Jan Z. Edmond, Okla.
Occupation:
Business owner
Height:
5 feet, 6 inches
Starting weight:
290 pounds
Lowest weight:
152 pounds
Current weight:
155 pounds
Began weight loss program:
January 2004
Length at current weight:
One year, four months
Weight & Me
I weighed about 120 pounds after my daughter was born thirty-four years ago. Then year by year my weight climbed 5-10 pounds. I'm a stress-and-boredom eater--when I'm stressed I eat and when I'm bored I eat.
The Last Straw
My husband was unhappy--so unhappy that he wanted out of our marriage of thirty-three years. He said that I just didn't care about life anymore and he couldn't live like that.
How I Did It
I had lap-band surgery in January 2004, and then I followed a high protein, low fat, balanced diet. I hired a personal trainer and exercised at the gym and did cardio exercises on my own. My goal was 10 pounds at a time. The 145 pounds that I needed to lose sounded insurmountable, so I set a goal of 10 pounds. When I met that goal I set a new 10-pound goal. It made the weight loss seem more attainable at the time. Now I just watch what I eat. It truly is a lifestyle change. A change of complete diet habits. Now I'm the "food police" in my house. Once you lose enough weight, you feel like being more active and the exercise becomes so much easier. I still don't like to exercise, but I can make myself do it.
The Key To Success
Diet and exercise and a husband who supported my efforts. My husband dieted and ate the same foods that I had to eat and exercised with me. I also knew exactly how many calories I consumed in a day. A trainer once told me that that was the key to my success. I always knew at any time of the day how many calories I had already consumed. The trainer said that most people trying to lose weight had no idea how many calories they really were consuming in a day. A calorie is a calorie whether it is made up of proteins, carbs, fat, etc. You have to count calories to lose weight.
Derailers and Strategies
Social situations that revolve around food are always a temptation. But if you eat only good things off a buffet line or at a dinner, you can keep everything in balance. If you are unable to eat healthy foods in a social situation, then eat less of the bad and watch your daily caloric intake. Too many calories for lunch, cut back for dinner. All the new clothes that I've purchased keep me motivated. I want to stay in them and not start inching up in clothing size.
When I Slip...
Forget about them, don't dwell on them. Just get back on track. Everyone is going to have a setback occasionally, just get back on track.
When I Soar...
When people who haven't seen me in a couple of years, since I lost all the weight, don't even recognize me. They think my husband is with a strange woman. That has happened many times.