Success Story #49

Name:                         M. Tracey
Improvement:           40lbs. Weight Loss
Time:                          3 months
Program:                    2011 Total Transformation Challenge

What was your biggest challenge / obstacle (s)?
My obstacles were making time to go to the gym (Decided to at east start at twice a week and then slowly progressed to 3-4 times a week) and cooking healthy meals at home.
 
What motivated you to stay on the course?
I am so grateful for our trainer here at JFK. He told me “You stick with me and I will help you to lose all your weight” That was a great motivation. Finally someone who believed I could lose the weight, since it was still difficult for me to believe.
Also my dear Husband, who has curtailed his eating habits, encouraged me to stay on track, and to continue to cook healthy for both of us. My dear mother who always been there to encourage me and keep away any self doubt. And I also want to thank Jesus for showing me the way to abstain from my food addictions.
 
Did your diet change? If so, How? Please be detailed!
Dramatic change! I went from eating fast junk food to cooking healthy meals at home. Due to life’s demands, it is hard to cook dinner if I am getting home late, so on those really late days I cook a quick turkey burger and make some salad or make some baked fries (just 1 portion that is weighed out on a scale.) I did not use my food scale before, but believe me what you think is 1 portion may be really 2 or 3. So weigh it to get accurate calories. Counting calories and making calorie adjustments as you lose the weight.
Another great help was reading Dr. Oz’s book “You on a Diet”. I learned that there are certain foods that trigger hunger. For me to be successful I had to eliminate those foods forever. It was just like being on any type of substance addiction.
Staying away from High Fructose Corn Syrup, refined sugar, enriched white breads or pasta really helps with not having any cravings for unhealthy food.
 
What advice could you give to others that want the same results? 
When it is your time to lose weight go and Do It! Do not give up because you are overweight or have failed before. Just start and believe in yourself. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Read a great book with great advice. Do not worry about what others think. Believe in yourself. You had a bad meal? Fix it by making the next meal a healthier one. It’s not the end of your diet.
 
How is this experience going to affect you going forward?
I have the strength and stamina to keep going until I reach my goal which is about 130 pounds of weight loss. I am looking at a 10 pound weight loss for each goal. I recently noticed that I could stand up and play ball with my puppy with ease. My little “Snowflake”, she is a beautiful Westie, who loves playing with her Mickey Mouse ball and now her mom can play ball with her for long periods of time.