Name: Michelle
Age: 36
Family Status: Single
Occupation: Nursing Care Technician
Hometown: Berea, Kentucky
Height: 5’6″
Starting Weight: 335 pounds
Current Weight: 215 pounds
Pounds or Inches Lost: I lost 120 pounds!
Michelle’s Weight Loss Story!
When did you become unhappy with your weight?
July, 2009.
What made you decide to lose weight?
I got to a point in my life where I was almost unable to do for myself. I was wearing a C-pap machine, I couldn’t walk and my joints hurt. I couldn’t play with my child and just to get out of bed, was a chore.
What were the most important changes you made to lose weight?
I stopped doing everything that was bad for me. I took 2 weeks and wrote down everything I put in my mouth. I was averaging about 8,000-10,000 calories a day! I cut back to about 1,000-1,200 calories a day and avoided sugar, cut out soda (regular or diet) and ate lots of fresh of fruits and veggies.
What was most challenging about losing weight?
The most challenging thing for me was to stop my bad eating habits and getting to a point where I could be active. It took losing about 25 pounds before I could exercise and not be so out of breath. I was so addicted to food. I went to bed many nights crying, because I wanted to eat so bad. It was not because I was hungry, I was just so used to eating all the time.
How long did it take you to start to see results?
I started to see results the first week! In the first few weeks, it was nothing for me to lose 5+ pounds a week. Then when I included exercise, it started falling off! and I lost 75 pounds within the first 6 months.
How long did it take for you to reach your current weight?
I started in July of 2009.
How long have you maintained your weight loss and how do you do it?
I’m still losing. I want to lose about 30-40 more pounds. These last few pounds is the hardest yet.
How has your life changed now that you’ve lost weight?
It’s the little things that are so awesome to me! I can cross my legs, paint my own toes and shave my legs! I can walk 6 miles and not feel like I am going to die! I never in my life thought I could take a compliment. For so long, I would be offended because I still saw myself at 335 pounds. I’m starting to say thank you now and I feel good about it. I can buy cute cloths and feel good. I bought a swim suit for the first time in 20 years, took my son to the water park and rode every slide there. it was a great feeling. I didn’t even wear a T-shirt to hide behind!
How did ShapeFit help you reach your weight loss goals?
I am new to ShapeFit.com and I’m putting all my trust in this website to help me reach my weight loss goal. I have done everything to this point all on my own. BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS! I need all the advice and motivation I can get. I am so close to what I have been working toward! I hope to have an ending to my journey soon and ShapeFit.com will help me to achieve the goal that I have been working toward for almost 2 years now. I AM SO EXCITED!
Michelle’s Weight Loss Tips!
Weight loss tip #1:
You have to eat.
Weight loss tip #2:
No sugar and no soda (not even diet soda).
Weight loss tip #3:
Count every calorie that goes in your mouth.
Weight loss tip #4:
EXERCISE! EXERCISE! EXERCISE!
Weight loss tip #5:
Always reward yourself. We work hard for what we are doing!
Michelle’s Weight Loss Eating Plan!
Breakfast:
Oatmeal, cereal bar or yogurt with fresh fruit or veggie juice and coffee or green tea (no sweetener).
Lunch:
All veggie salad with some form of protein. Lettuce wraps are also a favorite.
Dinner:
Lean Cuisine or Healthy Choice help me because of portion control. Subway is great also.
Snacks or Mini Meals:
Protein shakes and I always have fresh veggies on hand. I don’t count them as my daily calorie intake since they are a free food for me. I love cottage cheese and veggie juice, or a yogurt.
Michelle’s Weight Loss Workouts!
Weight Training:
I currently do not weight train.
Cardiovascular:
I love the outdoors! Walking and running is my favorite. I know that if I push myself to walk to a certain point, I have to walk back to where I started.
