How many pounds have you lost?
      I have lost 30 pounds. My goal was to lose 30 pounds.

How long did it take you to lose the weight?
      It took approximately 1 year and 8 months

How long have you kept it off?
      About 1 year

What health risks or medications have been reduced or eliminated?
      My medications have not been actually reduced. I was wearing magnets for pain therapy during my normal work hours everyday. I am now wearing them once a week or whenever necessary.

What motivated you to lose weight?
      I got tired of being heavy. My knees and hips hurt constantly while at work. I was also getting tired of wearing clothes that helped to mask my size. I also did not want to have to buy larger clothes as the clothes I was wearing were getting tight.

What were your previous weight loss efforts like? How is this one different?
      The typical diet tricks to lose weight. Cut out the fattening foods like cookies, chips, cakes and candy. I am not much on chocolate so that was easy to eliminate from the diet. I like hard candy, cookies and cake so it got to be rough. Of course when I reached the goal weight, I started to eat the foods I cut out so the diet was wasted. And I always gained more than I lost so the weight was higher.

With this program, I learned how to eat and how to count calories. I learned to eat as much as I needed to get to a goal weight and I learned to make food choices. This way I don't eliminate any foods so I don't ever feel deprived. And whenever, I eat more than I should, I have learned how not to beat myself up mentally. I have also learned to balance my calories. I have also learned to plan meals for the week better than what I did and I make smarter choices when I eat fast foods.

How did you feel losing weight?
      I felt good, both physically and emotionally. I felt as if I had control, since I learned to take control.

How have your family and friends reacted?
      My family has been really big supporters, even though we live in different parts of the country. My co-workers, especially Amy, have been supportive and great morale boosters. Some people have been afraid to ask, since they were not sure if I was losing weight because I wanted to or if I was sick.

What eating changes have helped you the most?
      Keeping food records. This helps me to keep track of what I eat during the day and stay within my caloric goal. This also helps to track any eating trends. Also learning to eat carrots or celery whenever preparing meals so I don't pick. I also learned to plan meals in advance to keep me within my goals.

What physical activity changes have helped you the most?
      I started to walk at work during my second break. I have also started parking away from the mall, grocery store, and work so that I have to walk further to get to my car. I was introduced to the fitness ball and bands for exercising which is easier for me to use and less expensive than a gym. The bands are better for me as I have taken them when I have visited my family so that the exercise program did not stop.

What is your current physical activity like?
      I still walk at work, more frequently now. I also do a mall walk at least one day per week. I also work with the bands and ball 3 times a week. I have had some dance tapes that I plane to start working with again.

What tips do you have for others?
      Don't get discouraged, weigh yourself at the same time and don't weigh yourself everyday, Write down what you eat and most important start off with a goal that is attainable and work toward it.

What’s your favorite low-calorie snack food?
      I enjoy munching on baby carrots whenever I prepare dinner or bake. This takes away the temptation to sample while preparing dinner. I also enjoy pretzels whenever I want a snack to replace the chips that one would normally have. And I like popcorn while watching a movie. For the evening snacks, I like an orange or peeled apple.

In addition, this program has helped me physically. Having arthritis, it get difficult to move due to the stiffness. The weight loss has taken the stress off of my knees and hips. Working on the ball and with the fitness bands has helped me with the flexibility and range of motion. Some moves that were once painful to do are now no longer painful and a little easier to do.

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