Today’s weight loss success story: Erika lost 42 pounds. Â This 5’2″ diva went from 180 to 138 after years of trying diet pills and fads. Â A friend’s success with just eating right and calorie counting inspired her and now her story can inspire others to do the same. Here is what she shared with us:
October 17, 2012 for the third time I decided I was going to give losing weight a try. The first time I tried taking phentermine diet pills and after losing my first 7 pounds in 3 days I couldn’t lose anymore, I gave up. The second time I tried the HCG diet and lost 12 pounds, but after a month I gave up because I was still hungry. After waiting a whole year I had gained all that weight back. At the age of 23 I was 5’2″ tall and weighing 180 pounds. I was overweight, uncomfortable, unhappy, and had low self-esteem. That wasn’t the person I knew for 22 years of my life. After 3 years, I was finally fed up with being that person.
On October 17, 2012 I woke up and looked in the mirror and said to myself “I’m about to lose this weight once and for all”. This time I was serious because after seeing one of my close friends lose 14 pounds in one month by just eating healthy and counting calories, it gave me hope. That very same day that’s what I did. I downloaded a app on my phone called “Lose it”, which by the way is one of the best things to happen to me. That app helped me tremendously. My very first month I lost 12 pounds. By Christmas I was down 21 pounds. Finally I had found something that worked for me. I was so happy. After 3 months of losing weight just by eating healthy I decided to add some exercise in. I took Zumba classes once a week and I stayed in the gym. I weigh 138 pounds (42 pounds lighter) and I’m feeling like the person I used to be. My goal was to be able to wear a belly shirt, but most importantly to be healthy and fit. Best decision I’ve ever made. Im still eating healthy and exercising to stay in shape and this is now a lifestyle.
Could you tell us more about how you changed your eating habits?
VEGETABLES & FRUITS
I love salad so I eat salad a lot. I try eating different meats in my salad such as low sodium bacon, turkey and chicken lunch meat, or tilapia. I make sure I eat vegetables especially green vegetables with every meal (broccoli, spinach, green beans, peas, etc. I also eat lots of fruit (apples, bananas, watermelon, oranges, strawberries, cantaloupe, mango, blueberries, and especially pineapples because they help with digestion.
MEATS
I eat fish (tilapia or salmon), turkey (bacon, ground, burger, etc… and chicken, mainly breast (baked, grilled, or broiled). I try eating 6 times a day, 3 small meals and three snacks.
DRINKS
I started off drinking crystal light but now I only drink lemon water and smoothies. Sometimes, I may drink a smoothie in place of a meal. In my smoothies I use frozen and fresh fruit, almond milk, and sometimes frozen yogurt.
SNACKS
I am a big snacker so when I’m craving sweets I buy and eat 100 calorie snacks such as (cookies, brownies, chocolate candy, pastries, chips, etc, or I may have some fruit. I eat a lot of Special K and weight watchers products (frozen dinners, cereals, ice creams, cheese, etc.
Kim says
Thank you for posting this information, I am so glad that someone finally posted how they really did it, meaning a menu of foods as well as exercise. Congratulations to you and best of luck to you as well, and Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.
J-Amarie says
Congratulations on your dedication to lose the weight. Just one question for all that drop significant weight: Why do you wear less clothing to cover your body when you drop siginificant weight?
Patti Mayo says
She said her goal was to be able to wear a belly shirt..and I think she looks FABULOUS!!
Samara says
I too downloaded the lose it app. So far in about 5 weeks I have lost 13lbs. I’m so happy I’ve found something that worked. You look amazing! Keep it up