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Weight Loss Success Stories - Liz Lost 47 Pounds
First Name: Liz
Age: 26
Family Status: Single
Occupation: Executive Assistant (HR & Operations)
Hometown: Syracuse, New York
Pounds or Inches Lost: I have lost 47 pounds (so far) and
over 18" off my waist!
Height: 4'11"
Waist: 35"
Starting Weight: 249 pounds
Current Weight: 202 pounds
       
Liz's Weight Loss Story!
When did you become unhappy with your weight?
I've always been unhappy with my weight. I've always been a chunky
kid and being picked on is an understatement. Everything from
nasty letters, to nicknames, to Slim Fast under my windshield
wipers. I've seen it all.
What made you decide to lose weight?
I hit my highest weight in 2005 and attempted Weight Watchers.
Unable to achieve my initial weight loss goal of 25 pounds, I
gave up after three months having lost only 18 pounds. I ballooned
back up gradually, once again hitting my highest weight in the
summer of 2009 after going through a very emotionally draining
and stressful breakup. Having constant anxiety attacks, trying
to balance work and the emotional drain of what I was going through,
I once again threw any concept of being healthy out the window
and found living on drive-thru meals for breakfast, lunch, dinner
and an occasional late night snack, a norm.
Around Thanksgiving, I became incredibly depressed and couldn't
even stand to look at myself in the mirror anymore. I had so much
going for me, yet I had no energy to actually enjoy my life. Going
Christmas shopping seemed like more of a chore than fun, because
I could hardly drag myself through one floor of the mall without
feeling out of breath and exhausted. I went to Seneca Mall one
night after work to get my nails done, then ran into Big Lots
because quite frankly, I'm addicted to buying little decorations
for my apartment. When I walked out of the store, I looked over
at the gym. Here it was, at this time, the middle of December,
practically a blizzard out, and there were tons of people going
in and out of Aspen's doors. I looked at myself in the reflection
of the store window and decided right then and there that I was
going to buy myself a Christmas present. A lifestyle change.
What were the most important changes you made to lose weight?
I hired a personal trainer because I finally admitted that I
needed help. I took advantage of my two free training sessions,
and then decided to take my bonus and spend it on a package of
more sessions. I met with my new trainer two times every week,
and he not only encouraged me to keep going in terms of the exercise,
but also taught me a lot about nutrition through our conversations.
He made me finally understand how losing weight works, and to
not get discouraged like in the past when I don't lose anything
or even gain weight, and he forbid me from weighing myself every
week.
Measurements were done every 6 weeks. Between the results of
seeing inches literally disappear and seeing myself fit into smaller
clothes gradually, I realized that I was really doing it. I was
really making progress! Every pound that I've lost has meant SO
much to me, because I've never been able to do this before. I
have grown to love walking, and believe it or not, shopping for
clothes! I've literally gone from plus size to petites, and it
feels AMAZING. From feeling like I was going to die after 10 minutes
at 2.0 on the treadmill, to being able to walk 9 miles through
Washington DC this weekend and LOVING it. I am happier than I've
ever been.
What was most challenging about losing weight?
Changing my eating habits and learning to cook at home. I go
away on most weekends, so groceries seem like more of a waste,
but I've gotten used to taking leftovers for lunches to use things
up, and my friends and family have kept me motivated to stay in
the gym.
How long did it take you to start to see results?
I dropped 7 pounds my first week.
How long did it take for you to reach your current weight?
I herniated a disc in my lower spine in May and was just released
to go back to the gym this past month. I had lost 32 pounds by
that time and I had to start seeing specialists for my back in
May. I have dropped down to 47 pounds lost since then just from
eating right and staying as active as I can by walking, etc. Just
no weight lifting since then. So, it took me 9 months total to
lose the weight.
How long have you maintained your weight loss and how do you do
it?
I still want to lose another 30 pounds.
How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
I am so much happier now. I can go do things with friends and
be active and not out of breath. I can walk through big cities
with no issues and see things I wouldn't normally see or if I
did, certainly wouldn't have enjoyed doing.
How did ShapeFit help you reach your weight loss goals?
When I first started my journey, I visited ShapeFit.com and found
reading other peoples journeys very inspiring. Now that I've lost
almost 50 pounds, I want to be another voice to help show young
women that it IS possible to lose weight without any fancy pills
or surgery. Anyone can lose weight by just eating right and being
motivated.
Liz's Weight Loss Tips!
Weight Loss Tip #1:
 Tell
everyone you know about your decision to change your lifestyle.
They will hold you accountable and motivated.
Weight Loss Tip #2:
Eat numerous small meals throughout the day. Protein shakes are
GREAT with skim milk after the gym.
Weight Loss Tip #3:
Do as much weight training as you can and hit the weights hard.
Muscle burns calories all day, where cardio only burns calories
for about an hour or so after you're done working out.
Weight Loss Tip #4:
Take a lot of pictures. Watching yourself literally shrink is
amazing!
Weight Loss Tip #5:
Don't weigh yourself! Pound for pound, fat takes up more volume,
or space, than muscle. Judge your progress by how clothes fit
and by actual measurements done every 6 weeks.
Liz's Weight Loss Eating Plan!
Breakfast:
1 egg scrambled, cooked with fat free olive oil cooking spray.
1 slice of Canadian bacon. 1 slice of whole wheat toast with peanut
butter or 2 slices of whole wheat bread with peanut butter and/or
a bowl of plain cereal with 1 packet of splenda to sweeten it.
Lunch:
Turkey sandwich with carrot sticks, fat free yogurt and grapes
or another fruit. Or, leftovers from dinner the night before.
SmartOne meals are awesome and they are a great thing to keep
in the freezer!
Dinner:
I eat a lot of beef (97% lean), goulash with whole wheat pasta
is great, or tacos with fat free cheese, whole wheat pasta with
meatballs and homemade sauce, chili. The list goes on and on.
Snacks or Mini Meals:
I always keep bananas in the house. I also like to keep grapes
(sweet) and fat free cheese around. Grilled cheese with fat free
cheese and whole wheat bread is good if you're not super hungry.
Add tomato soup with skim milk and you've got a great winter comfort
meal.
Liz's Weight Loss Workouts!
Weight Training:
Upper body one day, lower body one day and cardio for about 30
minutes after each weight training session. At least one additional
day for an hour of just cardio.
Cardiovascular:
Treadmill is what I did. Up and down random hill training speeds
with different inclines. It really gets your heart beating!
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