That's Fithttp://www.thatsfit.comThat's Fithttp://www.thatsfit.com/media/feedlogo.gifThat's Fithttp://www.thatsfit.comen-usCopyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Meditation Helped Alyson Lose the 80 Pounds She Gained From A Stressful Jobhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2011/05/12/meditation-helped-alyson-lose-the-80-pounds-she-gained-from-a-st/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/05/12/meditation-helped-alyson-lose-the-80-pounds-she-gained-from-a-st/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/05/12/meditation-helped-alyson-lose-the-80-pounds-she-gained-from-a-st/#commentsFiled under: ,

By Alyson Mead

Courtesy of Alyson Mead

When I first came to meditation, around 15 years ago, I thought I was a pretty focused person. During the day, I held down a job as a book editor, wrote at night, and juggled freelance assignments for various magazines and web sites. But as I began to read about what happens to the mind when we endlessly multitask, this "skill" didn't seem so cool anymore.

At first, meditation just seemed like a good way to calm my over-stimulated mind. I've been an insomniac since childhood, and hoped meditation would help me sleep. A non-negotiable 15 minutes was quickly added to my schedule, and I saw my concentration improve. I slept better, with fewer interruptions. There was a tiny gap in my experience, not terribly big yet, but there all the same. This gap eventually widened, and I began to see that as I struggled with my body through endless diets and militaristic workouts, maybe all wasn't as it appeared on the outside.

It's no secret that we live in a copiously multitasking world. Technically, though, the brain can't multitask. Instead of performing two tasks at once, it chooses one thing to focus on, and moves the second thing to the back burner. This results in a pretty serious lack of focus.

What does this all have to do with weight loss, you ask? A lot, as it turns out.

What if the extra weight I'd gained during a stressful job was really a reflection of my disengagement with my own life? Slowly, I began to notice that I'd lost touch with my senses, forgetting to taste my food, failing to notice the sensual feeling of fabrics on my skin, to bring my awareness to the dancing sparks in my husband's eyes.

No wonder the pounds had begun to creep on. As my body separated from my mind and emotions, I'd pretended they didn't exist, either. Until one day, with the help of an undiagnosed thyroid problem and a serious case of physical exhaustion, I woke up to find myself 80 pounds overweight. That has a way of shocking you back into reality.

I refused to add shame to the already-confusing mix of emotions. Along with bettering my sleep patterns, meditation had also taught me to value my moment-to-moment experience, to look for a more conscious way of doing things. That meant that most popular diet plans, which utilize shame as a potent weapon of compliance, were out.

If you've ever trained an animal, you know that the most humane way is through the use of positive reinforcement. This causes that response to be repeated and even strengthened through time. The interesting thing, to me, is that most of us don't treat ourselves as well as we treat our pets. Instead, we believe that we to be hounded into making better choices. But if we actually began to make these changes, in small and manageable ways, maybe we'd find that the results became their own reward. Cue the light bulb going on over my head!

Which brings us back to meditation. When I sat down to meditate, I told myself that I was worthy of attention and, most of all, respect. I cast aside shame and cultivated tolerance for myself -- a realistic tolerance that factored in the need to change. From there, I learned to be more informed about my choices, and voila! The pounds started to come off.

When we're less reactive, we don't eat mindlessly. We have that tiny gap in our experience, right before our next breath, to remind us that we can make better decisions in the moment (even the most stressful ones). We can express gratitude for the food we eat. We begin to feel more connected, part of a greater whole. We move our bodies in ways that make us feel more alive.

And when we make mistakes, as all humans will, we can return to ourselves with respect. We can gently readjust our focus back to achieving our best body, just as we return to the next breath in meditation.

Alyson Mead is the bestselling author of "Wake Up to Your Stories and Wake Up to Your Weight Loss." She's lost 80 pounds, using a combination of meditation and the development of a personal storytelling practice. The Write It Off Club, her online coaching program, provides an affordable and fun support system, to help you achieve your best body. Read her blog on Red Room.

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]]>meditationmotivationpersonal weight loss storiessuccess storiesThat's Fit EditorsThu, 12 May 2011 11:00:00 ESTA Puppy Inspired Abby to Walk-Off 41 Poundshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2011/04/18/a-puppy-inspired-abby-to-walk-off-41-pounds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/04/18/a-puppy-inspired-abby-to-walk-off-41-pounds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/04/18/a-puppy-inspired-abby-to-walk-off-41-pounds/#commentsFiled under:

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Abby Before

Name: Abby Austin

Age: 28

Height: 5'9"

Before Weight: 219 lbs

How I Gained It: My weight has always fluctuated with my mindset, and it showed. Seesaw periods of emotional eating followed by crash diets put this weight on over seven years. Each time my husband deployed, I felt fear for my soldier's safety and loneliness without my partner. I confided in stuffed crust, frozen pizza -- not just a slice, all of it. Then when it came close to my husband's return, I would do the Atkins diet. During each crash diet, I lost only most of what I had previously gained -- never all of it. When I gained back the crash weight, I gained all of it and then some. Then, I fell in a deep rut after our military transfer. I was resentful about leaving loved ones and giving up an exciting career, and I felt like a victim in a life I couldn't control. Pass me a slice of pizza!

Breaking Point: During a routine doctor's appointment in November 2009, I had high blood pressure. According to my health records, my pressure had raised steadily during the time frame of my weight gains, and now it had reached a level that was unsafe. I ignored it. Hospitals made me nervous. This kind of news is hard to overlook, especially because heart problems run in my family. Eventually, I saw the baggage I was carrying -- not just the extra weight in my mid-section; it was in my head, too. I longed for change.

How I Lost It: For Christmas 2009, my husband gave me purpose: Her name was Emma, and she was 20 pounds of German Shepherd puppy. She became my inspiration.

My 2010 resolution became to raise a dog. I became active just by taking Emma for walks and practicing obedience. But I wasn't deliberately incorporating fitness into my lifestyle until my coworker and close friend pointed out my weight loss. I had "accidentally" lost 11 pounds. If it were that easy...? I thought back to college in my mandatory health class where we explored different workout trends, and remembered Pilates and bought a home workout DVD. By the time spring rolled around, I had lost 22 pounds by walking five to six times a week and practicing Pilates four to five.

With my fitness regime working, I gradually made improvements to my diet. I changed from eating "white" (white bread, white rice, and white pasta) to "brown" (wheat bread, brown rice, wheat pasta). I craved fresh fruits and vegetables and experimented with new recipes that incorporated them. I ate my salads and sandwiches naked without dressing, finding satisfaction in the true flavors of the food rather than masking them under sauces. I figured out how to improve my favorites. My former go-to food, pizza, was just as satisfying with thin, wheat crust, low-fat cheese, and fresh vegetable topping. The funny thing about all this today is that I continue to eat using these healthy modifications, but I'm not dieting; I'm eating my new normal.

It was a celebratory visit with my doctor the day we saw that my blood pressure had dropped to a healthy range. I was on the right track. When I started feeling physically good, I became positive and released the resentment and depression I carried. The body and the mind are connected. Supposedly, the mind can heal the body, but I think it works the other way, too.

Abby Now



What's Next: Besides being a fitness resolution, the 1,000 Mile Challenge is preparing me for the hike of my lifetime: The Wonderland Trail, the 100 mile trail around the base of Mt. Rainier in Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington. I hope my blog will follow my story when I hike that trail. In the mean time, I have 740 miles to hike before I reach one thousand.

After Weight: 178 pounds and counting (Her goal is 165 lbs).

Abby is currently on mile 260 of her 1,000 Mile Challenge. Read more about her journey and experiences at her blog: http://1000milesonmyowntwofeet.blogspot.com/

Have you defied the odds, lost weight and changed your life for the better? Submit your success story to us and help inspire others!



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]]>1000 mile challengechanging dietschanging lifestyleshealthy dietshikingpilatessuccess-storieswalkingwalking it offThat's Fit EditorsMon, 18 Apr 2011 11:33:00 ESTJoining the Army Motivated Rebecca to Drop 45 Poundshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2011/04/14/joining-the-army-motivated-rebecca-to-drop-45-pounds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/04/14/joining-the-army-motivated-rebecca-to-drop-45-pounds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/04/14/joining-the-army-motivated-rebecca-to-drop-45-pounds/#commentsFiled under:

Becca Before

Name: Rebecca Fredrick

Age: 38

Height: 5'6"

Before Weight: 200 lbs

How I Gained It: I gained the weight slowly over four years. I had previously been working full time in the horse industry and had always been very active through the normal course of my work day. I wasn't health conscious; I just burned everything I ate. But once I moved to a new state, switched to a desk job and got married all within a six month period without changing my eating habits, it started to catch up with me.

Breaking Point: I attribute my success to two "turning points" in my life. The first was a family trip to Israel. I didn't own a scale at the time, and while staying overnight at my dad's house before we left, I was shocked to learn from his that I weighed 200 pounds. The photos taken during the trip were even more startling -- that's my before photo! I had no idea who that person was. The trip was also the last weekend with my husband. We separated when we got home, and with my marriage went my sense of self. I didn't like who I had become and I was ready for some change.

That time in my life started me in the right direction, but it was the second turning point -- joining the Army reserves -- that changed everything. I started considering the Army for several reasons. I liked the idea of having a part time job with a purpose and I liked that could become full time if needed. I wanted the camaraderie of training and working with like minded people; people with motivation, focus, goals, and patriotism. I'm not political at all, but I am deeply patriotic. Also, I really needed the personal and physical challenge to do and be more and joining the Army provided that That decision is what galvanized me into action, and I finally got serious about health and fitness.

How I Lost It: Originally I started with a modified Slim Fast-type diet, using protein shakes instead of meals. I also walked my dogs for 30 minutes twice a day, and progressed to longer hikes. At first I wasn't focused specifically on health or fitness; I was just tired of being overweight. Initially I lost 52 pounds and got down to 148, but when I moved out of the area, I gained 12 pounds back and held steady around 160 for the next two years. I had reached my goal of losing weight and suddenly it wasn't the right goal anymore.

I joined a gym and was doing cardio and light weight training, but my weight wasn't budging and I was still not feeling healthy or fit. When I decided to join the Army, I hired a personal trainer, joined the boot camp fitness class, and took up running with a vengeance. Having an actual ship date to basic combat training is the big motivating goal for me right now, but in the meantime, I also have incremental goals to reach. I'm running a 5k once a month until I leave, and I'd like to get down to a 10-minute mile. I alternate running with strength and endurance training, and I work out with my personal trainer twice a week. I would like to be down to 140-ish by the time I ship, but my actual weight is less important than my fitness.

I've learned that measurable goals are important, and it's crucial to set new goals once you've

Becca Now

reached one. I've also learned an amazing amount about maintaining a healthy diet through reading blogs and online research. I love food, so I won't deprive myself of anything, but it's become clear that changing my eating habits and living a new lifestyle is the only way to maintain success -- it not just about dieting and cutting calories when you need to. When it comes to healthy eating, it's easier for me to reach my goals when I get creative with recipes and cooking. Recipes have to be fun, easy and tasty.

The desire to join the Army motivated me to become a different person. I have never been athletic but now I push myself to the point of exhaustion and enjoy it. I am surrounded by amazing people who motivate me daily, and what truly motivates me is to helping motivate others. I've had a few setbacks, minor injuries and illness, but the progress I've made and the people around me keep me motivated through it all.

The biggest lesson I've learned? You can do anything you set your mind to, regardless of age, ability, or how out of character it might seem. You are the only one holding yourself back. My new motto is this: What if you tried something new and it changed your life? I'm 38-years-old and I'm in the best shape of my life so far, but I'm not even close to my final fitness level goal. So, what's your excuse? What are you waiting for? You can change your life today, and I am living proof of that.

After Weight: 155 pounds and counting

Becca just finished a 5K and will conquer another one in May.

Have you defied the odds, lost weight and changed your life for the better? Submit your success story to us and help inspire others!

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]]>5kboot campcaloriescardiodietinggymrunningSlim Fastsuccess-storiesweight trainingMartha EdwardsThu, 14 Apr 2011 13:00:00 ESTCecilia Lost 30 Pounds and Conquered Diabeteshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2011/04/11/cecilia-lost-30-pounds-and-conquered-diabetes/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/04/11/cecilia-lost-30-pounds-and-conquered-diabetes/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/04/11/cecilia-lost-30-pounds-and-conquered-diabetes/#commentsFiled under: ,

Cecilia Before

Name: Cecilia Liu

Age: 60

Height: 5 Feet, 1 inch

Before Weight: 148 pounds

How I Gained It: Growing up, I always suspected that I would be overweight and diabetic once I reached middle age. Both of my parents had serious diabetes so it seemed like it was inevitable. My mother needed insulin injections three times a day from age of 54 until she passed away at age 75.

Still, I didn't think being chubby was a bad thing. In fact, it took me 30 years to begin to see that my weight was a problem. I am blessed with a loving husband who was has always been my biggest fan at any weight. When I was at my heaviest, he constantly told me that there was more for him to love. As a result, over those 30 years I had gained 42 pounds. In fact, I was sometimes mistaken for my husband's mom!

Breaking Point: My awakening moment came when I went in for a physical and my doctor told me I was confirmed a diabetic, and I needed to take medication to treat both my diabetes and high cholesterol. I was only 53.

In fact, all of my vital signs were very poor at that point. My blood pressure was 145/94, my A1C test was 6.3, and my triglyceride number was 218. Looking at those vials of medication I was destined to take for the rest of my life and reading those side effect warnings, I made up my mind right then and there that I was not going to be dependent on drugs for my health.

How I Lost It: Because of my health scare, I realized that I had nothing much to lose by trying to get healthy, so I did all I could to learn about weight loss and treating diabetes. I gave myself a six month deadline to improve my health before I would give in and start taking medication.

Cecilia Now

I went to library right away and checked out 13 books on diabetes and six books on weight loss. Then I went to work. It took a week for me to formulate a plan on how to change my lifestyle and live more healthfully.

I based my diet on a mixture of Atkins and the Mediterranean Diet. I started eating four portions of colorful veggies and one portion of meat or seafood a day, plus lots of nuts, whole eggs, cheese, oat bran and other high fiber foods. As for beverages, I also drink six cups of coffee and two bottles of light beer a day. Drinking beer might not sound like a great diet tip, but for me, it worked! My diet plan was so successful that I've started helping other people manage their diabetes. I have a blog, Agingbusters, to help aging boomers like me benefit from my experience and busting through aging problems like diabetes and weight gain.

Now, 7 years later, I am happy to report that I've lost nearly 35 pounds and my diabetes is under firm control. My vital signs are 112/67 (blood pressure,) 5.2 (A1C test,) 85 (triglycerides) and 93 (HDL.)

After Weight: 114 pounds

Cecilia has maintained her weight loss for seven years.

Have you defied the odds, lost weight and changed your life for the better? Submit your success story to us and help inspire others!

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]]>Atkinsblood pressurediabetesdiabeticmedicationMediterranean Dietoverweightsuccess-storiesweight lossMartha EdwardsMon, 11 Apr 2011 10:00:00 ESTGetting Laid Off Pushed Richard to Shed 155 Poundshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2011/04/04/getting-laid-off-pushed-richard-to-shed-155-pounds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/04/04/getting-laid-off-pushed-richard-to-shed-155-pounds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/04/04/getting-laid-off-pushed-richard-to-shed-155-pounds/#commentsFiled under: ,

Richard Before

Name: Richard Paciej

Age: 52

Height: 5 ft 10 inches

Before Weight: 335 pounds

How I Gained It: My story is probably like everyone with a similar journey. I tried to go on a diet for a long time. Every Sunday in church I would pray to lose weight and start a diet, but by Tuesday, I was done with the diet. It went on for eight years.

I was always in good shape -- although I was fat, I wasn't lazy. I had it in my head that as long as I was active, I could eat whatever I wanted.

At my heaviest, I started to notice that my kids didn't like me hanging around the ball field during their practices. Most likely they were ashamed of me. I decided that if the other dads or players did not like me for who I was, it was their problem. Boy, was I wrong. It was my problem.

Breaking Point: When I was at my heaviest weight, 335 pounds, I was laid off from my job. I was lucky. Why? I knew that I would not get another job if I looked like a fat, lazy person. I'm not lazy, but I knew no one would believe that unless they knew me. That was one of the biggest motivators for me.

How I Lost It: In September 2009, I was looking for a way to lose weight and came across
the Cabbage Soup Diet book that my sister gave to me two years earlier. After seven days, I lost about 10 pounds. After that, my sleep problems (likely sleep apnea) were gone. Then, my sister-in-law bought me some of Jillian Michaels' books and that helped teach me about metabolism and eating the right foods -- it was a life changer.

I stuck to 1,600 calories a day with only 20 percent carbs. I cut out processed foods, rice, bread, canned foods, junk food, fast food, sugary drinks and alcohol, plus I drank lots of water. I wrote down everything I ate and weighed myself once a week, which kept me in line. But it was difficult because my family did not change their eating habits, so there was always candy and chocolate around the house. I had to find it in me to avoid that stuff. I realize now that I ate mostly for comfort. Now, I don't have the desire to because I know it will make me feel worse.

I'm not a runner so I started walking -- about two hours a day, six days a week. I also purchased workout DVDs for rainy days. Nowadays, I use a bike trainer and do strength training as well.

Richard Now

One of the best things I started doing was having a veggie smoothie every day for lunch. I put in all the good stuff: a handful of spinach, broccoli, carrots, half green pepper, half of an onion,
garlic, celery, and a tomato. I get all my veggies for the day in one go. Ive done this for over a year and my skin, hair and overall health have benefited greatly.

There are so many benefits to losing weight. When I was overweight, my wedding ring was so tight that I had to get it cut off -- I had never taken it off before. I recently got it repaired and I am wearing it again. I've gone off my blood pressure medicine. I also got rid of all my fat clothes and I've loved buy nice, new clothes that don't come from the plus size stores. I feel great!

So many people have commented on my weight loss. The woman who cleans my house was looking into weight loss surgery, but since seeing me do it the hard way, she's decided that she can do it too. That made my day.

After Weight: 180 pounds

It took Richard a little over a year to lose nearly 160 pounds, and he's maintained it for six months now.

Have you defied the odds, lost weight and changed your life for the better? Submit your success story to us and help inspire others!

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]]>blood pressureCabbage Soup DietcaloriescarbsdietJillian Michaelsoverweightprocessed foodsleep apneasuccess-storieswalkingMartha EdwardsMon, 04 Apr 2011 10:00:00 ESTTough Love Inspired Melissa to Lose 70 Poundshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2011/03/31/tough-love-inspired-melissa-to-lose-70-pounds-while-blogging-abo/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/03/31/tough-love-inspired-melissa-to-lose-70-pounds-while-blogging-abo/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/03/31/tough-love-inspired-melissa-to-lose-70-pounds-while-blogging-abo/#commentsFiled under:

Melissa Before

Every week, we introduce you to bloggers who share their weight loss journeys and hefty doses of inspiration with their readers. This week's featured blogger is Melissa from The No Excuses Zone.

Name: Melissa Murphy

Age: 41

Height: 5 feet, 7 inches

Start Weight: 269

Current Weight: 196

Goal Weight: 140

My Weight Loss Approach: Looking back, my weight has always been on the extreme side. When I married, I weighed 110 pounds, and when I gave birth to my first son, I weighed 180 pounds, so there was no healthy middle ground. I lost 30 pounds after his birth, but I gained another 60 pounds when I became pregnant with my second son. It spiraled from there -- I began comfort eating out of boredom and stress, and I never worked out. As my weight ballooned, I started hiding: I deliberately avoided my last class reunion because I was ashamed of my weight. I was very thin in high school, but now I was on the opposite end of the weight spectrum and I couldn't stand to admit I'd become obese.

I knew something had to give when I turned 40 and was having one health crisis after another. A doctor advised me to lose weight, and it worked -- my health improved when I lost 20 pounds. But despite my health issues, losing weight seemed like too much work, and I quickly gained it all back.

Finally, it was the angry comment from someone I love dearly that pushed me to do something about my weight. They said: "You're not young; you're not cute; you're just old and fat and gray." I felt like I'd been slapped in the face. I was too floored to reply, but once I got my bearings, I decided I couldn't do anything about the old part, but I could fix the fat and the gray. Pride does have its strong point sometimes.

I'd watched so many of my friends and family fight with fad diets and gimmicks over the years that I knew they didn't work -- at least not in the long run. I knew it had to be a permanent thing. I started with the Atkins approach then modified it to something I could live with. I also recommend Anne Louise Gittleman's book "Before the Change."

I started drinking more water, cutting out salt, and eating more fruits and veggies -- my favorites are baby greens, avocados and pretty much anything that's brightly colored. I serve lean cuts of meat and stay away from pasta and white bread. You won't find anything highly processed in my house. I try to stick to free-range and organic foods, and I love sushi. But when I'm tempted to eat things like cookies, I let myself have a small portion, and I don't punish myself for indulging.

I also try to spend some time in the sun every day (responsibly). The natural vitamin D is good for my skin and nails, and it helps with my iron absorption.

Melissa Now

I live in a small community, and there are no gyms for me to work out at so I've started doing Pilates videos, and I walk or run on the local trails, depending on my mood. I love to run -- it makes me feel so alive and free!

Why I wanted to blog about it: I wanted others to see that we're all human. It's okay to make mistakes. It's okay to stumble and fall. I want to be a positive influence and show people that they can be sexy, fabulously fit 40-somethings even when battling obesity. It's also a check mechanism for me. If figured if I posted my weight and measurements on a fairly regular basis then I would be forced to stick with it. I'm not one to admit defeat.

The best part of blogging is: The therapeutic qualities in writing about my successes and failures and seeing the real progress even at times it feels like nothing is happening are what keeps me going.

Best comment I've received: "Whoa! Look at you! You're so skinny!" That was from someone who hadn't seen me in about a year. The other best comment was from a woman who also hadn't seen me in about a year: "My goodness! I didn't know who you were!" And the best comment was from my mother, "You have a waist again!"

What's next for my blog: I hope to turn my trials and errors in weight loss into a book. I want to help others realize that cookie-cutter diets don't work. It's a real commitment and a "what next after I reach this goal" plan to changing your lifestyle that works best.

Melissa's next big challenge will be running a 5k at the end of April.

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]]>Atkinsblogging-downboredomcomfort eatingfad dietsgimmicksgymshealthlose weightobesityPilatesrunstressvitamin DwalkweightMartha EdwardsThu, 31 Mar 2011 14:00:00 ESTMichelle Stayed Away From Buffets and Lost 70 Poundshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2011/03/28/michelle-stayed-away-from-buffets-and-lost-70-pounds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/03/28/michelle-stayed-away-from-buffets-and-lost-70-pounds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/03/28/michelle-stayed-away-from-buffets-and-lost-70-pounds/#commentsFiled under: ,

Michelle Before

Name: Michelle Swift

Age: 49

Height: 5 feet, 10 inches

Before Weight: 224 pounds

How I Gained It: Unlike most people, who comfort-eat to self-medicate and deal with emotional problems, I ate because I was happy. I had remarried, and my new husband loved to go to buffets, so I happily went with him. I can't speak for other people, but for me, buffets do something to me emotionally. I find it's easy to eat beyond your physical limit when you are paying one price and want to get your money's worth. On top of that, I was not eating a healthy diet -- I ate a lot of fat, sugar and processed foods.

Breaking Point: I recall not being able to look at myself in the mirror. I'm not talking about full-length mirrors -- though I cried many times in a store's dressing room. I couldn't even look at my face in the mirror anymore. I didn't recognize myself. The person looking back at me was somebody else -- the spirit was the same, but the outer person was not someone I knew, nor was it someone I wanted to be. Just going to the store to try on clothes would push me to tears.

How I Lost It: I've been a yo-yo dieter for years. I've lost weight in the past, through fee-based weight loss groups and on my own, but I was never successful at keeping it off. SparkPeople changed that. The resources and the community gave me the tools I needed to lose it for good.

I started by tracking every bite I ate on SparkPeople. Having a daily calorie allotment allowed me to lose weight without depriving myself -- for instance, I love chocolate, so I ate a little bit of it every day and just fit it into my daily calorie count.

As I started to focus on my health, I quit eating so much processed foods and started eating a cleaner, fresher and simpler diet. I learned that food in its most basic form is more nutrient packed, so by eating unprocessed foods, I could actually eat more food and still lose weight. I also started cooking more -- I tried lots of new recipes and things I'd never heard of before, and over time, I found that eating healthy can be delicious!

Michelle Now

Exercise is key, and for me, finding fun exercises was especially important. Fitness really can change your metabolism and improve your energy levels, no matter what you weigh. Everyone needs to find what motivates them -- do fun things, mix things up or exercise with a friend.

Of course, the support was also a big part of it -- I connected with others right from the start to get the encouragement I needed. Thanks to the online community, I was never at a loss for new strategies or motivation. And helping others helped motivate me, in turn.

Throughout my journey, I've made sure to celebrate every success. Nothing is too small to share or be proud of. Even the smallest successes -- like not eating the last helping of mashed potatoes or getting in an extra 10 minutes of exercise -- are worth celebrating.

Even though I had lost weight before, I was more successful this time because I finally realized that it really wasn't about the weight. It was more about creating a healthy lifestyle that I could maintain forever. As I continued to steadily lose the weight, I started running, and in 2008, I ran my first half marathon. I never expected to be hooked on running. I also never expected to be a size 8, but here I am!

After Weight: 154 pounds

Michelle has maintained her weight loss for two years and counting.

Have you defied the odds, lost weight and changed your life for the better? Submit your success story to us and help inspire others!

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]]>Exercisehalf-marathonmetabolismrecipessparkpeoplesparkpeople dietsuccess-storiessugaryo-yo dieterMartha EdwardsMon, 28 Mar 2011 10:00:00 ESTFrom Frumpy to Fitness Model: How Jennie Lost 70 Poundshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2011/03/21/from-frumpy-to-fitness-model-how-jennie-lost-70-pounds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/03/21/from-frumpy-to-fitness-model-how-jennie-lost-70-pounds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/03/21/from-frumpy-to-fitness-model-how-jennie-lost-70-pounds/#commentsFiled under: ,

Jennie Before

Name: Jennie Marie Delfs

Age: 20

Height: 5'8"

Before Weight: 190

How I Gained It: I had always been raised in a home where family gatherings were closely associated with good food -- and lots of it. As a result, almost everyone in my family and extended family is overweight, except for my parents. Nonetheless, I still picked up horrible eating habits at a very young age, and carried those into young adulthood. I didn't put any thought into how much I was eating or how bad the food was for me.

I've always been quite physically active. I've played sports my whole life, and I played varsity volleyball since freshman year of high school. Still, it wasn't enough to balance out my bad eating.

I'm also a victim of emotional eating. I would often use food to cope when I was stressed out. The same happened when I was bored, lonely or sad -- I would eat things that were bad for my body, and I would constantly feel miserable about how fat I was. But I didn't care about myself enough to have the self-control to turn it around earlier.

Breaking Point: Seeing a picture of myself on my senior trip after graduating from high school was a big wake-up call for me. I also starting thinking about marriage, and I was horrified at the thought of how I would look in my wedding photos.

As well, because of my weight, the things I loved to do were becoming more difficult, such as hiking, fishing and scuba diving. I realized that being overweight shouldn't stop me from living and I was sick of being unhealthy. It was May 25, 2008, when I decided that my life was going to change.

How I Lost It: In the summer of 2008 my fiance went to work in Alaska. My initial motivation

Jennie Now

was thinking about the look he would have on his face when we saw each other three months later. I worked really hard all summer to fit in regular workouts -- I divided my time between the elliptical trainer and lifting weights, which were crucial to my success.

As for my diet, I ate a high-protein, high-fiber, low-carbohydrate diet with no sugar and only moderate amounts of healthy fats. I also allowed myself one very small, portioned "junk food" cheat meal a week to boost my metabolism.

I lost weight amazingly quickly, and I continued to increase the intensity of my workouts. Eventually, I fell in love with exercise, the gym and the new fitness community I was a part of. In August 2010, I walked on the stage of a fitness competition as a 117-pound fitness model, and I won third place!

It was difficult, but the key is never giving up -- I kept exercising and made this change into a fun new lifestyle. It is so important to love what you do -- you don't have to join a gym to lose weight or to be in shape, just find an activity that you truly like doing.

After Weight: 120 pounds

Jennie has maintained her weight loss for two years.

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]]>cheat mealCheatMealelliptical trainerEllipticalTraineremotional eatingEmotionalEatingfishinghealthy fatsHealthyFatshikingmetabolismoverweightscuba divingScubaDivingsuccess-storiessugarweightsworkoutsMartha EdwardsMon, 21 Mar 2011 10:00:00 ESTSmall Changes and Blogging Helped Evelyn Lose 65 Poundshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2011/03/17/small-changes-and-blogging-helped-evelyn-lose-65-pounds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/03/17/small-changes-and-blogging-helped-evelyn-lose-65-pounds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/03/17/small-changes-and-blogging-helped-evelyn-lose-65-pounds/#commentsFiled under: ,

Evelyn Before

Each week, we introduce you to bloggers who share their weight-loss journeys and hefty doses of inspiration with their readers. This week's featured blogger is Evelyn from Sweet Charity.

Name: Evelyn Cook

Age: 29

Height: 5 feet, 5 inches

Start Weight: 200 pounds

Current and Goal Weight: 135 pounds

My Weight Loss Approach: I've always been overweight. I was a chubby baby and a chunky child and I just kept getting bigger as I grew older. I've always liked to eat. Food is delicious! Growing up, I knew that my portions sizes were bigger than everyone else's but it never bothered me enough to stop -- until college. I joined a sorority and was surrounded by pretty, skinny girls. They never said anything about my weight, but just being around them made me feel fat and unattractive. I knew I had to make a change if I was going to be happy.

After that, I started the gradual process of working out and eating better. I focused on making small changes -- I'd eat a little less than usual, add more vegetables to my meals, increase the intensity of my workouts. I also drank a lot of water.

Small changes don't lead to big results right away, so the key to my weight loss was staying consistent and committed to my goal. I've had a lot of setbacks and a lot of frustration, but ultimately I knew what I wanted and refused to give up until I got it. When I hit a plateau, I would learn more information and find a way to bust through it. Changing my routine was key as well. I've tried everything -- the gym, home workouts, running, kickboxing, CrossFit, dancing, weights, you name it.

It took me 11 years to reach my goal weight of 135 pounds, but I got there! And now I've started setting new goals. I'm focused on helping others as an online trainer.

Evelyn After

Why I wanted to blog about it: Aside from it being therapeutic to get my triumphs and frustrations out by writing them down, blogging is also a great way to keep a record of my efforts. Sometimes we remember things differently than they actually happened, so it's great to have something to reference. I also want to share my journey with others. I've tried so many weight loss gimmicks, I don't want people to make the same mistakes. I want them to be able to benefit from what I've learned. I want to let people know that they're not alone and they can do it, even when the going's tough.

The best part of blogging is: I love when I get responses from people who have learned something new or who are inspired and have more questions. I'm not a professional writer; I just write how I honestly feel and I love it when other can connect with that and take something away from it.

Best comment I've received: "Thank you so much, you inspire me!"

What's next for my blog: I have big plans for my blog! The format and platform I'm using will be changing and I plan to be posting much more diverse material and updating much more frequently. Not only will I post about my weight loss efforts, but I also want to include interviews with successful people, recipes, my opinions on different diets I've tried and reviews of all the different workouts I do. I want to offer as much helpful content as I can.

Evelyn's next goal is to help 1,000 people lose weight and get fit through her blog and website.

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]]>blogging-downCrossFitdancingdietsgymhome workoutskickboxingoverweightrecipesrunningsuccess-storiesweight lossweightsworking outMartha EdwardsThu, 17 Mar 2011 14:00:00 ESTMichelle Tackled Portion Control and Lost 100 Poundshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2011/03/14/michelle-tackled-portion-control-and-lost-100-punds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/03/14/michelle-tackled-portion-control-and-lost-100-punds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/03/14/michelle-tackled-portion-control-and-lost-100-punds/#commentsFiled under:

Michelle Before

Name: Michelle Mohr

Age: 26

Height: 5 feet, 4 inches

Before Weight: 210 pounds

How I Gained It: The short answer? Lack of activity and portion control. But it's not like it just "happened" in my case -- I had always been overweight. I was always the "fat girl" in school; people would always tell me I had a great personality or a pretty face. In other words? Fat!

Throughout my childhood and into my teenage years, the pounds just kept adding up. I was not the most active child, and although I did participate in extracurricular activities here and there, but certainly not enough to combat my eating habits.

The other issue was that I lacked portion control. I not only ate whenever I wanted, but whatever I wanted too, and in very large amounts. For example, an after school snack for me at age 10 was an entire box of Stovetop stuffing, or a whole box of Rice-a-Roni! Clearly a side made to serve a family of 4 was not intended to be eaten at one sitting by a kid. I had many other indulgences too -- I would eat multiple plates of spaghetti at family dinners, seconds of desserts, and heaping portions of chocolate candy until my stomach hurt. I was on the fast track to unhealthy.

Breaking Point:My breaking point came when I finally realized that I was sick of being invisible. Going out with groups of friends and being the only heavy person at the table, I literally felt as though no one even noticed that I was there. After all of the years as being the "fat friend" I ecided that I no longer wanted to be associated with that title. So I decided it was time to lose weight -- I didn't choose a particular number to aim for, but I intended to lose until I felt healthy and comfortable.

How I Lost It: The very first step I took in my journey towards weight loss was to tackle my eating habits -- I drastically changed not only what I ate, but my portion sizes as well. I began

Michelle Now

eating "clean," which to me meant cutting out almost all processed foods and condiments. I also limited my intake of breads and starches. Fast food was out of the question and I began cooking at home the majority of the time. I had to demonstrate incredible willpower to resist many of my favorite foods, but I knew it would all be worth it once I reached my goal, and trust me it was.

The second component to my weight loss was incorporating activity into my daily life. For me, this meant committing to go to the gym four days a week. It sounds like a lot, but I can attest to the addiction to exercise you get when you start feeling great and seeing results. I'm still working out on a consistent basis -- during each session, I clock at least 30 minutes of cardio, and I like to switch it up between cardio machines so that it never feels monotonous. I also weight train three days a week, whether on machines or with free weights. Some people hire trainers to tell them what to do, but I created my own exercise and nutrition plan just through researching ... no personal trainer needed! This new chapter in my life has sparked an interest in nutrition and fitness that I never knew existed; I read articles on food and exercise every chance I get.

I could not be happier about the place I am in my life. The dedication and sacrifice is tough, but it's well worth it. The best part is the sense of pride I receive from being an inspiration to people around me. A co-worker of mine was so impressed by my transformation that it has inspired her to lose 40 pounds herself.

After Weight: 110 pounds

Michelle has maintained her weight loss for three years now.

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]]>exerciseFast foodFastFoodgymportion controlPortionControlprocessed foodsProcessedFoodssuccess-storiesMartha EdwardsMon, 14 Mar 2011 10:00:00 ESTFinding Self-Confidence Helped Therese Lose 85 Poundshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2011/03/07/finding-self-confidence-helped-therese-lose-85-pounds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/03/07/finding-self-confidence-helped-therese-lose-85-pounds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/03/07/finding-self-confidence-helped-therese-lose-85-pounds/#commentsFiled under: ,

Therese Before

Name: Therese Lean

Age: 31

Height: 5 feet, 2 inches

Before Weight: 250 pounds

How I Gained It: Many of my family members are overweight, so gaining it was a combination of learned habits and emotional eating. I never learned what proper portions were, and I never learned when to stop eating.

The biggest contributor to my weight gain was not learning to deal with my emotions properly. I was teased in third grade for being a bit overweight, and it was then that I had a choice to make: I could either tell someone about it to help me deal with how upset it made me, or I could choose to not say anything. I chose the latter; I was too embarrassed to tell someone, and so I dealt with it by eating. This started a 20-year long abusive relationship with food. By the time I was 13 years old, I weighed 180 pounds, and by the time I was 26, I topped the scale at 250 pounds. I ate for every reason under the sun, whether I was hungry, bored, upset, happy or eating without even realizing it. Eating became a habit, much like smoking cigarettes. The problem was that I had no idea that this weight gain was of my own making -- I blamed everyone and everything else.

Breaking Point: When I was 26 years old, I moved into my own apartment and for the first time, I was on my own. I had never lived on my own before, and I was freshly out of a relationship. During this downtime, I inevitably ended up thinking about myself and my future -- that's when I noticed the physical ailments, loneliness and overall lack of a zest for life. My weight had become such a defining characteristic for me that I never thought I could amount to anything.

I was determined to find a solution, so I started listening to self-help podcasts and reading books. That's when I learned what self-responsibility truly was, and when I realized for the first time in my life that my weight was not due to someone or something else. I created my own situation, my low self-confidence, my weight and my own loneliness.

This realization absolutely devastated me, but out of the darkness came a light, and out of this sadness came the power to change my life. I finally understood that if I could create misery in myself, I could always create joy just as powerful. That was the day my entire life changed.

How I Lost It: For me, losing weight has been an extremely gradual change. At the beginning I didn't set out to lose weight -- I set out to become happier, but when I asked myself what made me sad, one of the main issues was my weight. This time, instead of being overwhelmed by the weight I had to lose, I was much more rational. I decided that I didn't want a miracle solution, I

Therese Now

just wanted to take control of my body, so I started small. I began by dealing with my emotional eating. I decided that every time I caught myself at the fridge, I would ask myself why I was there. If it was for any other reason than hunger, I would instead sit down and write in my journal. I also got rid of all the snacks in my house so I was forced to eat something healthier instead. These two changes helped me to lose 12 pounds in my first month.

I learned that it takes 28 days to learn a new habit, so I decided to work on one or two habits at a time. My first was making sure each meal contained a healthy proportion of vegetables, carbs and protein. Around the same time, I also started to walk more often. Not much to begin -- just 15 minutes or so a few days a week.

A friend of mine was a runner, and I was intrigued by the thought of running, even though I was the furthest thing from an athlete. I started to think, if she could do it, why couldn't I? About a year later I moved into a new city to try and had a fresh start at 50 pounds lighter, so I decided to register for a 5k race to give it a try. I started with a walk-to-run program, and on October 5, 2008, I ran my first 5k with my two best friends waiting for me at the finish line.

That's when my life really changed. I decided that if I could run 5k, perhaps I could run more. Since then, I've run four more 5ks, an 8k, two 10ks, a 15k and, finally this past September, my first half marathon. Running gave me a goal to shoot for, and it taught me to respect my body and feed it properly. It helped me to lose a further 40 pounds and increased my self-confidence and worth. I now seek out opportunities instead of hiding from my life. I am constantly expanding and seeing what I'm capable of.

I still have about 30 to 40 pounds to lose before I get to my goal weight, but for the first time, I am confident that I will get there. I have created joy in my life, regardless of how much I weigh. I have also created confidence, love, a zest for life and hope. My life is an open canvas, and I plan to paint it with very bright colors.

After Weight: 166 pounds

Therese's next challenge will be a 30k race in 2011.

More Success Stories
"The Biggest Loser" Resort Helped Dwayne Lose 60 Pounds
From Couch Potato to Fitness Guru: How Denise Lost 160 Pounds
A Gift From a Friend Helped Chris Lose 135 Pounds

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]]>5Kemotional eatinghalf marathonoverweightrunningsuccess-storieswalkweight lossMartha EdwardsMon, 07 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST"The Biggest Loser" Resort Helped Dwayne Lose 60 Poundshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2011/03/03/the-biggest-loser-resort-helped-dwayne-lose-60-pounds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/03/03/the-biggest-loser-resort-helped-dwayne-lose-60-pounds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/03/03/the-biggest-loser-resort-helped-dwayne-lose-60-pounds/#commentsFiled under: ,

Dwayne Before

Every week, we introduce you to bloggers who share their weight loss journeys and hefty doses of inspiration with their readers. This week's featured blogger is Dwayne from Screaming Belt Loop.

Name: Dwayne Phillips

Age: 34 years old

Height: 5 feet, 11 inches

Start Weight: 365 pounds

Current Weight: 304 pounds

Goal Weight: 220 pounds

My Weight Loss Approach: I was 200 pounds going into college, and by the end of it, I was 380 pounds. I gained weight for various reasons: stress, relationships, too much freedom to eat anything I wanted. I've been working on undoing it ever since. I managed to successfully lose weight a couple of times previously, but once again a major life change happened and it brought out my serious binge eating. Binge eating has always been my biggest problem, and until recently, it was something something I worked hard to hide from myself and my family. I came clean to my wife about it. She was very supportive and understanding. I encourage everyone to try to find a place you can open up about the issue, whether it is family or a counselor.

My breaking point happened in September 2010. I had failed another diet attempt, and though I said I would never consider it, I decided I wanted to consider gastric Lap-Band surgery, so I started trying to qualify for the surgery. During that time, however, I found out about "The Biggest Loser" Resort at Fitness Ridge and decided that was my "last" option before surgery. It was tough being away from my family, but it has proven to be one of my best decisions ever.

I started using the slow carbohydrate approach from the book "The Four Hour Body," by Timothy Ferris. I also started a kettlebell workout and began doing basic cardio workouts on the treadmill. I had lost around 15 pounds before I got to the resort, but once I was there, everything changed. The resort advocates whole-grain foods that fill you up and minimize calories, and the basic meals there add up to 1,200 calories a day. I went on a two-hour hike in the mornings, did a stretch or water class after that, then did three 45-minute cardio/toning classes after lunch. I also did personal training sessions during my spare time. The trainers were amazing, and I was lucky enough to have personal training sessions with Michael Castrogiovanni (the kettlebell king), Sam Poueu ("The Biggest Loser" season nine) and Megan Roberts (amazing core routines). The camp had classes on nutrition and taught me how to eat at home and what to shop/look for.

The resort gave me a holistic approach that I needed to start applying to my life. I have continued to eat and blog the way they taught me at the resort, and now instead of fast food, my diet consists of whole grains, lean meats, soy products and water with very little caffeine.

Dwayne Now

Why I wanted to blog about it: Initially I started blogging because I wanted to let my friends and family see what I was going through at "The Biggest Loser" Resort. Plus, I found very few blogs for the Malibu location and thought it would help people deciding to go there versus the Utah facility. Blogging has given me a way to share my experiences as well as help motivate people. One huge reason I've continued to do it is that the more people read it, the more accountable I am. Knowing that I am being watched motivates me.

The best part of blogging is: Interacting with people and knowing that I can support people losing weight as well as being supported by them is the best part of my blog. It's such a great feeling.

Best comment I've received: Some of my best blog comments have come from a personal trainer I had at the resort named Megan. She was very motivational there and keeps me going on my blog now even though I'm thousands of miles away. I've also been told I am "inspirational" by guests who saw me work hard and pushed themselves more because of it. At home, people are often telling me that I look much different, which I love hearing. I know I have further to go, but I've changed and am proud of it as I continue to move forward.

What's next for my blog: I plan to continue blogging my daily experiences. I want to start writing my own recipes, adding in links to useful resources, reviewing books, reviewing weight loss apps and reviewing other websites. I'll also keep updating my goals on the blog. Hopefully within a year I will be at my goal weight and training others and using my blog to help with that.

Cheer Dwayne on as he inches to his goal weight by visiting The Screaming Belt Loop.

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]]>Biggest Loser Resortbinge eatingblogging-downDwayne Phillipsfast foodgastric lap band surgerynutritionSam Poueuweight lossMartha EdwardsThu, 03 Mar 2011 14:00:00 ESTFrom Couch Potato to Fitness Guru: How Denise Lost 160 Poundshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2011/02/28/from-couch-potato-to-fitness-guru-how-denise-lost-160-pounds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/02/28/from-couch-potato-to-fitness-guru-how-denise-lost-160-pounds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/02/28/from-couch-potato-to-fitness-guru-how-denise-lost-160-pounds/#commentsFiled under:

Denise Before

Name: Denise Fontana

Age: 48

Height: 5 feet, 4 inches

Before Weight: 309 pounds

How I Gained It: I have struggled with my weight for almost my whole life. It's only now that I realize it will be a lifetime journey. Unfortunately, I realized this the hard way.

Although I've always been overweight, when I was in my 20s, I got into fitness and lost an amazing 65 pounds. I began taking exercise classes at a women's studio and found out that it's true what they say -- exercise is addictive. I even got certified to teach fitness! I loved teaching and eventually became a partner in the studio.

I managed to maintain my weight loss for a few years, but then I got married and started having children. I managed my weight fairly well with my first child, but I gained 65 pounds with my second pregnancy. By the time I had my third, I had ballooned to 309 pounds. I never went back to exercise, and that was a huge, horrible mistake.

Breaking Point: Although I was only in my 30s, at more than 300 pounds, my doctor had put me on blood pressure medication. One day, I noticed a numbness in the side of my head and went to my doctor -- he diagnosed me with diabetes. That was it. I realized I had to take control of my health.

How I Lost It: Exercise helped with my weight loss before, so once again I turned to it to help me get healthy. I was pretty out of shape at that point, so I started slowly with a 30-minute circuit workout. I worked really hard during the cardio portion of my workout, making myself sweat and pushing through the pain. It paid off -- I started seeing results after just a few

Denise Now

weeks. Through it all, I began to remember how much I loved fitness, so I also began teaching exercise classes again. Some of the women in my class had just as much weight to lose as me, and many of them are still working out with me today!

The next step was looking at my eating habits, especially portion control. I was simply eating too much food, so I began watching my portions with help from Weight Watchers. The weight started coming off slowly but surely.

Related Stories

All in all, it took me three years to lose 162 pounds, and I've been maintaining it ever since, going on eight years now. It will take me my whole life to maintain my weight loss, but I am determined to do it. I never, ever want to go back to the depressed, reclusive and uncomfortable person I was before. The old me couldn't have fathomed fitting into size-4 clothes again, but I've done it and it feels amazing.

Three years ago I opened my own women's fitness studio called The Fit Zone to help other women do the same and take back their lives. I teach about 15 classes a week, and I love going to work every single day. I know firsthand that success stories like this are happening all the time.

After Weight: 148 pounds

This past weekend, Denise led a fitness class marathon at her studio with all the proceeds going to the American Heart Association.

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]]>cardiodiabetesexerciseexercise classesfitness studioportion controlpregnancysuccess-storiesweight lossWeight WatchersworkoutMartha EdwardsMon, 28 Feb 2011 10:00:00 ESTMy Relationship With the Scalehttp://www.thatsfit.com/2011/02/23/my-relationship-with-the-scale/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/02/23/my-relationship-with-the-scale/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/02/23/my-relationship-with-the-scale/#commentsFiled under:

ScaleCorbis

I have a love-hate relationship with my scale. I strongly dislike when it shows numbers that are higher than what I was expecting; however, I have learned to measure my progress in other ways than to rely on the scale's reading. When I first started writing this blog, I was constantly using the scale as a measure of success. In fact, I remember an instance about two years ago when my husband came home from work and was confused -- he couldn't find the scale in the bathroom.

He asked me what happened to the scale, and I told him that it had been naughty so it had to go in the closet. It was humorous, and we still laugh about it. But it is also an indicator of how much control the scale had over my thought process. Now I also use how far or long I can run, how much energy I have, body measurements and how my clothing fits to monitor my weight loss and fitness progress.

Still, there are some days when I really, really love the scale. This week produced one of those days. My weigh-in for the week was 208.8! I've lost almost another pound, but the reason it was such an exciting weigh-in is that I have now lost a total of 50 pounds! Fifty pounds gone in just more than a year!

I was worried after my weekend with friends that I would gain weight, but the weekend was a success. I stayed away from fried chips, picked healthy foods and did plenty of walking. Also, I've been keeping track of what exactly I eat, and I've been pairing foods together to make better snack choices. My new favorite snack is combining almonds with grapes. It is a sweet, satisfying snack that also provides me with plenty of protein.

More Tipping the Scales

I am absolutely ecstatic, but it is also a little bittersweet. It is sweet because 50 pounds is an amazing accomplishment. I've literally worked my butt off to get to this point. I've learned how to better manage my cravings, the importance of consistent exercise and how to look for nutrient-dense foods. I have learned to limit my indulgences, and I actually enjoy my healthy food choices. I am learning what works best for me.

The bitter portion comes from thinking that these 50 pounds have been a lot of hard work and I still have such a long way to go on my journey. I am a little worried that I will run out of motivation along the way and become complacent. There are some days where I feel like I could keep going, and there are other days when I'd rather do anything besides eat healthy or exercise. Thankfully, I'm an optimistic person, and I refuse to dwell on the work that is still left to accomplish and would rather focus on how far I've come since making the decision to make lifestyle changes.

My ultimate goal is to lose another 50 pounds and be able to proudly say that I have lost and maintained 100 pounds. With the knowledge and habits I've gained, I know I will reach my health, weight and fitness goals. Even if it takes another year, I can't wait to write my success story!


After decades of dieting only to gain it back, two That's Fit readers have decided to finally rethink their relationship with food and exercise over the next year to move toward a lifetime of fulfilling, healthy living. Come by every week as Ashley and Lee share their successes and challenges as they tip the scale.

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]]>dietmotivationnutritionscaletipping-the-scalesAshley WisniewskiWed, 23 Feb 2011 11:00:00 ESTBlogging Helped Sobora Ditch the Freshman 65http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/02/17/blogging-helped-sobora-ditch-the-freshman-65/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/02/17/blogging-helped-sobora-ditch-the-freshman-65/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/02/17/blogging-helped-sobora-ditch-the-freshman-65/#commentsFiled under: ,

blogging and facebook helped sobora lose weightSobora Before

Every week, we introduce you to bloggers who share their weight loss journeys and hefty doses of inspiration with their readers. This week's featured blogger is Sobora from Operation GQ.

Name: Sobora Duy -- most people know me as DJ Thailo

Age: 30

Height: 5 feet, 7 inches

Start Weight: 205 pounds

Current Weight: 160 pounds at 11 percent body fat

Goal Weight: 155 pounds at 8 percent body fat.

My Weight Loss Approach: I played soccer in high school so I had always been in good shape, until I went off to start the party life by becoming a DJ and attending college. The nightlife is fun, but all of the late-night eating started to catch up to me. Most clubs close at 3 a.m., and at that time of the night, fast food is usually the only option, and eating it became an addiction. Over time, I ended up gaining 65 pounds.

In November 2008, my eight-year relationship came to an end. It was quite hard to accept and took me almost a year to get over it. My self esteem was at an all-time low, I was tired of being alone, and to top it off, I was nearing 30 and quite overweight. I was fed up with always being referred to as fat and ugly. I wanted to be sexy, but most of all, I wanted to be healthy! Plus, my father died of stomach cancer at the age of 56 after lack of exercise and proper diet caught up to him. He did not want the same to happen to me, and neither did I. At the pace I was going with my health, it would have been a matter of time.

More Success Stories

I joined LA Fitness in 2009. I knew it was going to be a long-term mental and physical battle in order for me to get in a great shape again. If it took me 11 years to gain 65 pounds, I knew it would take quite some time to get rid of it as well. I had a zero-tolerance approach, and I knew I had to stop making excuses for myself. I told myself: "If my mother was diagnosed with cancer, will I make excuses to not show up for her day in day out, week in week out and month in month out?" Absolutely not! Then I came up the idea of using Facebook and blogging daily to keep myself motivated. I started on day one by writing: "Operation GQ day 1: _______." I also took a shirtless photo of myself on Facebook. Many people laughed and mocked me, but some truly encouraged me.

Diet played a major part in my weight loss -- without it, you won't see results. But it's very hard to go from fast food to healthy food overnight. I took this process very slowly. I started to eat six to eight small meals a day, and I would never eat until I was stuffed. I also served my food in smaller plates, and I drink 1.5 gallons of water a day.

Sobora Now

Why I wanted to blog about it: There are so many benefits to blogging on a daily basis -- it makes it easier to track your progress, and it helps you stay focused on your goals. In the beginning, many thought it was a joke, but you have to pay your dues for people to take you seriously. Once I felt people believed in me, I started posting nutrition and fitness advice, as well as YouTube videos of my workouts. I also felt that by blogging about it on a daily basis, people could relate to it and possibly get motivated to pursue a healthy lifestyle. I didn't want to disappear off society and show up one year later with a new look -- I wanted to share my daily thoughts with everyone. I wanted to prove that if you put your mind and heart into losing weight and believe in yourself, anything is possible.

The best part of blogging is: I feel like I host an online show now. I prepare myself ahead on what I will post, what type of workouts I will record for my YouTube Channel and what tips I will give. I post a shirtless picture of myself every 100 days to keep track of my progress. I feel that by having a set deadline, I must maintain my diet well and exercise in order to see improvement every 100 days. It also gives my readers a more realistic approach to weight loss.

Best comment I've received: I hear: "You look good now!" frequently. I always tell them: "What do you mean by now?"

What's next for my blog: I am looking to expand and promote my blog to the widest audience possible. More videos, more recipes, more workout clothes and hopefully more inspiration to purse a healthy lifestyle! I am a changed man today. I have never felt this great mentally and physically. I now have a wonderful girlfriend who also has her own weight loss story. She went from 145 pounds to 115 pounds in six months! You can't change your date of birth, but you can change the image in the mirror.

Check out Operation GQ for tips and tricks on losing weight, plus stay tuned for more shirtless photos as Sobora continues to slim down.

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]]>bloggingblogging-downdietexercisefacebookfast foodloveoperation gqweight lossMartha EdwardsThu, 17 Feb 2011 14:00:00 ESTKaren Rediscovered Her Passion and Lost 50 Poundshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2011/02/07/karen-rediscovered-her-passion-and-lost-50-pounds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/02/07/karen-rediscovered-her-passion-and-lost-50-pounds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/02/07/karen-rediscovered-her-passion-and-lost-50-pounds/#commentsFiled under: ,

Karen Before

Name: Karen Griffard Putz

Age: 45

Height: 5 feet, 4 inches

Before Weight: I'd guess 220 pounds at my heaviest

How I Gained It: After my third child was born 13 years ago, the weight crept up so slowly that I hardly noticed it. I was drinking two sodas per day and getting very little exercise. I took a job with a writing company, so I sat all day and wrote -- and ate! I played volleyball once a week, but I often found myself winded after each game. And the team would frequently head to the local bar post-game and fill up on appetizers and drinks, so I wasn't doing myself much good.

I'm definitely an emotional eater -- food is my comfort. I love to eat while reading, and I love to read -- so you can see how the two can add up!

Breaking Point: My breaking point was on my 44th birthday. I was sitting on a pontoon boat at Christie Lake in Michigan, watching some water-skiers go by and feeling pretty down. Some of my happiest times have been on the lake -- I've been water-skiing since I was 11 and fell in love with barefoot water-skiing when I was 16.

As I got older, life became busy. I got married and had three kids two years apart. The last time that I barefooted was in my 20s, and by the time my 44th birthday rolled around in August, I figured I would never touch the water again on my bare feet.

But in 2009, my husband sent me a link to the "Today" show, which featured Judy Myers, a 66-year-old woman who took up barefoot water-skiing at the age of 53. In the video, Judy was heavyset, but there she was, skimming across the water on her feet.

If a 66-year-old woman could barefoot, then what was holding me back from getting on the water again? I connected with Judy via Facebook and she invited me down to the World Barefoot Center in Florida to learn how to barefoot again. This invitation was the catalyst that started me on my path to a healthier lifestyle.

How I Lost It: In December 2009, I joined LifeTime Fitness. At first, it wasn't any fun at all. Walking on the treadmill left me short of breath after only 10 minutes. I love to swim, but
I hated getting into a swimsuit for fear that I might run into a neighbor.

On January 12, 2010, I joined a group of bloggers in a "Loser Mom" weight loss challenge. I knew that if I wanted to water-ski again, I needed a team around me to help me do it. It took every ounce of courage to find a "before" picture and post it on my blog, A Deaf Mom Shares Her World.

On March 28, 2010, I met Judy Myers and world barefoot champion Keith St. Onge for the first time. St. Onge walked me through some practice steps on dry land and then we headed out on the

Karen Now

water. On my very first try, I placed my feet on the water, and instantly, I felt like a teen again. I was out of breath after the first couple of runs, but I was hooked.

St. Onge sent me a list of foods to eat and foods to avoid, and I began making some changes in the way I ate. The biggest change for me was to cut out pop -- it was one of the hardest things for me to do! Both St. Onge and Myers provided encouragement to keep going.

I can't emphasize this enough: Surround yourself with a supportive team to get where you want to go. I have a workout buddy that I meet with once a week, and my oldest son occasionally works out with me, too. I've also joined a weight loss group on Facebook that keeps me motivated.

I recently spent a week in Florida barefoot water-skiing with 14 other ladies. We skied four times a day. Thanks to the lifestyle change and the regular workouts at the gym, I was filled with a lot of energy and was able to truly enjoy my time on the water each day. In three short days, I learned to barefoot backwards. What a ride!

After Weight: 168 pounds and counting!

Karen has been losing weight for a year and was recently able to buy first size-6 pair of jeans in more than a decade.

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]]>barefoot waterskiingdeaffacebookfitnessgymsuccess-storiessupport groupswater sportsweight lossMartha EdwardsMon, 07 Feb 2011 10:00:00 ESTMartial Arts Helped Krysta Ditch 75 Poundshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2011/02/03/martial-arts-helped-krysta-ditch-75-pounds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/02/03/martial-arts-helped-krysta-ditch-75-pounds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/02/03/martial-arts-helped-krysta-ditch-75-pounds/#commentsFiled under: ,

Krysta Before (on the right)

Every week, we introduce you to bloggers who share their weight loss journeys and hefty doses of inspiration with their readers. This week's featured blogger is Krysta from Not Another Fad Diet.

Name: Krysta Scharlach

Age: 33

Height: 5 feet, 5 inches

Start Weight: 220 pounds

Current Weight: 145 pounds

Goal Weight: It was 150 pounds -- now it's 135 pounds

My Weight Loss Approach: I've always been a chubby kid, but it got really bad once my husband and I moved out to Virginia. I spent a great deal of time locked in my house watching television and not doing a whole lot of anything. I rarely exercised, plus I ate whatever appealed to me and a lot of it -- and I smoked.

My first breaking point came when my brother was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. I changed the way I ate and lost some weight but put it back on eventually because I stopped exercising. I went from 220 pounds down to 160 and then back up to 200. When the scale got near 200 again, I decided it was enough. I started training and working hard at the gym, running or working out on the elliptical. I started lifting a lot of weight and focusing on my food intake, both in terms of portion and nutrition.

My weight loss approach can be summed up as hard work and good nutrition. There are no shortcuts to weight loss, no matter what the multimillion dollar fad diet industry would have you believe. I eat lean meats and veggies. I work out almost every day. I change things up so that I don't get bored. And every once in a while, I give myself a cheat day so that I don't feel deprived.

Martial arts is definitely the secret to my success. Mixed martial arts training is fun, functional

Krysta Now

and never boring. I always have motivation to keep going, because I'm always learning something new and awesome and it rarely ever feels like "exercise," so to speak. It's never a chore, and you're always moving upwards.

Why I wanted to blog about it: So many people noticed my weight loss and asked for help and tips and advice that I thought would be helpful to publish my thoughts, stories, recipes and triumphs as well as my struggles, so I decided to start a blog.

The best part of blogging is: When someone thanks me for having the courage to write something they were thinking but wouldn't admit.

Best comment I've received: I wrote a blog giving people advice about being new in the gym just after the new year, and someone wrote me privately to thank me for my advice and tell me how much it helped them! I love that!

What's next for my blog: Just continuing to chronicle my journey. It's far from over!

It took Krysta a year to get to her current weight, and she's maintained it for the same amount of time. Help cheer her on as she works towards losing those last 10 pounds.

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]]>bloggingblogging-downellipticalelliptical trainerexercisefad dietsgymmartial artsnutritionrunningweight lossMartha EdwardsThu, 03 Feb 2011 15:00:00 ESTA New Start Helped Tammy Lose 140 Poundshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2011/01/31/a-new-start-helped-tammy-lose-140-pounds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/01/31/a-new-start-helped-tammy-lose-140-pounds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/01/31/a-new-start-helped-tammy-lose-140-pounds/#commentsFiled under: ,

Tammy Before

Name: Tammy L. Lopez

Age: 43

Height: 5 feet, 5 inches

Before Weight: 285.5 pounds

How I Gained It: I've struggled with my weight all my life. School was torture, to put it lightly. I would go on crash diets and lose lots of weight, only to gain it back in a few months. Then I married at the age of 24 and had a baby shortly thereafter. I was 165 pounds before my pregnancy, and I gained 85 pounds with my son. I suffered from postpartum depression after the birth -- I would sit in the rocking chair crying for hours. Combined with the stress of work and a new baby, it was a recipe for weight gain.

When my son was 4 years old, I brought my weight back to 165 pounds. Unfortunately, shortly thereafter, my marriage started falling apart, which left me in a depressed state and feeling like I had nothing to live for. Facing life as a single mother with a young son, working full-time and feeling trapped inside my own body, I was literally crying out for help.

I love to read so I threw myself into my books and decided that this is the way that my life was supposed to turn out. But when my son was going into seventh grade, I got a job near my hometown of Coxsackie, N.Y., and my son and I moved back to my parents' house to start over.

Breaking Point: In 2006, I was turning 40, I was headed for a big job promotion, I had found a nice house near my parents, and my son and I were headed to Florida for our first real vacation. At that point I was 235 pounds, but I was feeling good about my life.

It didn't last -- six weeks later, tragedy hit our family. My father died of a massive heart attack at the age of 57. He was and still is my best friend. Deep depression returned with a vengeance, but I somehow picked myself up and kept going. It was during this time that I ballooned by 50 pounds, reaching my highest weight of 285 pounds. Later that year, I became very ill and was bedridden for 10 days with nothing but my thoughts and my mom, who was also struggling with the loss of her husband as well as helping me take care of my son.

How I Lost It: After I recovered from my illness, I woke up and said to myself, "I need to be here to take care of my son." We have a family history of heart ailments and with the sudden loss of my dad, I knew had to make a change. It was time.

Tammy Now

My entire office decided to go on Weight Watchers. We would weigh in at the office every Friday morning, and we had contests to see who lost the most weight. I never went to a meeting, but my co-workers helped keep me on track. I ended up winning the contest at work, which netted me gift cards to purchase new clothes. I went from a size 24W to a size 8.

At the same time, I started working out at home for three months, then joined a gym. I have been hooked every since. In May 2008, on the first anniversary of my father's passing, I ran my first 5K. I came in 1,800 of 3,600 women. I cannot explain the feeling I had when I was crossing that finish line. I knew that my dad would help me finish, but I did not think I would enjoy it so much.

I am very disciplined with my eating. I follow a low-carb, high-protein diet. When I started at the gym, I worked out seven days a week for an hour and a half a day. I started by walking on the treadmill and then graduated to running, and on alternate days I would do strength training. I find that a good pair of sneakers and proper breathing techniques are key to a great run. I have also recently taken up spinning classes -- it really helps kick up my weight loss. Don't get me wrong -- I do go out and enjoy myself sometimes, I just know that it's back to the workout the next day. I find that if I am physically fit, I am mentally fit, too.

If there's one person I have to thank, it's my dad -- he helped me see the light and begin living my life. Live your life to the fullest -- it's the only one you have.

After Weight: 145.5 pounds

As of this January, Tammy has kept the weight off for four incredible years.

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]]>5kcrash dietsdepressiondietgymhigh proteinlow carbprganacyrunningsuccess-storiesweight lossweight watchersMartha EdwardsMon, 31 Jan 2011 10:00:00 ESTWorking Out With Friends Helped Kym Drop 65 Poundshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2011/01/24/working-out-with-friends-helped-kym-drop-65-pounds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/01/24/working-out-with-friends-helped-kym-drop-65-pounds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/01/24/working-out-with-friends-helped-kym-drop-65-pounds/#commentsFiled under: ,

Kym Before

Name: Kymberley Shwaluke

Age: 34

Height: 5 feet, 9 inches

Before Weight: 219 pounds

How I Gained It: Up until the age of 18, I weighed 125 pounds. At 19, I found out I was pregnant, and for a "starving-yourself-thin" teen, this was my ticket to eat! I gained 48 pounds during my pregnancy. I took about 20 of that off, but I was still carrying around 30 pounds of extra weight. I was in college at the time -- studying, raising my daughter, and taking care of a husband and a home. I am pretty sure the freshman 15 was more like the freshman 25!

I started my second pregnancy at the same weight that I ended the first one. My goal during my second pregnancy was to watch my weight. I ended up with extreme morning sickness and gained only 19 pounds with my second daughter, Kailey. The good thing was I lost the 19 pounds pretty much right away -- the bad news is it found me again.

I was working full-time as an accountant, plus overtime, and raising my family. The combination of too much work and too little time led to very poor eating habits. I started hitting the drive-thru on the way to work almost every day, and lunch-hour meetings almost always meant eating out again. Over the next five years, my weight ballooned from 180 pounds to 219 pounds.

Breaking Point: Last January I read about the dangers of belly fat and the health issues it could cause -- and I was scared! As a mom, I definitely want to live a long life to watch my girls grow up. At 219 pounds I wasn't enjoying life; I was hiding at home. I never wanted to go out.

That moment made me rethink what I was doing to my health and prompted me to make
changes. I started walking at lunch with a friend. The first week was hard; I could barely keep
up with her and was completely out of breath. I made a plan that for three weeks, I
would walk at lunch and pack my lunch -- no fast food. I had read somewhere that new
habits take 21 days to form. I'm not sure if this true, but it worked for me. After the 21 days, I kept going and started allowing myself a cheat day once a week.

How I Lost It: I started my journey in January 2010 at 219 pounds, which at my height had me in the obese category of the BMI scale. I entered an online contest with a local radio station for a month of boot camp and a month of Bikram hot yoga. The challenging part was that you had to do it every day for 30 days! It really helped kicked off my journey. I recruited three friends to do it with me; we even started a blog about it! It was tough balancing family, work, and seven days of boot camp and yoga, but we did it. We laughed (a lot), cried (some) and offered motivation constantly.

After the challenge in February, I decided that I needed to push myself in order to keep going. I
signed up with three co-workers for a 40-kilometer eco challenge that involved paddling, running and cycling in April. To help prepare, I hired a personal trainer using the money I used to spend eating out. I spent months training, and the event was really tough -- the good part was it was a team event. We finished in just more than three hours, and I felt a huge sense of accomplishment.

Kym now

After the 40k challenge was over, without a big event to motivate me, I met with my trainer again to discuss my goals. I knew I still had a lot of weight to lose, and I needed a plan to get there. My plan was to be in a bikini for February 2011 for my 15th anniversary. We developed a workout plan that includes a combination of cardio and strength workout days -- both free weights and TRX. In the beginning, I hated the gym, but boot camp helped ease me into it. As I became fit, I could challenge and push myself more so going to the gym was easier. My trainer also helped me get my eating habits under control. As I began to slim down, I altered my eating to better nourish my body and keep losing fat.

What has made me successful? Three things: Determination, support from my personal trainer and accepting that this is not a diet -- it's a lifestyle change that will last forever.

For people who want to lose weight, I recommend three crucial steps: First, make a plan. The better you plan for success, the more likely you are to succeed. Secondly, keep track of what you eat in a journal. I have an Excel spreadsheet. It keeps you accountable. And finally, learn to forgive yourself. If you mess up one day, just move and get back on track right away. Don't put it off!

After Weight: 155 pounds

It took Kym a year to lose the weight, and she's looking forward to wearing a bikini next month for her anniversary.

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]]>boot campchallengecontestdietexercisefood journalfriendshot yogapersonal trainerpregnancysuccess-storiesweight lossMartha EdwardsMon, 24 Jan 2011 10:00:00 ESTLiz Finally Believes in Herself After Losing 100 Poundshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2011/01/20/liz-finally-believes-in-herself-after-losing-100-pounds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/01/20/liz-finally-believes-in-herself-after-losing-100-pounds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/01/20/liz-finally-believes-in-herself-after-losing-100-pounds/#commentsFiled under: ,

Liz Before

Every week, we introduce you to bloggers who share their weight-loss journeys and hefty doses of inspiration with their readers. This week's featured blogger is Liz of Liz Taylor's Life.

Name: Liz Taylor

Age: 21

Height: 5 feet, 4 inches

Start Weight: 270 pounds

Current Weight: 170 pounds

Goal Weight: 135 pounds

My Weight Loss Approach: I was a very heavy child growing up. My parents never really restricted what I could eat nor did they restrict my portions. I gained most of my weight in 2007 because I had just graduated high school and was working and going to school. I often ate fast food in huge portions, and I never exercised.

I used to take showers with the light off just so I would not have to see my reflection in the bathroom mirror. I was made fun of so much in high school that I was walked to my classes by the student resource officer. I grew to loathe myself. I would look at pictures of myself and think I looked disgusting. I went to my primary care doctor in 2008 because of depression due to my weight and looks. When he weighed me he was astonished at the weight I had gained since my visit just one year earlier. I was nearly 270 pounds at 19 years old.

It was in that office in the middle of the afternoon that I made a decision: I could not live my life like that anymore. I decided to lose the weight and dedicate myself to improving myself and my self-image and helping others.


Liz Now

I now look at exercising and healthy eating as a lifestyle, not just something I need to do for a little while. I have found ways to love exercise, which has truly helped me stay on the path of being healthy. The joy I have found from dedicating myself to health and fitness goes much deeper than losing weight. For the first time in my life, I truly believe in myself.

Why I wanted to blog about it: I know there are so many more people out there who are going through the same thing. I didn't want anyone else to have to go through the misery I felt because of my weight. I knew if I wrote about my struggle and what I do to lose weight and get healthy, other people would relate, and maybe they would be able to lose weight, too.

The best part of blogging is: The best part of blogging is when I touch other people's lives. My weight has been such a hard struggle since I was a young child, and I know there are so many other people out there with this same issue. In helping other people, I am constantly helping and bettering myself.

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Best comment I've received: A woman who works out in the gym I go to told me that she is 18 years old and feels and hates the way she looks. She says she always sees me in the gym working out and that since I have joined, she has noticed my weight drop significantly. She told me that she watches what I do for my routines and tries to do the same, and she's lost 15 pounds since Halloween as a result. She cried and told me that it was the best feeling of her life.

What's next for my blog: I'm working on turning my blog into a full website to help men and women achieve a healthy lifestyle for life. Not only do I want to blog about my exercise and nutrition tips, stories and experiences, but I also want to interview different doctors and fitness professionals on their tips and secrets. I'd like to conduct research in the health and fitness field to find new ideas and also offer lifestyle tips for finances, fashion and relationships. My vision is a full-on healthy lifestyle website.

Keep up with Liz on her blog as she continues to work toward her goals.

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]]>blogging-downdepressiondietexerciseweight lossMartha EdwardsThu, 20 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST