Weight Loss Success: Melissa Put Herself First And Lost 60 Pounds

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Name: Melissa
Age: 27
Height: 5'1"
Before Weight: 215 pounds

How I Gained It: Over the last seven years I gained 80 pounds, between the stress of college, finding a job, my father going through a quadruple bypass and losing two grandparents and my childhood dog.

I always knew I had to do something about the weight gain and I tried numerous diets. I'd go to the gym for a week, but then give up.

Breaking Point: One day in June, my world was turned upside down. It was my birthday, and my boyfriend of seven years completely did not acknowledge it. To make the story short, I found out he cheated on me. I thought my world was over. I realized I needed to do something for myself and set a goal of loosing 80 pounds.

How I Lost It: I stopped snacking and cut down on portions and stopped dining out at chains like Applebee's and Macaroni Grill. I joined a gym and did Spin class three to four times a week. Then, I hired a trainer and worked with him once a week for a half hour. At first I was hesitant because he was so pricey, but it was worth every penny, because he kept me motivated.

I also created a healthy way of eating. For breakfast I started to eat egg whites on whole-wheat toast with a glass of milk, rather then two waffles loaded with syrup. For lunch, I'd have a turkey sandwich on wheat bread with tomato or a salad, rather than two slices of pizza. And for dinner I began to eat lots of lean protein, like chicken and fish, and controlled my portion sizes. When I felt the urge to snack, I'd have watermelon and cantaloupe, and I limited pasta to only once a week.

Within weeks, the pounds were falling off before my eyes. At the start, it seemed like it was impossible, but thanks to many supporters at home and at my job, especially a dear friend Kathy who got me started on my weight-loss journey, I now have stuck to my fitness and diet plan for six months and have lost 60 pounds. I have 20 more to go until I reach my goal. With the support of friends and loved ones and a solid plan, as long as you are dedicated to you, anything is possible.

After Weight: 155 pounds

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Comments

[Duy Than]

07:51 PM on 06/18/2012

She was beautiful before and after!

[Jacob Smith121]

06:21 AM on 03/30/2012

haha, quite interesting... i think very basic thing to control weight would be to get on natural sweetener, which will be cutting down intake of sugar.. there are some great brands available in the market. Try Zyvia, Its Organic Natural Sweetener. very cost effective as well.

[YooperSue]

01:40 AM on 03/31/2012

Actually, the very basic things to control weight, as told to me by my wonderful doc, are:
1. Eat less (of course healthy food, not junk)
2. Move more

I noticed that many people in the photos were involved in some sort of running event or other sport, most likely a new activity for these former couch potatoes.

[tleon12265]

05:24 AM on 03/31/2012

The eating less part is a myth. I ate more when I lost weight. I was just eating good food. Your body needs fuel. If you fill it with lean protein and vegetables, you don't need to "eat less."

[Aelfgifu1]

11:34 PM on 04/05/2012

Guess what? Sugar is natural too. I hate to break it to you, but there is no such thing as a healthy sweetener. The best thing to do is just give up sweets. If you want sugar, reach for an apple.

[Laurin Angela Young]

04:49 PM on 03/29/2012

You go girl! You're an inspiration to many.

[UserNameJane]

03:07 PM on 03/29/2012

She looks Great. They all do. Congrats.

[bmitche]

03:05 PM on 03/29/2012

Melissa and Condola, you two look great. Good job !

[bem dellies]

02:13 PM on 03/29/2012

What stands out is how much younger these people look after losing the weight. Very motivating photos!

[derkomai]

01:59 PM on 03/29/2012

Something's odd here. I'm 5'1" weight 145 and don't look anywhere near that thin. How does that happen? I'd guess she's more 130s or upper 120s. I also run and work out quite often so I have a fair bit of muscle weight just like she would.

[derkomai]

02:03 PM on 03/29/2012

I just noticed. The picture is stretched and the way she is standing makes her thighs appear thinner.

[DCBiene1]

11:42 PM on 03/29/2012

Your right, it does look odd. The picture looks way different now than it did early this morning. This morning it looked correct, now it does look vertically stretched. I wonder what is up with that?

[Chatt]

01:34 PM on 03/29/2012

Wow...good job!

[pati2u]

01:28 PM on 03/29/2012

Whoa! Congratulations! It is so hard to loose weight and yet all these wonderful people took that challenge I can only say they look prettier/handsome, happy and much younger! Hooray to all of them for their hard work it really paid off.

[hayleebugsmith]

01:12 PM on 03/29/2012

Melissa- you look beautiful!!! I also joined a gym, but can't tell you the last time I made an apperance there. To lose that much in such a short time-shows your determination! CONGRATS-Keep up the good work.

[Adam J Smith]

01:08 PM on 03/29/2012

These people, to me, are heroes... And, I, like so many, have experienced weight-gain-and-lost-it-again; but not to the degree "Melissa," and the people in the slideshow did. They take the stereotype of, "the overweight American," and show the critics that we are winners too. It is very hard to lose weight, as you can tell by Melissa's story. In a way, they picked a fight with her about it--and she showed them! That's how I did it too, but my way was training to be a pro MMA-fighter: along the way, I decided to try and kick some pounds.

[Deb Upchurch Gress]

12:56 PM on 03/29/2012

Woohoo!!! You look mentally and physically healthy. Awesome job. Send that dirt bag ex-boyfriend a thank you note. He saved your life in more ways than one! Just to share a trick that I use...do not keep close that are big on you; it makes it too easy to put on a few pounds. This way, if you put on a few pounds, you have nothing to wear. AND never go buy something that fits you when you gain weight. You are an inspiration to many. Cheers!!

[CoastalNC]

03:08 PM on 03/29/2012

"do not keep clothes that are big on you"......totally completely agree. I've gained weight over the past 6 years from being sick and have finally gotten myself working on getting if off....as something becomes too big, it is out the door to the Goodwill. You have to keep a positive attitude and hanging on to too big clothes is the wrong positive message.

[Reggie Smyre]

12:44 PM on 03/29/2012

Congrats. Most people lose the battle of weight loss at the table.

[lynngroh]

12:40 PM on 03/29/2012

Congratulations! You look great now, so at some point, you should reassess your goal to lose 20 more pounds. Don't try to set an unobtainable goal. It will only make you depressed if you have to deprive yourself too much, and then you'll go back to your old ways! I speak from experience. The hard part is maintenance, and not letting life cause you to stop being healthy and caring about yourself.

[tleon12265]

05:27 AM on 03/31/2012

To be 135 pounds at 5-1 is not unattainable. It is, in fact, still a bit overweight.

[dl0007]

12:39 PM on 03/29/2012

LOOOOOOOKING GOOOOD! Congratulations! Like I tell most people that have gone through a major weight loss : That was the easy part, keeping it off is harder! Never forget :

1. How hard it was to lose all that weight.
2. What you looked like when you were heavy.
3. Your lack of a social life.
4. Male and/or female companionship.
5. Ridicule and the hurtfull stinging comments!
6. Etc., etc., etc. !

The best advice I can give you is; if you gain 5 pounds : STOP AND TAKE IT OFF NOW! Don't put it off because 5 pounds turns into 10 pounds, 10 pounds turns into 20 pounds, and before you know it, you're YOU'RE HEAVIER THAN YOU WERE BEFORE DIETING!

Taking off all that weight is an accomplishment you should be proud of! You look great and probably feel fantastic. Remember that feeling, grasp it, enjoy it, and I hope you have it for the rest of your life!