I like to spend my points on the things that dress up a meal - cheese, dressing, condiments, or if I have to cook anything in oil. For lunch, I try to have the base of the meal be a zero-point protein and a side of veggies. A poached or over-easy egg is zero points and I use fat-free or low-fat cheese.
#Weight loss success story full
Now, my fridge is overflowing with fresh food and my freezer is full of zero-point meats (lean proteins)."įoodwise: "Breakfast is always a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich. I also ate a lot of fast food or ate out. Most of my groceries were purchased from the frozen section, quick meals I could throw in the oven or microwave. I will rarely, almost never, regret making a healthier choice but I am likely to regret making an unplanned unhealthy choice."īiggest Changes: "Before, I didn’t eat a lot of fruits and veggies. I quickly learned the importance of tracking before eating. I didn't look at this as breaking bad habits, but learning new ones. Getting Started: "I focused on tracking and learning the points value of food. When I told my mom I had joined WW she met me after work and accompanied me to my first WW meeting and weigh-in." I gained around 60 pounds after I began living on my own. She made sure we had healthy food options at home. She’s been a WW member since I was in high school. Why WW (formerly Weight Watchers): "My mom. I honestly do not think I would’ve met my goals or could continue to maintain them without the WW workshops." I loved being part of a group that understood. Everyone in the group had their own individual struggles, yet we all still had a lot in common. Weekly Meetings: "I chose to go to weekly workshops to have the added in-person accountability. I don’t regret hiring a trainer - I became a lot stronger and much more comfortable in the gym and with weightlifting." I can testify to this universal truth: You cannot out-exercise a poor diet. I also wanted to be able to enjoy a more active lifestyle with my husband."įitness: "Prior to WW, I used various diet/fitness apps and worked out 7 days a week, but didn’t lose any weight. The only tears I wanted when I went shopping for a wedding dress were happy ones. Louis Bombers Rugby Club, were married in March 2019 in Columbia, IL.īig Day Goals: "I vividly remember shopping for a special occasion dress and just sobbing in the dressing room because I didn’t feel good about myself. Louis, MO, she and her husband, Dan, a chemist at Pfizer, who on weekends plays rugby for the St. (And yes, I’m still 5 pounds away from the ever-elusive goal weight.The Bride: Mary Sauerwein Bellavia. Riding the wave, I decided to keep going and I am proud to say that I am now 20 pounds lighter than my pre-pregnancy weight. The feeling of accomplishment and setting a good example for my son was so motivating that I was able to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight just six months after he was born. But I was moving again and learning to be more mindful of what I put in my mouth. Six weeks after giving birth (with my OB’s blessing), I was back at the gym. You know the phrase “If it worked once, it will work again.”? Two weeks after my son was born, I re-committed to logging and tracking my calories on MyFoodDiary. In 2011, we had our beautiful baby boy and I was officially over 200 pounds again ( after he was born.) Something had to give. Lesson learned: it doesn’t matter how many hours a week you exercise if you spend your weekend drinking vodka sodas.įast forward to 2010 – we were expecting a baby! For the first time in my life, I had to be comfortable watching the scale creep up each week.