September 08 2006  

 Leigh

Country: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Age: 28
Weight before diet: 280 lbs.
Weight now: 250 lbs.
Target weight: 150 lbs.

To lose weight and improve her health, Leigh found that a method she devised especially for herself works the best. Deriving inspiration from some websites, she has been setting mini-goals, learning to say no to junk food, and trying out healthy foods. These are only some of the "baby steps" that Leigh has started to take on her weight loss journey.

-What finally made you decide to start with a weight loss program?
I've been battling my weight my whole life. I distinctly remember going to a Diet Center when I was 11 and I weighed 120 lbs. I was only 20 lbs. overweight then. During high school, I weighed between 160 and 190 lbs. Currently I have two children and gained a total of 100 lbs. with both of them. It breaks my heart to have to sit on the sidelines and watch them play because I'm too fat to join in. I can't fit on the rides at the amusement park, I get worried every time I see a turnstile (will I fit through?!?) and I'm just tired of being so tired. I'm only 5'4" and carrying around 280 lbs. I started to get chest pain after the smallest exertion. I would become winded after TALKING! I knew then it was time to take control of my weight and change my unhealthy habits.

-What type of weight loss program are you following?
I'm following my own program. I compiled a list of ideas from several websites and went with something that works for me. I know my body best and I know what my body reacts to, and what it doesn't react to. I also decided to take baby steps and set a small goal each week for myself. For example, the first week I eliminated any and all soda. Soda (pop) is a HUGE downfall for me. It seems that whenever I start drinking it, I automatically put on 5 lbs. So week one was soda. Week two was trying a new vegetable. Eventually, the weight started to come off. As the pounds started dropping, I started setting bigger goals for myself. Then, as I started to gain more self-confidence I started walking every morning.

-Why did you choose this weight loss method?
I've tried several times to lose weight. Each time I'd drop 30-40 lbs. then give up and gain it back. I've joined gyms and given up. This time I know it will be different because I've changed my mindset. There was a point where I finally accepted that I can't live like this any longer and I'm darn well going to do something about it. My financial situation will not allow me to join a fancy food planning system or sign up to a top-notch gym, so I decided to do my own menu plan and get outdoors for walks.

-How long have you been doing this weight loss method?
I started around February 1, 2006 and have had ups and downs, but am sticking with it.

-What kinds of physical activities do you like doing to help you lose weight and stay fit?
My main exercise is walking. Climbing stairs helps me too. I love going to a gym, but in all honesty I can't afford it right now.

-What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome or are still overcoming?
I'm terrible at beating myself up. I've really had to accept that I'm HUMAN and I make mistakes. So what if I had that extra slice of pizza? I used to get so discouraged when I deviated from my plan, but I had to realize that people goof up now and then. The most important thing is that you realize what you did, mentally accept that you're going to change, pick yourself up and keep going.

-How do you keep yourself motivated?
My main motivations are my daughters. My oldest is almost 7, my youngest is 2. It scares me that if I keep on this current road of self-destruction, they may end up losing their mother to heart disease. Very scary. Very sobering. VERY motivational.

-Do you have any weight loss tips for our readers?
I know you all hear it, but WATER WATER WATER. And the diet sodas aren't what they're cracked up to be. At first, when I vowed to get off the soda, I tried diet for a while. It wasn't until I dropped soda altogether that the weight finally started to drop. Get out there and exercise. You can do five minutes, can't you?? Sure you can, DO IT!

-Do you think it will be easy to fall back into your old lifestyle pattern? How do you prevent this from happening?
It's VERY easy to get back into my old patterns. I'm lazy. Very lazy. I'm also very busy and fast food happens. Sometimes I let myself slip; sometimes I give in to the cravings. Once you make up your mind to lose weight, I think something "clicks" in your mind and even when you slip up, you never lose sight of your goal. That is how I can tell this time I WILL lose the weight. I try not to pressure myself; I'm trying to love myself more and treat myself better and to remember this journey will not happen overnight.

-Do you have a favorite Web site or blog that helps or inspires you to lose weight?
I have all kinds of blogs that I visit on a daily basis. My own is Why Weight, My Journey Back to Myself. There, you can find more links to fellow bloggers. Their stories are really inspirational. I also frequent the NutriSystem website and use their free calorie counters, etc. You do not need to purchase their product to use the website.