Success Story #27 MB

Name: M. Bitterman
Location: JFK Medical Center. Atlantis, FL
Improvement: 50 lbs Weight Loss
Time: 6 Months
Program: 2010 Total Transformation Challenge / Summer Challenge

What was your biggest challenge / obstacle (s)?
Not making ANY, what I would call "eating mistakes", such as a high carb, fat laden meal, especially at night. I actually made one such error and that caused me a 5 pound gain, and subsequent loss of previously earned points. So my main challenge was to Not "give back" points. 
 
What motivated you to stay on the course?
Overall health improvement, one that would hopefully help me overcome a family history of pre-mature death by the family males, all who passed on before age 60 from heart issues(usually in their 40's) When I say family history, I mean it, as I trace my family back to the 1400's. ( I am 56, and intend to do what is in my power to break the trend).

Did your diet change? If so, How? Please be detailed!
Everything basically about my diet changed. I had been skipping breakfast, having a skimpy lunch and then a huge dinner.  I changed this around 180 degrees, most importantly which helped me was following Rami's suggestion of "no carbs at night", choosing chicken breast, tuna, or salmon, consistently.
Drinking  5-8 glasses of water a day was very helpful as well. Additionally, for protein intake I went with both soy products, and non-fat dairy (.5 cup plain yogurt= 23 grams protein, for example).

What advice could you give to others that want the same results?
Advice I would give: Come up with a plan and stick to it, do Not worry about the other
competitors( as you can't control how many points they achieve) but keep trying to "compete against yourself" from week to week. Try all challenges, even ones that you think are too hard.  I was only able to do 6 or 7 push-ups on day 1 of the challenge, finishing up on the last day with 50 push-ups was personally very rewarding to me.
Also-do all the recommended miles, and then some.  I took a multi vitamin/mineral supplement everyday, but no type of fancy "miracle weight loss, majic fat burner, metabolism boosters as seen on late night TV.

I did add organic apple cider vinegar to my water (for blood improvement).  Also, I
took Rhodiola supplements which are a proven adaptogen for increasing stamina by up to 70%, Hey, I figured if its good enough for the Russians to give to their Cosmonauts, why not give it a try.
 
How is this experience going to affect you going forward?
Going Forward- I intend to remain an active participant at the Employee Wellness Center, and under the continued guidance of our trainer, Rami to accomplish much more, and to especially not revert back to my old ways......I have my second grandchild on the way, from my daughter, and my son has just got engaged (this week).  I would like to stick around!

M. Bitterman after 12 weeks