Ansley about how she came to set her ambitious 100-pound goal. That's Fit: One hundred pounds is an impressive amount of weight to lose. Have you tried to lose weight in the past?
Leslie J. Ansley: Let's put it this way, I'm 48 years old and there's been about 48 attempts to lose weight. I've done Weight Watchers at least five times, Atkins, Fat Flush and other fad diets. Everything works briefly, but nothing long term.
TF: Why do you think you haven't been successful in the past?
LJA: I never addressed the psychological issues -- and that's 90 percent of diet. I really do believe diets don't work, but only if you talk about diet without addressing the whole person. I think the psychological is what's missing in the weight loss dialogue. My therapist makes me do the work -- I cannot BS her. But I am grateful to have someone to vent to.
TF: In your blog, you talk about how the emotion trauma of being sexually abused as a child caused you to weight gain when you were younger. As an adult, did you realize that was a factor in not being able to lose it?
LJA: I have always known, there was no secret about what happened. I just never addressed it, and it doesn't work like that. When you're a kid, you don't know what's going on. You don't get it so it manifests later in life and became the main trigger for me. As a kid it was about protecting myself and as an adult every time I would start to lose weight I would feel that I would need to take self defense. To this day I feel I need to advance in karate, but now I understand why.
TF: What made you decide now was the time to lose the weight for good?
LJA: I just sat still and listened and thought to myself 'what do I need to do to make this work?' This weight -- it doesn't work for me.
TF: Why did you decide to blog about your weight loss?
LJA: I needed a whole bunch of people to have expectations. There's no way I can fail with everyone watching. I've gotten a lot of support and response so far, and now I've got this virtual support group.
TF: How is your diet going so far?
LJA: I feel so good. I'm already down 15 pounds. I am increasing my protein and not as focused on fat. Just eating as much as healthy, lean protein as I can and backing off on the carbs. That has made a big difference, but exercise is number one. I try to do it every other day. I can't afford a personal trainer, but I just entered a Biggest Loser Challenge at my gym. I love to compete -- it comes from being underestimated in my own life. I've had assumptions made about my competence, like being fat makes you stupid, but I'm pretty bright.
TF: What advice would you give to someone who wants to start losing weight?
LJA: Sit still and think about what it is you really want. Figure out why you want or need to lose this weight. Be honest with yourself and maybe considering talking to someone if there are some other issues you need to work out.
We'll be checking in with Leslie through her weight loss journey, but for more updates on her progress, check out Less Leslie.
