Leslie's Weight Loss Journey

Denni asked me to write something about my recent weight loss, why and how I did it. So here it is:

Just over three years ago, I went to the doctor when I was ill, and she did some blood tests. I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and pre-diabetes. She said I needed to lose a lot of weight. I was in danger of a stroke or heart attack if I didn't lose weight and eat in a more healthy way. We decided what a healthy weight range would be for me, and the amount I needed to lose. It was: 100 pounds!

It took me three years, but last August, I reached my goal weight. I also reduced my high blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. People ask me all the time what my secret was. It's simple really. I ate less, and I exercised more. Yes, that's really what I did.

In addition to cutting calories, because of my test results, I also had to reduce my salt intake, and the amount of sugar and unhealthy fat I was eating.

I downloaded an app to my phone called My Fitness Pal, and began to log my meals every day.  When you set up the app, you input your age, and your current weight and height. Then you put in your goal weight, and how fast you want to lose it. I chose a slow plan, to make it easier to stick to and maintain. The app calculates how many calories you can consume per day. The app keeps track not only of how many calories you eat, but how much sodium, fat, carbs and sugar you are consuming. It alerts you when you are getting close to your limits. You can input your exercises, and can earn calories by exercising more.

Due to back and knee problems, I couldn't do vigorous exercising. So I began to walk. My daughter gave me a pedometer and challenged me to walk 5,000 steps a day.  I didn't start out with that. I had to work up to it. I set a daily goal, and as soon as that was doable, I set it 500 steps higher. I eventually surpassed the 5,000 step challenge and worked up to 10,000 steps per day.The pedometer is a Fitbit. You can download an app for that, and it keeps track of your steps, calories eaten, and calories burned.

Sometimes when I tell people what I did, they say they could never do it. I never thought I could either. I was over weight for years, and had dieted, lost some weight, and then put the weight back on. But with the motivation of the doctor, and the promise by my daughter that she would accompany me to Alaska (a place I've dreamed of going for many years), when I lost the 100 pounds, I managed to do it. It wasn't easy, and it took me three years. If I was able to do it, anyone can. It's hard work, but it's sure worth it. I have more energy than I've had in years. I'm more mobile, I got to buy pretty new clothes, and I got to go on my dream trip!

Losing weight and keeping it off has to become a lifestyle. You'll have the best success if you begin eating sensibly and in a way that you can maintain long term. Special diets can make you lose weight fast, but it's hard to keep it off once you stop dieting. Simply eating less food and exercising more becomes a way of life, and something you can keep up in the long run. Once you lose the weight, you can become less strict, but you'll have to maintain a sensible eating and exercise plan to keep that weight off.

Now that I have lost the weight, I still need to tone up and strengthen my muscles.  Going to the Boot Camp at Wallace Training Systems is helping me achieve those goals.

In future posts, we will give some practical tips on healthy eating practice, eating out sensibly, exercising, and making healthy choices on a day to day basis.

BEFORE & AFTER