Weight Loss Stories – Carrie Falquist Lost 74 Pounds

Name: Carrie
Age: 34
Family Status: Married with children
Occupation: Artist and weight loss coach
Hometown: Battle Ground, Washington
Pounds or Inches Lost: I’ve lost 74 pounds so far (26 to go), 8 inches off my waist, 11 off my hips, 3 off each thigh. I’ve gone from a size 20 to a 14!
Starting Weight: 247 pounds
Current Weight: 173 pounds

Carrie’s Weight Loss Story!

My name is Carrie Falquist, and I’m a mother, wife, artist and online weight loss group leader. In December of 2006, I found myself at 230 pounds and trying out for weight loss reality shows such as NBC-TV’s The Biggest Loser, and ABC-TV’s new show, Fat March. During casting, I ceased all efforts to take weight off, and put on an additional 18 pounds through the 2 month process.

I received call backs, requests for more information, more photos and more videos from both casting companies, but at the very end I did not make the final cut from each show. Having promised myself I would not stay fat long enough to try out next season, I banded together with other reality TV rejects to lose weight on our own. I started a blog where we could all come together, share our struggles and offer support.

Support has been key for me, as I have never had to try to lose weight in the past, at least not to this extent. Up until I was 26 (1999), my body was naturally slim. I ate anything I wanted and maintained a weight of 150 pounds, which at 5’10” is a healthy one. A horseback riding accident caused trauma to my thyroid and the result was a weight gain of 60 pounds in 4 months. Having grown up with a super fast metabolism, I did not know what to do with my body in that condition. Weight loss was a constant struggle, so I just stopped trying. I stayed between 220-230 pounds for many years, until casting for The Biggest Loser and Fat March started.

Fast forward to March. My blog forms from 20 other casting hopefuls, and we promise each other”No Drama, No Whining, and NO EXCUSES.” We made a vow that we weren’t going to hang onto what made us fat, because we were keeping us fat.

I weighed 248 pounds at the end of March with a BMI of 36.8, and am now, in December, I am a healthy 173.8 pounds with a BMI of 24.8. My goal is to lose another 25.8 pounds and reach a total of 100 pounds lost, so I will be at 148 pounds. I believe the group has been instrumental in my success. Not only do I have added accountability as the group’s leader, but there are now over 170 members, people I can count on to believe in myself when I falter.

Others in my group have lost 50, 70, even 90 pounds since March, and we celebrated our first annual get together in Las Vegas in October, meeting in person for the first time as well as being interviewed for a feature in a major health and fitness magazine. Several of us have appeared on local talk shows, the newspapers in our home towns and radio interviews.

The goal with my blog is to spread the message of empowerment to others who feel like they need some sort of magic formula to lose weight. I want to lead people to a healthier lifestyle and help them reach their goals without extreme measures, without TV shows, pills, surgery, etc. I’ve recently been invited by a previous Biggest Loser contestant to join her in coaching people online and creating healthy nutrition and exercise plans. It’s an honor to be working with some of the past Biggest Loser contestants as well as one of the trainers in this project.

Carrie’s Weight Loss Interview!

When did you become unhappy with your weight?
I was unhappy with my weight when it first came on. I had been thin my whole life, then I had an accident which damaged my thyroid, and I put on 60 pounds in 4 months, going from 150 to 210. I have struggled with taking it off ever since, which has been 8 years.

What made you decide to lose weight?
I tried out for The Biggest Loser and Fat March last December. Going through casting and knowing that I was obese enough to be considered for both shows was a wake up call.

What were the most important changes you made to lose weight?
Creating a support group has made the most difference in my success. Having people I’m accountable has been a huge reason behind my weight loss.

What was most challenging about losing weight?
The most challenging thing was falling back into “fat girl” mode. It’s not hard to workout, and it’s not hard to eat healthy. It is hard sometimes to ignore the internal dialogue that tells me I’m going to fail so I might as well quit.

How long did it take you to start to see results?
I saw results within a few weeks and noticeable results within about 6 weeks. I started feeling better.

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

How long have you maintained your weight loss and how do you do it?
I’m still losing but I’ve steadily lost weight each month, and plan to reach my goal within 3 months.

How has your life changed now that you’ve lost weight?
I’m more active, outgoing and more of a risk taker. I went skydiving in October, which is something I never would have tried before.

How did ShapeFit help you reach your weight loss goals?
ShapeFit’s weight loss success stories are truly inspirational.

Carrie’s Weight Loss Tips!

Weight loss tip #1:
Cook a bunch of healthy food on Sunday and put it into pre-portioned bags.

Weight loss tip #2:
Drink 100 ounces of water each day.

Weight loss tip #3:
Make yourself accountable to other people.

Weight loss tip #4:
Keep a food journal!

Weight loss tip #5:
Train with weights.

Carrie’s Weight Loss Eating Plan!

Breakfast:
After morning cardio, I have a protein shake.

Lunch:
Usually grilled chicken on a salad or wrap.

Dinner:
Grilled meat, small portion of brown rice or couscous, steamed veggies.

Snacks or Mini Meals:
Protein bar (I like Pria 110 calorie bars), another shake, or a small piece of light cheese and 1/2 an apple.

Carrie’s Weight Loss Workouts!

Weight Training:
5 days per week, broken into sections: chest and triceps, glutes and shoulders, back, biceps and hamstrings, calves.

Cardiovascular:
I do cardio 60-90 minutes per session, 6 days a week. I like doing the elliptical and treadmill.