Lotta uses Weight Watchers to focus on her weight loss goal

Lotta

March 18 2007

-City & country: Brookfield, Illinois, USA
-Age: 35
-Weight before diet: 251 lbs
-Weight now: 241 lbs
-Target weight: 150 lbs

Who says losing weight has to be a drag all the time? In addition to following the Weight Watchers weight loss program and doing exercises, Lotta uses humor and her online community to motivate herself and others.

-What finally made you decide to start with a weight loss program?
When I realized my joints and muscles were sore all the time from carrying around all this extra weight. It changed what was a vanity issue into a health concern for me.

-What type of weight loss program are you following?
Weight Watchers

-Why did you choose this weight loss program?
I need the accountability of weighing in every week. It keeps me from quitting.

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

-What kinds of physical activities do you like doing to help you lose weight and stay fit?
I love walking, and can't wait until the Chicago weather warms up. I just purchased an iPod since I know the music will help me to walk just a bit further and faster.

-What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome or are still overcoming?
Compulsive eating. I'm battling the weight gaining side effects of SSRI medicines as well as the desire to shove any and every carb I can find into my piehole when I get stressed.

-How do you keep yourself motivated?
I started an online support group called Future MILFs. Every Friday we post our pounds lost, what we did and if we geeked out when we got a gold star at our Weight Watchers meeting. Giving and getting encouraging comments make me feel like I'm not alone.

-Do you have any weight loss tips for our readers?
Enlist a friend, join a support group, don't do it alone. It's too easy to buy your own excuses.

-Do you think it will be easy to fall back into your old lifestyle pattern? How do you prevent this from happening?
That's one of the reasons I like Weight Watchers. I had lost quite a bit of weight on Atkins but gained it back as soon as I was no longer living carb free. Weight Watchers teaches you to balance your food intake gradually. The hope is that by the time I've reached my goal these have become ingrained habits.

-Do you have a favorite Web site or blog that helps or inspires you to lose weight?
Mom O Matic
Dotti's Weight Loss Zone
HungryGirl