Name: Victoria
Age: 35
Family Status: Single
Occupation: Network Control Operator
Hometown: San Francisco, California
Pounds or Inches Lost: I lost 64 pounds and about 60 inches!
Starting Weight: 206 pounds
Current Weight: 142 pounds
Victoria’s Weight Loss Story!
When did you become unhappy with your weight?
I don’t think I’ve ever been happy with my weight, but after starting a new medication, the weight began to pile on fast.
What made you decide to lose weight?
I was offered a free body composition test at a local gym. When I stepped on the scale and saw I was over 200 pounds I freaked! I signed up that very day and started working out the next day. I’ve worked out regularly ever since then.
What were the most important changes you made to lose weight?
Working out was important, but changing my diet made the biggest impact by far.
What was most challenging about losing weight?
The biggest challenge was keeping my calories under control. I didn’t do a low-calorie diet, but I have a big appetite and can easily eat 2500 calories in a day if I don’t watch myself.
How long did it take you to start to see results?
I saw results after probably three months. I’d lost about 20 pounds at that point.
How long did it take for you to reach your current weight?
Almost two years. I started working out in February 2004, and began the Atkins Diet the end of March 2004. I reached my goal in January of 2006.
How long have you maintained your weight loss and how do you do it?
I have only been in maintenance mode a short time. I’ve gained some back, but I have been hitting the weights pretty hard so I know at least some of it is muscle. My plan is to keep eating low-carb and keep working out – both cardio and weights.
How has your life changed now that you’ve lost weight?
Shirts that had become tight now fit again. In jeans I went from a size 18 to an 8/10. Guys will honk at me from their cars as I’m walking down the street. I like how I look. This is the lowest weight I’ve been my entire adult life. I can run faster and longer than ever before. I’m in better shape now than I was in my 20s!
Victoria’s Weight Loss Tips!
Weight loss tip #1:
Drink lots of water!
Weight loss tip #2:
Exercise – it’s mandatory!
Weight loss tip #3:
Cut back on the carbs. They are nothing but easy energy and not essential. Eat low-carb and lots of veggies.
Weight loss tip #4:
Don’t cut back fat too much. It’s essential to staying healthy. Get at least 30 grams a day.
Weight loss tip #5:
Cut out the sugar. It is not necessary.
Victoria’s Weight Loss Eating Plan!
Breakfast:
One or two hard-boiled eggs. A sugar-free protein shake or Atkins meal bar.
Lunch:
Some kind of meat and veggies. I vary the meat weekly and the veggies daily. I use frozen veggies to make packing lunches easier.
Dinner:
I snack my way through dinner rather than have one large meal.
Snacks or Mini Meals:
Plain yogurt – a large salad – meat and cheese wrapped in lettuce leaves, sugar-free Jello, glass of wine.
Victoria’s Weight Loss Workouts!
Weight Training:
Minimum of 30 minutes of weight training, mostly upper body.
Cardiovascular:
40-60 minutes of cardio, whatever I feel like doing that particular day. I go to a gym and have a full range of equipment to choose from.
