You Lose You Win: Lisa
I can’t believe I was once a size 22.
Before: 270 lb
After: 155 lb
Even as a kid, Lisa 26, a project manager was over weight. Though she was active and loved sports, her high-calorie, high-fat diet (she was big on brownies, cookies, and soda) still packed on pounds. I guess I wasn’t raised with healthy habits or portion control, she says.
The Gain
Her weight problem came to a head as she got older and was putting on more pounds. She had less time to exercise, and her eating habits worsened. Meals of fast food, pizza, ice cream added up. By 25, her clothing size was constantly going up.
The Change
The change came when she was not only putting on more weight, I also had a lot less energy and wasn’t feeling good about my appearance.
The Lifestyle Change
she cut the bad carbs and replaced it with whole wheat carbs. I also cut out the sweets that are high in sugar, starting with soda and flavored water drinks which are high in fructose corn syrup, an artificial ingredient. Twelve weeks in she was down 30 pounds and had the energy to join a softball team. Six months later, in January 2009, Lisa celebrated her first 100 pounds lost with a gym membership. Then she started running and dropped 15 more pounds before she did her first 10-K that May.
Lisa’s Tips
Make the reward as big as the goal. After my marathon, I took myself on vacation to Palm Springs.
Drink often. The more hydrated you are, the less hungry you feel.
Recircuit your stress. I curbed emotional eating with a new outlet: running.
