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Permalink Reply by Amber on August 9, 2012 at 11:13am

I lost 80lbs over a matter of about 18 months. I did so by tracking my calories on www.sparkpeople.com. It's a free weight loss community. I didn't exercise much at first. I did some light Pilates and walking when the weather was decent. It took about 3 months to lose 20 lbs, 8 months to lose 50 and like I said about another 6-8 months to lose the last 30. I gained about 5-8 lbs back and I am working on losing about 10. I think I will be good at that weight. Obviously the more you lose the longer it takes to lose more. The heavier you are the faster it comes off. Now I do the elliptical machine at home for 25 minutes 4-6 times a week and Pilates 3-5 times a week. When I first started trying to lose weight I was eating Weight Watchers meals and the like until I figured out how much sodium and preservatives were in them. Now I try to stick to good real whole foods. I too recommend the documentary "Fat Sick and nearly Dead" as well as "Forks over Knives" and "Food Inc". Very eye opening. Discipline is key but so is moderation. If you want a piece of chocolate then have one not ten. If you want to splurge on dessert with dinner work out an extra 10-15 minutes. Good luck to you!

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Permalink Reply by Gradly on August 9, 2012 at 11:23am

People have given you some great advice. I am on a healthier me journey as well. If you ever need an ear feel free to reach out. 

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Permalink Reply by Sophia Gonzalez on August 9, 2012 at 1:20pm

They say itz 80% diet and 20% exercise to lose weight and stay fit. for me, i avoid pastas, cheeses, and breads. Eat more veggies and more protein, avoid fruits too cos they're loaded with sugars. And then for the exercise part, find something you love to do that is active and do it! for me, it's dancing. I do burlesque and it is a GREAT workout, I also do pole dancing and aerial as well. You should check out a pole dancing class or burlesque if they offer it where you live. It makes you feel sexy and confident, and it's a great workout! and lastly, don't ever give up. each new day is a new day to continue to live healthy. love yourself and the body you have! xo!

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Permalink Reply by Leanna Bruce on August 9, 2012 at 2:11pm

Thanks girls! Lots of positivity which is nice! I can do it and I will!!!

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Permalink Reply by Denise on August 10, 2012 at 9:56am

You know fixating on your weight is not going to make you happy. You need to look at it as just a silly number that does not matter. I would say pick a dress in a size that you like and aim to fit into it. Don't define yourself by your weight it will result in obsession to loose it and even depression if you don't. Get some exercise like a nice brisk walk or if you can run do 20-30 mins a day to kick start your metabolism. The first thing you Should do is drink a litre of water in the morning to help
Flush your system out. Stay away from high sugar and high carb food options (inc fruit) one or two pieces a day is more than enough. Eat raw veggies, don't over cook your steak. High protien options are fish, chicken, beef and eggs they will all help you feel fuller for longer. The less sugar the better so stick to strawberries if you can't cut fruit. Lastly stay away from Alchol or keep it to a min like a glass of dry white or vodka these are low sugar and carb options. Hope you get to a size your comfortable with :) please throw out your scales they are unhealthy!

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Permalink Reply by Denise on August 10, 2012 at 11:23am

Forgot to mention, but dont forget to go ahead and eat that dessert every now and again, just swap more for less. Share that slice of cake with a friend! That way you CAN have your cake AND eat it too! Going on rigid diets might give you immediate results but its really a lifestyle and eating style you need to change. Do something sustainable and that does not make you feel guilty about eating that cupcake at lunch (just get a mini instead of a full sized one). Hope this helps :)

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Permalink Reply by Kajsa Logan-Müller on August 10, 2012 at 3:40pm

I have stopped using a scale (partly because I can't afford one, and partly because I know I would hate having one), and just focus on a measuring-tape whenever I get an urge to feel healthy and exercise-hungry. After all it's more about the figure than the number on the scale. Two people with the same weight could look totally different, depending totally on who they are and how their bodies look like to begin with.

I would really recommend for you to buy a hoola-hoop! It's fun, you don't even realize you're working out and you loose inches FAST. I usually use mine while watching sit-coms on my computer while in my pj:s, preferably before breakfast, 'cause I heard you burn more calories on an empty stomach.

I bought a really cool one, with weights in it so you get more of a workout. Although, on the first day I used it for maybe two hours, and I was sooo bruised. I had a wide, blue band around my waist. After a few days after using the hoola-hoop for everything between 20 min-1 hour a day, I measured my waist. I had lost 3,5 inches!

Of course, it's quickest in the beginning, and I didn't lose inches in that rate afterwards, but it has really done a lot to my figure, and I feel a lot more feminine and confident. And as many others have said: good looks starts with good confidence.

Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Emmy Stone on August 10, 2012 at 4:21pm

Firstly - I wouldn't let your weight hold you back from your ambitions. There are many plus-size specialist agencies - looking at the many gorgeous, curvier PUG models will tell you you don't have to be a size 6 to be a successful model. Although you may not feel comfortable in your skin (and believe me, even slim girls get those moments - trust me!!) the opportunities if you explore them may boost your own self confidence.In relation to your weight loss goals - there are a few staple tips (some of which already covered by other posters) that will go a long way. Drink plenty of water. Sometimes the stomach confuses thirst signals for hunger - sounds odd, but can be the case. That being said, you should never be in a position where you are hungry. Make sure you have plenty of snacks on hand. I eat relatively healthy, but snack 2-3 times a day in between meals too. My favs are yogurts, nuts and dried fruit.  Starvation and food-group deprivation diets are not only unsustainable, but they are tricking your body, and you will be in a position vunerable to yo-yo'ing should you fall off the wagon. Limit salt (causes bloating) and sugar. Sugar is very very hard for me to cut, so I still allow it - however as you have a large goal, I would recommend sugar abstinence if your willpower is stronger than mine and can cut it! The good news is sugar is addictive, so after 2 weeks of abstinence, you'll be setting yourself in a great position to permanently see a reduction, and the weight will drop off at what feels like little effort after you've got over the cold turkey stage! I'm also a food lover  -I struggle eating out and being healthy (whilst I'm more than happy to eat baked potatoes at home, I struggle to turn down fries in a resturant!) - but I recommend ihhly cooking from scratch. I'm no master chef, but cook most of my meals from scratch (trust me, it's a lot easier than it sounds) and I can't underestimate the joy from cooking and eating a healthly, guilt free delish meal! Exercise is also vital - maybe not so much to weight loss, but certainly for sculpting your hot new bod once is starts to take the form you are after. You don't need a gym membership - walking and running is free, and little things like parking your car further away and taking the stairs all add up. Also, a lot of women make the mistake of avoiding weight training thinking it'll make them bigger. Weight training is not only great for scultping, but also offers incredible fat burn - even after you have finished lifting them. You can invest something as little as £15 on a cheap weight set - and soon you'll find it pretty easy to fit in 10 mins when you get up, and again before bed without even noticing. Very best of luck - be happy and healthy!!! x

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Permalink Reply by Della Rae on August 10, 2012 at 8:15pm

less booze more spinach salads!
did it for me

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Permalink Reply by Leanna Bruce on August 11, 2012 at 2:15am

To me it's not so much what the scales will say, its the size clothes I will be able to fit in to and what I see in the mirror, I'll know if I'm happy with what I see or not and right now I'm not very happy. I know it will probably take around 3 stone to get there, but if i'm comfortable and I've lost 2 then thats ok, as long as I'm happy with what I see and how I feel. I have rubbish will power and if I dont see results quickly I tend to give up and give in to what I want...that needs to change. I've beean eating loads more spinach. People keep saying its good for you! Hoola hoop sounds like a good idea! Never thought of that!! I'll have to see where I can find one! I've cut back on fizzy drinks loads, I know even if they are 'diet' they still are not good for you so sticking to water and sugar free squash for fluids, I dont drink tea or coffee and dont drink alcohol unles a special occassion so that helps.

Friends keep telling me to try the Cambrige diet (a shake diet)...it gets results quickly but I want the results to last too...plus if I'm finding it hard to make the food changes I'd find it super hard to live on only bad tasting milk shakes. I think slowly making better choices and changing habbits, increasing the exercise is the way forward and not going for the easy way out.

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Permalink Reply by Christine Cochrum on August 11, 2012 at 10:13am

Leanna,

First of aIl I want to say how amazingly stunning you are! I sed to model a long time ago and I know how disheatning it can be for someone to tell you "you're not what we want".

I am a holistic health coach and I help people learn how to create a balanced healthy lifestyle and loosing weight happens to come along with that for most people. It's not just about being a certian weight, but how to be healthy and happy at the same time. While I'm based in Baltimore, Maryland I do a lot of work with people through Skype. Here 's some info if you are interested.

http://www.apothecary-wellness.com/services/holistic-health-coachin...

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Permalink Reply by Desilu on August 11, 2012 at 10:48am

I understand completely where you are at. There are so many things I have changed in my lifestyle in order to lose weight because I learned long ago that it is a lifestyle change - not just a weight/exercise/diet thing. There are several things to take in to consideration when trying to achieve your ideal weight:

1. You mentioned an underactive thyroid; do you take medication for it? There are MANY MANY medications that increase weight, or make weight impossible to lose, in spite of anything you do. I did a medication switch about a year ago, and I have been able to lose more than I was able to on the previous medication.
If you don't take medication for the thyroid, should you be? This may also help with weight loss (as the thyroid is one the MAJOR components in your brain that dictates weight, hunger, metabolism, etc.).

2. I cut out as many preservatives as possible. This morning I had all-natural yogurt with about a cup of granola and sweetened with natural clover honey. Use natural sweeteners instead of the non-natural sweeteners (I use honey alot; it not only sweetens but a lot of flavor). This can be difficult (at least here in the US) because organic and all-natural groceries actually cost more than their counterparts loaded with preservatives. When I eat out, I still look for meals that are almost guaranteed to be made of fresh ingredients as opposed to those that are going to be loaded with heavier ingredients. I eat fruits, especially in the heat - it's hard enough for me to want to eat in the heat, that fruits are the lightest things I can eat and still add nutrients to my body.

3. Eat breakfast. I was told that not eating breakfast was the equivalent to my body cannibalizing itself. That image alone was enough for me to put something in my body in the morning before I leave for my day. I also drink 2 cups of coffee everyday - studies have shown that it helps reduce heart disease, which is rampant in my family (my family genes suck big time - I have to fight obesity, heart disease, skin cancer, among other things. not fun. not fun at all.).

4. Cut out all fizzies ... they take up space that nutrients need to work. I occassionally have a soda (although, lately, I've been off this rule and drinking more than I should be). Lots and lots of water, some fruit juice (check the label - 100% juice, not 25%, etc, because those are made up of water, sugar and preservatives), and an electrolyte drink (especially in the heat or while working out; but I go with the "light" version of these).

5. Above all, listen to your body. Hear what it is telling you, whether it is hungry, craving something, tired, stressed, injured, whatever. Not listening to your body is going to be your biggest downfall when trying to get healthy. I know I'm 5'2", but my body is never going to be the "advised" 125lbs. Not possible. I will never be a size 4. My hips are currently 42", but I have given birth, and they will NOT get any smaller (I have only muscle on my hips as of right now, so they won't get any smaller). The only body part I really have any "control" over is my waist, which is what I am working on (I think I'll try the hula hoop!). But, I have been through EXTREME stress over the past 5 yrs, which resulted in a "cortisol belly" (cortisol is the stress chemical in your body; when your body/mind is stressed, cortisol actually causes your body to retain fat for future needs). I am just now in a place where this is not an issue, and now I have to tone it back into shape. Sleep is crucial. Not just any sleep, but good, deep sleep. It is extremely necessary for your body to reboot for the next day.

6. A lot of athletes use the stadium bleachers at their local high school to run up and down them - no cost, a wonderful exercise. At work, we have 3 floors. Instead of riding it up, I jog up them (which is how I lost 2" off my hips) and down them. I walk 3 miles roundtrip to work and back - rain or shine, doesn't matter (my co-workers are used to seeing me come in with my wellies and umbrella and coat during the winter). The only time I haven't walked to work is in the extreme heat we are currently having, just because is it is not safe. I do have a gym membership, and take advantage of their classes. If you can't do the gym, check the local YMCA or Adult School and sign up for a yoga or pilates class. Or a dance class. Yoga is amazing for sculpting your body.

I think that's all... Above all, love your body. It took me until I was 30 to realize this, but my body has survived 2 sexual assaults, giving birth and a c-section (cause he was waay to big), takes me to work and allows me to work despite a herniated disc in my spine, unbelievable stress and hardship, a skin cancer, heart disease... I could continue. Because of all of that, I have learned to respect my body (in spite of my cig habit) and try to continue to respect it and treat it with care. If I don't, I won't have it for much longer, and I'm only 35 - I fully intend to outlive my mother and grandmother (she died at 61 from heart disease). I want to see my son married, happy and with children, and to play with my grandchildren.

I hope some or all of this has helped you. I think we all understand where you are at, but take our advice as just that and do what's right for you. Best wishes... xox

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