Weight Loss Success Stories - Caroline Lost 126 Pounds

First Name: Caroline
Age: 29
Family Status: Single
Occupation: Government
Hometown: Washington, DC
Pounds or Inches Lost: I lost 126 pounds!
Height: 5'2"
Waist: n/a
Starting Weight: 273 pounds
Current Weight: 147 pounds

Caroline's Weight Loss Story!

When did you become unhappy with your weight?

After my first semester in college. I was 5’2 in height and 273 pounds in the 8th grade. Over the last eight (8) years, now at 29 years old and still around 5’2ish, I have lost and maintained a 126 pound weight loss without gastric bypass surgery, any commercial diet programs or fad diets. I attribute my weight loss success to strengthening my faith, determination, patience, and a treadmill. Exercise has been the central tool in my transformation, but it’s still only one part of the puzzle towards health. I significantly changed how I eat; altering my relationship to food and eating. Again, I adhere to no specific diet. I practice mindful eating, remaining disciplined and limiting my intake of carbohydrates, sugar, dairy products and caffeine.

What made you decide to lose weight?

There was no major incident that caused me to have an "aha moment" really. One day I was home visiting from college. And I just said to myself "I had enough!" Enough of wearing body girdles to fit into certain outfits, enough of being the girl that guys never acknowledged. Overall being obese had caused me to miss out on enjoying simple things in life: I had not worn a bathing suit since I was 9 years old, was never able to ride a roller coaster because the safety bar did not fit over my stomach, and did not have my first boyfriend until graduate school.

What were the most important changes you made to lose weight?

I began working out everyday.

What was most challenging about losing weight?

Some weeks I would lose pounds and some weeks I would lose nothing at all.

How long did it take you to start to see results?

1 month.

How long did it take for you to reach your current weight?

One year to to lose it and learn how to maintain it.

How often do you exercise?

My key to success was learning to replace an unhealthy addiction: mindless eating while sitting in front of the television, with a healthy addiction: hitting the gym everyday. "I eat everyday, so I workout everyday," is my number one fitness tip when giving advice to others.

What is your favorite workout?

For 60 minutes, I love to do a combined high speed and high incline walk on the treadmill while listening to music and/or watching a mindless reality show. It really makes me feel like I'm challenging myself and using every muscle in my body to pull myself up on the incline. And it has also given me a great booty!

What is your favorite motivational/inspirational quote?

"Those who can most be accounted brave are those who know best know the meaning of what is sweet in life and what is terrible, and then go out undeterred to meet what is to come." ~Pericles (a gift from Tulane Professor Cinda Lanza, when I was having a really bad day).

How do you find balance in your life?

My faith, exercise and travel have become my therapy.

What is your greatest accomplishment?

It would be expected that losing 126 pounds is my greatest accomplishment. However, my greatest accomplishment is coming to peace with the car accident death of my two teenage cousins and absence of my father after my parents' divorce. For many years, I was angry at the world and God about these two things. I dealt with my anger by vacuuming in Hot Pockets and Hostess cupcakes. Perhaps my real "aha moment" was reaching a place of forgiveness.

What do you love most about your body?

I love and admire my body's stamina when I am at the gym. My body's endurance when working out surprises me everyday. And of course I love my booty!

Best compliment?

A cardiologist looking at a sonogram of my heart, told me that I have the heart and heart rate of a marathon runner!

What are the last 5 songs played on your iPod?

1. Bootylicious - Destiny's Child
2. Keep Hope Alive - Crystal Method
3. Again - Faith Evans
4. All Nite (Don't Stop) - Janet Jackson
5. On to the Next One - Jay Z

What weight loss or fitness tools do you use that you rely on in your weight loss and fit life journey?

Good, comfortable and affordable workout clothes from discount designer stores like Marshall's and Ross. You really can find the durable sweat resistant workout clothes there for half the price. For me, having cute fitness clothes, motivates me to workout.

My IPOD and Blackberry! A few weeks ago I learned how to stream music through my Blackberry so it's a stand in for my IPOD from time to time.

I am a member of many online wellness and fitness communities. Discussing health and wellness with individuals from all over the world keeps me motivated and most of all EDUCATED on adhering to a health lifestyle.

How long have you maintained your weight loss and how do you do it?

8 years! I attribute my weight loss success to strengthening my faith, determination, patience…and a treadmill. Exercise has been the central tool in my transformation, but it's still only one part of the puzzle towards health. I significantly changed how I eat; altering my relationship to food and eating. Again, I adhere to no specific diet. I practice mindful eating, remaining disciplined and limiting my intake of carbohydrates, sugar, dairy products and caffeine.

How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?

Outside of all the superficial stuff of being able to wear cute clothes and a guy or two noticing me, my weight loss has made me more driven all around. Losing 126 pounds has made me feel as if no obstacle is too big whether its school, work-related or family-related. Life has taught me that God is never going give me more than I am capable of handling.

How did ShapeFit help you reach your weight loss goals?

ShapeFit's weight loss success stories are very motivational.

Caroline's Weight Loss Tips!

Weight loss tip #1:

Workout in the morning and get it out of the way!

Weight loss tip #2:

Take advantage of your primary care doctor and ask for assistance when trying to lose weight.

Weight loss tip #3:

Shop for cute work out clothes at designer discount stores. It will motivate you to exercise.

Weight loss tip #4:

Drink lots of water everyday!

Weight loss tip #5:

Stay focused on your goal and you will achieve it!

Caroline's Weight Loss Eating Plan!

What 5 Food Items Are "Must Haves" In Your Kitchen?

1. Costco's Kirkland Organic Salt-Free Seasoning - Sure it is healthy, but I have just never been a fan of salty food.

2. Economy size bag of frozen chicken breasts. - I think of chicken breasts as my "chameleon food." I can make them adapt too almost any dish and they are a convenient source of lean protein.

3. Frozen veggies such as cauliflower, spinach and bell peppers - Being that I am a single lady and feeding only me, fresh veggies tend to spoil very quickly. Frozen veggies of course last longer, are usually already chopped and cheaper!

4. Leak-proof Tupperware - I am a creation of convenience. On Sunday, I typically cook my lunches and dinners for the week and put them in Tupperware. That way I always have healthy food ready that I can just pop in the microwave.

5. Bottled water, water, water and more water - I live in Washington, DC and there has been way too much controversy on drinking the tap water here. Water keeps me well hydrated for my workouts and lubricates my joints for tough workouts as well.

Caroline's Weight Loss Workouts!

Weight Training:

I have not started weight training yet.

Cardiovascular:

60 minutes of high incline walking.

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