Weight Loss Success: Natasha Cosgrove Committed To Walking And Lost 150 Pounds

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Name: Natasha Cosgrove
Age: 34
Height: 5'8"
Before Weight: 308 pounds

How I Gained It: I started getting "fat" after about 16 years old and sort of let myself go. I stopped caring about myself, I guess. My eating habits were horrific! I ate out every single day -- Chinese buffet maybe four times a week, plus Denny's breakfasts, late night stops at IHOP for a full breakfast, Krispy kreme donuts, soda all the time, candy, junk food -- I just ate to eat, without control, with no understanding of portions, just eating so fast and gobbling up whatever was there.

Breaking Point: One day in my office I went to take out the trash and as I bent over I felt my jeans rip. Not just any jeans, but a pair of size 26/28 stretch jeans. I was so embarrassed. I just said, enough! I said to myself, "Natasha, you put this darn weight on yourself, you're getting it off!"

How I Lost It: I joined Curves gym and simply shut my mouth. No soda, no junk food, no breads -- I decided to eat sensibly. I took up walking shortly after. What a site I was in sweltering Florida in the middle of summer. Each time I would attempt to walk a little further without feeling like I was going to die because it was so hot and I was so heavy. I stuck to walking four miles every day for a solid year.

About seven months ago, I started to jog. I never, ever thought I'd be able to jog. I just wanted to see if I could do it. I'd pick a tree and run to it and feel like I accomplished something. Eventually, I could run a couple of miles, and then more and more. Two weeks ago, I ran my first race, a 5K. I nearly talked myself out of it, but I came in third place! I'm signed up to run a 10K next month!

I stick to a low-carb, low-calorie lifestyle now. I eat a ton of vegetables, fruit, chicken and fish and no soda. I am seriously "addicted" to water. I control portions -- I don't need to see the plate covered to know it's enough. I've found great recipes for beans and soups which are great alternatives -- and filling!

I know what a struggle it is to be "fat" in this society, and losing weight without the aid of surgery is so hard, but it can be done, and I'd like to think I'm one of the people who exhibit it. I have a way to go still, but being a size 8 from a 26/28 is something I'll take any day of the week!

After Weight: 158 pounds

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Comments

[allsun168]

11:41 AM on 05/15/2012

I'm truly curious if any of the people in these stories had skin-reduction surgery. I'm trying to lose around 100 lbs, and I'm so worried there will be a ton of extra skin on my tummy and legs and arms when I'm done! I'd really like to hear if any of the authors didn't require surgery.

[ballerina83]

02:25 PM on 05/21/2012

If you lose weight slowly, the skin is more likely to shrink with you. The Biggest Loser contestants are more likely to have excess skin because they lose so much in such a short time (not that they all do, just an example here). And the skin is more elastic when you're young. Yes, this is personal experience. I do have a little bit, particularly in the belly, but not too much for me to be really concerned with especially since you can't really tell when I stand up.

[norepublicanleftbehind]

09:04 PM on 05/08/2012

What a great story. You are such an inspiration. One so rarely gets to make a real difference in life. Thank you for sharing your experience at any size!

[clmail40]

07:57 PM on 05/04/2012

her neck looked better before the weight loss... now her carotid arteries are popping out

yuck

[norepublicanleftbehind]

09:05 PM on 05/08/2012

Is this necessary? She is a person not some tennis ball for you to whack. Not nice.

[clyde jones]

03:12 PM on 05/20/2012

Please spare us the drivel!

[TheReader2011]

07:54 PM on 05/04/2012

l think many of us come to the day where we realize..wow..its gotten out of hand my pants do not fit anymore. Mine was when l put on my size 24 after washing and it seemed tighter than usual. l remember thinking, oh gosh.. i cant buy a size 26 like a friend of mine. That was my turning point. l was frustrated, sad, mad..depressed but l got up and changed my entire life. lt was sooo hard at first, not eating potatoe chips, drinking sodas,sleep a lot, lay around a lot..over eat and telling myself 211 lbs is not that bad (fat). Once l changed all that, got a job for just 3 hrs a day 3x a week and eat healthier it took 3 years to shed 58 lbs but l kept it off for well over 1 year now, easily. No strickt diet or gym, just eating better even if l sinned here and there. 3 years might sound like a long time but guess what , whenever l look at my size 11/12 jeans l smile each time. Wishing you all luck with weight loss...one lb at the time.

[Holly Rice]

07:04 PM on 05/04/2012

Good for her! Its hard work but well worth it!

[DSherline]

06:43 PM on 05/04/2012

When I looked at the pictures at the top my first reaction was, "Whoa! What a difference!"
Now I have to say good for her!
Once again living proof of the real life benefits of proper nutrition, regular strenuous exercise, and self desicipline.

[MelvinB]

06:43 PM on 05/04/2012

Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes are partners and they are out to kill you.

Get into a program with an RN overwatching you, talk to your docotor.. Start slow and keep it up... It's a tough road but you'll leave those two culprits up there behind....

[saracastle00]

06:25 PM on 05/04/2012

damn trevor, picture 51, was he pregnant?

[LeeAnne Averyheart]

06:04 PM on 05/04/2012

Is it just me, or does picture 89 look really, really fake?

[saracastle00]

06:30 PM on 05/04/2012

your right on point there, that looks fake

[batcrapcrazy]

05:43 PM on 05/04/2012

At least she isn't suing Southwest Airlines over her "right" to take up two seats. (See previous articles on AOL.)

[urkiddinme]

08:39 AM on 05/08/2012

LOL and AWESOME...

[CJulia]

02:59 PM on 05/04/2012

congratulations! goes to show you that when you want to do something all you have to do is put your mind to it. you look great!!!!! keep it off!!!!!

[freedomthinker69]

02:59 PM on 05/04/2012

How inspiring. Excuse me, I have to go purge.

[Candid Centrist]

02:42 PM on 05/04/2012

Weight loss has always been the same game: calories burned must be greater than calories consumed.

Start with the small things like rationing yourself to any drink that isn't water. Don't starve yourself, but eat smaller portions and more non-processed foods. You can lose weight fast if you drastically cut your calorie intake, but at the end of you will be left with flabby skin and an INSATIABLE craving for high calorie foods - and don't even think about doing that idiotic "water diet" (at least, not without consulting a doctor about hyponatremia.) Take multi-vitamins and fiber supplements. Periodically eat yogurt with LIVE cultures.

Get a hobby that has you moving around a lot. Go for nature walks (but stay safe.) Work you way up to a fitness plan that's right for you. YouTube videos for flexibility on days that you can't (or don't want) to leave the house. See a doctor if you have questions - I got prescription orthodics, and I cherish them every day.

In essence, change your lifestyle slowly (but surely) so that you body, mind, and social habits can keep up. Most importantly, give yourself a reason to MAINTAIN what you've accomplished, whether it be ever-competing with a spouse/friend to stay in shape, martial arts, or a fitness class with your friends. Don't forget to periodically reward yourself for staying in shape, but make an effort to burn extra calories next time you're working out.

Tomorrow is too far - start now.

[PRETTYWOMAN-2]

05:49 PM on 05/04/2012

is that yur pic ?.........yu look ~hot~ !

[wcaacw]

02:35 PM on 05/04/2012

Great job and I'm sure it took alot of willpower; most give up and you stuck with it. People gain weight over a long time and when they go on these diets expect to lose it in a short time which doesn't happen. Some gain over a ten year period. Losing just 4 lbs per month is a great goal and is 48 lbs if you stick with it at the end of one year.....

[canthelpit]

02:23 PM on 05/04/2012

why are the stories of these fat slobs who made themselves that way so much of a hero when they lose the weight that they put on? once fat always fat. maybe skinny for awhile but the weight always goes back on.

[buda001212]

03:58 PM on 05/04/2012

Wow, if your comment isn't speaking from your own heart, I don't know what is.
Almost everyone has as addiction for some reason, whether it's sex, cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, or food; unless you're God's only perfect creature, I think you should shut your mouth. As for the weight coming back, it's up to that person to decide. Personally, I'm happy that these people made the first step towards a goal that they'll work at for the rest of their lives. Kudos to them, and shame on you for being such a negative nancy!

[fredthill1935]

06:15 PM on 05/04/2012

jerk