Success stories in weight loss?

[sarahspins]

I think a general health workup is essential for ANYONE struggling to lose weight. Women are far more likely than men to have thyroid problems in particular, and the symptoms can often be fairly subtle, but the effects of a metabolism that is not working correctly can be far reaching.

A lot of research is suggesting that the so-called "normal" ranges for most labs leave many patients undiagnosed. A TSH level over 3 may need treatment, and at the very least, more extensive thyroid function tests.

If your thyroid function is low, you can pack on weight even if you're eating like a bird and exercising constantly.

[hoffsquared]

-What was your main motivation in getting started? Did something in particular happen that gave you a push to finally do it?

My moment of clarity happened one evening while watching TV. My last pair of 'comfy' jeans were no longer comfy. In fact, I could not sit and get comfortable while wearing them. I realized I needed to stretch myself with respect to working out. I'd been running for about 1.5 years but it didn't prevent the weight from slowly creeping up. That night I signed up to do a marathon that was 3.5 months away. So I had something on the calendar! Something to target.

-What was your main means of losing weight - did you join a program at a gym, followed by a doctor, join Weight Watchers,etc.?

Just additional time running. I don't recall really limiting my eating but I probably did. I did cut back wine to Friday and Saturday nights.

-How did you determine your goal weight?

No weight goal just wanted to fit back in my clothes.

-How long have you kept it off?

Kept off 10-15 pounds for 4 years now.

-Any tips for keeping it off?

I sign up for several races a year. I also sign up for a real test at least once a year like marathon or ultra-marathon. Last August I started commuting by bike as many days a week as I can. This year I'm doing olympic distance triathlon. Makes me get to the gym or get outside.

Refrain from that one/two glasses of wine on weekdays. Eat something small every few hours.

Have a big salad for dinner once a week w/o too much salad dressing.

I've vowed never to buy the next size up.

[Crankin]

I have had to lose weight twice in my life; the first time was the hardest. I was almost 25 years old and out of college a couple of years. I had been partying, going out to eat a lot, and I was divorced from my first DH. One day my dad looked at me and said, "Robyn, you are getting porky." Mean, but true. I am five one (maybe five, half an inch now). So, I stopped eating red meat, upping the fruits and veggies, and switching to a lot of whole grains. Remember, this was 1978; not a lot of stuff we know now was common then. I started going to the food co-op in Tempe, walking, and doing stretching. And, I laid off the fried stuff.
I lost 25 pounds in a year. It was slow, but it really never came back. Later, I started doing aerobics, got obsessed and actually weighed 92 lbs. at one point, after I had my second son. Most of the time my weight has been stable, around the same it was in HS; between 105 and 108. If it gets to 109, I cut back.
When I was around 45-46 I started gaining. I had slowed down on the gym stuff, as I was burned out. My DH had started riding and so had one kid. I was jealous! Plus, I felt pretty bad about my body. I think I weighed around 122 at the highest point. So, when I was around 47, I started riding. I started slowly, on an old mountain bike and after a year and a half, I got a road bike. The weight pretty much fell off, with just some minor changes in my eating. I eat way less carbs now and when I do, it's all whole grain pretty much. I vary what I eat a lot more than before and I eat much bigger breakfasts. I eat at least 2 snacks a day. I've had to switch up my exercise a lot more, too. I ride, I do core work, yoga, and lift weights. I still walk and hike, and do occasional months of running. I x country ski and snow shoe in the winter. My whole life revolves around outdoor activity.
Even though I eat out quite a bit, I no longer eat a lot of Chinese or Indian food. It just puts the pounds on. I have to take more rest time now, due to some chronic injuries and health issues, but I would say I exercise 5-6 days a week.
A lot of people think I restrict myself too much and plan all my food and exercise too much. Well, yea, I do. If I didn't, I would be a fat person.