Donna I. Lost Nearly 100 pounds Age 39 Height 5’4" Starting Weight 244 Current Weight 153

Thank you for this opportunity to share my weight loss story. My weight loss journey began in November of 2004. I had just taken a family trip to Las Vegas. At 5'6" and 244 pounds I was unhealthy, uncomfortable and unable to keep up with the group as we walked up and down the Las Vegas Strip in 100 degree heat. It was a huge wake up call to me. I had been overweight my whole life but at age 39 I was heavier than ever. My knees and hips hurt daily. I had high blood pressure and acid reflux that required me to take antacids several times a day. I had sleep apnea. I was only 39 but my body felt like I was 89.

Since I had always been fat I figured that I always would be fat. I had tried diets in the past that starved me for weeks on end. At the end I'd go right back to my old habits of eating fatty high carb foods and gaining back everything I lost plus more. I knew deep down that if I was going to save myself from an early grave I'd have to make a life change. I'd have to find something I could live with for the rest of my life.

I began with some soul searching. I decided on a personalized plan, using the information I obtained from Diet.com. I was able to decide what foods I could and could not live without. My plan focused on cutting out empty carbs. White rice, potatoes, white flour and white bread were items I cut out. I found a high fiber bread I liked. I started baking with wheat and almond flour. I ate double vegetables at dinner in place of potatoes. I found whole grain rice as an alternative to white rice. Instead of regular ice cream and candy bars as desserts I opted for sugar free fat free pudding, low carb ice cream bars and strawberries with low fat whipped topping. Using Diet.com I was able to find a reasonable substitute for all the unhealthy foods I used to eat and the endless supply of recipes kept me from getting bored. I ate until I was full, but noticed that the healthy foods filled me up faster.

In addition to the changes in eating I also began exercising. I hate exercising but I found a 30-minute walk around the neighborhood nearly painless. Soon I added in biking, too. The pounds began to come off. If you have been fat for your whole life you may find that the people around you do not fully understand when you begin a weight loss journey. They will try and steer you back to their version of "normal" for you. You hear phrases like "just one won't hurt you," and "you can start your diet again tomorrow." During these times I found the blogs on Diet.com helpful as they kept me focused on my goals. They also kept me motivated during the times when I didn't lose any weight, which can be incredibly discouraging.

Today I am proud to say I weigh 153 pounds. I have lost a total of 91 pounds. My jeans size went from a size 26 to a size 4. My goal is 135 pounds, but I am just tickled pink to be in a "healthy" weight range for my height now. It didn't come off overnight but it did come off and has stayed off ever since. My eating plan today doesn't even feel like a diet. I eat a variety of delicious food, I eat until I am full, and I continue to lose weight. All of my health problems are gone now. I give myself a lot of credit for my accomplishment and perseverance but if it were not for resources such as Diet.com it would be far more difficult to succeed, and frankly I'm not sure I would have.

Donna I.