Calorie-counting and self-discipline in April’s weight loss journey

August 26 2007

April Williams

-City & country: Northern California, USA
-Age: 32
-Weight before diet: 160 lbs.
-Weight now: 144.5 lbs.
-Target weight: 140 lbs.

April has nearly reached her goal of losing 20 lbs and this she did through a combination of weight loss techniques such as Slim Fast, Smart Ones, and physical activity. See how April monitors her calorie intake and makes sure she eats healthy without depriving herself.

-What finally made you decide to start with a weight loss program?
I felt very unhealthy. I had always been thin and very healthy growing up. I had gotten pretty ill and had to go to the doctor, and even being ill I saw that scale go that high. For me it was my realization that I needed to step up and take care of it now before it got really out of hand. My health was at stake in my eyes.

-What type of weight loss program are you following?
I do Slim Fast with a few of my own modifications like eating what I want when I want, when I need to. I also have Smart Ones meals for lunch as long as they are under 300 calories if I am not feeling like having a shake or bar. I try to keep it at about 1500 calories a day.

-Why did you choose this weight loss program?
I am very busy with 5 kids and I have tried to diet before, but it never seemed to work. I finally realized that trying to figure out what to eat and make it for myself was what was doing me in. I just don’t have time to put a lot of thought into food for one person and so I truly believe that the convenience is what holds the key for me in this diet.

-How long have you been on your weight loss program?
11 weeks

-What kinds of physical activities do you like doing to help you lose weight and stay fit?
Right now I am walking. I walk 3 miles a day about 3-4 times a week. I always walk with a good friend or two and we chat so it goes very quickly. It gives me a little break each day to socialize and just have a little time for me.

-What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome or are still overcoming?
Well, trying to figure out walking schedules is hard. Taking time without the kids. I sacrificed because I am not a morning person, yet I get up at 5:20 to get my walk in because it is the ONLY time available to me without kids. I have a really hard time with snacking also. I didn’t even realize it until I paid attention but I was grazing all day. Every time I was idle I would pop something in my mouth. My biggest obstacle is the fact that I am a chocolate lover, yet I was able to find 100 calorie chocolate bars to satisfy my cravings!

-How do you keep yourself motivated?
I want to be healthy for my kids and myself. I want to see my kids grow up and make memories with them. I want my husband whom I have known since I was 16, to still think I am sexy in 20 years. I have recently been diagnosed with a chronic medical condition that will cause me to lose a certain quality of life that I have known (energy wise) and the only way for me to even be able to keep up with 5 kids and all that comes with that, will be to keep myself healthy.

-Do you have any weight loss tips for our readers?
Just do it. I know it is so cliché but you have to find what works for you and no one else. I find that convenience is best for me. I also do not deprive myself. If I want a cone I have a small one. If I want a chocolate bar I make it a 100 calorie one. If you deprive yourself you will never make it. I also try not to feel too bad when I do overeat. I just walk a few extra minutes the next day.

-Do you think it will be easy to fall back into your old lifestyle pattern? How do you prevent this from happening?
I think it could be very easy to go back to bad habits. I believe that I have come up with an eating plan that works for my lifestyle and I feel like the fact that I can be flexible in what I eat as long as I stay within a certain calorie range helps keep me on track. I have made changes in my life so that even if I need a snack I make sure it is only 100 calories. I try to eat healthy all around and again, never deprive myself.

-Do you have a favorite Web site or blog that helps or inspires you to lose weight?
I have my own blog that I talk about my weight loss journey among other things going on in my life: http://living-a-full-life.blogspot.com.

For weight loss support I have joined http://talesfromthescales.net.
It is a great support system for me. I feel accountable and that helps a lot.

I also visit my favorite recipe site which has great healthy meals: http://www.recipezaar.com/

And last but not least I get a ton of meal ideas from my favorite magazine, Cooking Light: http://www.cookinglight.com/cooking