Weight Loss Success: Michele B. Found A Love Of Exercise And Lost 190 Pounds

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Name: Michele B.
Age: 38
Height: 5'6"
Before Weight: 387 pounds

How I Gained It: My story begins around late 2008. I was enduring a bad marriage and a very sick toddler with kidney and bladder problems. Food was what comforted me through these dark times, especially pasta, sweets and anything chocolate.

Breaking Point: I decided to change my life for the better and put myself on a path towards becoming healthier. It was especially important to me to do this for my children. The "new" me was about to start.

How I Lost It: I began eating better. I cut out all sugar, junk foods and foods that were fried. I focused on foods that were baked or grilled only. I increased my intake of fruits and vegetables, as well as whole-grain foods.

I also started walking three to four times a week for about 30 minutes each day. As months passed, the scale was looking better and better. I knew that if I could get down 10 or 20 pounds, I could keep going... so I did. And I kept going... and going!

I joined a gym, and walked on the treadmill, used the elliptical and did strength training twice a week. Today, I still walk outside and go to the gym. I enjoy exercising, although most of my peers try to avoid it at all costs. It’s a stress reliever, and I feel so good after I am done.

It was not easy. All I can say is that anyone trying to do it the right way should put themselves into a routine of eating better and committing to exercise on a daily basis in some form.

By the middle of last year I weighed in at 197 pounds -- 190 pounds lighter than where I started a few years earlier. I had lost a whole person! After my separation, I began dating an old flame from my teen years who stuck with me and had faith in me to help me along. He has taken "progress photos" of me all along the way of this journey. I know he is proud of me.

I did run into some obstacles. Around the holidays, I lost my father, with whom I was very close. I ate whatever and without care. My weight increased about 25 pounds. I am back on the horse and determined to keep going again. What is important to realize is that time is not a factor. You cannot expect to lose it overnight, and a great deal of patience is needed. The scale will show mercy if you can wait it out and make the right choices in what you eat.

I had made short weight loss goals throughout this journey – first 30 pounds, then worry about the next 30 -- but am now reaching for my ultimate goal to reach 160 pounds for my upcoming wedding next March. I know I can do it. I have come a long way from being almost 400 pounds, and I am proud of the results. For me, it’s not about being the skinniest person, I am doing this for my health. If I can do it, you can, too! All the best on your journey.

Current Weight: 220 pounds
Goal Weight: 160 pounds

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Comments

[scorpioleidy]

10:29 AM on 06/06/2012

One more note: Low-Carb REALLY works. Cutting out the sugar (pasta, potatoes, etc.) like Michele did makes your body use stored (reserve) f.at for energy. I recently lost 30 lbs. and this is what works (for me) and how I maintain my girlish-again :) figure!!!

[scorpioleidy]

10:26 AM on 06/06/2012

Go, Michele - you look FANTASTIC!!!

Congrats!!!!

[Nastasya Filippovna]

08:48 PM on 06/05/2012

Wait- she didn't need Alec Baldwin and the Feds banging down her down and taking all her sweets away in order to make her lose weight & become healthy?! IMPOSSIBLE!! ;)
Congratulations Michelle! What an inspiration- and not just to those that need to lose weight, but to everyone- seeing somebody overcome a challenge that takes dramatic life changes from the core of your emotional, physical and spiritual being like that, especially as you march through the trenches of life's pain, traumas and pitfalls, is just magnificent. I hope she looks in the mirror and not only sees a healthier, more confident woman, but a role model for ALL of us!

[Orinthes]

01:23 PM on 06/05/2012

“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” — Lao Tzu

That's awesome Michele! You are inspiring. Please continue your journey towards your goals!

[Adrian Columbia]

09:40 AM on 06/05/2012

Such a terrific and inspirational story and photo montage. I got lap band surgery in July 2011 and it was the best decision I have ever made.

[Gary Wayne Posey]

07:48 AM on 06/05/2012

Plain and simple Just pigged out and ate and ate and ate, do not blame on anything else! I would not have happy marriage either if you cannot control thoughts and have self control.

[Baylady43]

06:31 AM on 06/05/2012

INSPIRING!! THANKS!!

[tshark398]

05:35 AM on 06/05/2012

Way to go Michele! You recognize that there are no quick fixes in weight loss and you made the necessary changes in a healthy way.

LOVE yourself and be good to yourself no matter what. No doubt the rest will fall into place. Congratulations on your accomplishments. Good luck!

[SuzyScorp]

05:13 AM on 06/05/2012

I'm so happy for this lady! She must feel so good about herself!! I gained so much weight when I was on unemployment benefits for about 9 months, and between then and the time leading up, I had gained a whole lot of weight. I think my highest weight and size was approx. 210 pounds and a size 20. I'm now 137 pounds and a size 8. I think the most important factor in losing weight, in my case, wasn't really food intake, although I made smaller portions and didn't eat after 8pm. The most important thing, to me, was exercise. It didn't matter what I did, as long as I was moving..

[AmNeverWrong]

12:43 AM on 06/05/2012

Good job, but she's about 200 lbs now and can still afford to drop another 80 or 90 lbs.

[catmagnet]

10:42 AM on 06/05/2012

It depends on her skeletal frame. If she has a large frame (can't have her thumb and forefinger touch when they're wrapped around the widest part of the wrist is the most common guide) and loses 80-90 pounds, she would probably look and be anorexic.

[amd4008]

02:43 PM on 06/05/2012

How about NO "but's" just "Good job!" HAD to have been tough.

[Nastasya Filippovna]

08:44 PM on 06/05/2012

yes yes!! It's that judgemental "no but" attitude that makes a person end up failing or losing faith in the journey, because it doesn't validate what unbelievable lifestyle changes and disclipline they have shown that will have a permanent affect on nearly every facet of their lives!
What an inspiratonal woman- it is women like this who should be the ones that other obese women listen to, not the snakeoil salesmen marketing these ratpoison diet pills and yoyo diet quick fixes...To become healthy the correct way for longterm results takes so much longer, and that's why filters out those who aren't committed in the process. Don't listen to the cynics and naysayers lady, you are one heck of a warrior!!!

[lopjackie21]

12:11 AM on 06/05/2012

Wow!....She did a fantastic job losing all of that weight!
I am happy for her....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[campbell258]

11:50 PM on 06/04/2012

I am so happy for you, congrats !! keep up the good work. Thoes who care matter and thoes who dont just ignore them!! Your story and effort is very inspiring.

[BrunoMan]

11:29 PM on 06/04/2012

387 lbs = bad marriage.

[imarealslimladee]

11:26 PM on 06/04/2012

Michele you look great!

[Miss Pat]

11:25 PM on 06/04/2012

Michele..way to go great job.. God Bless you and now it's time to go for new clothes and also a good new hair cut and all the extra's that go with the new you. What a great thing you have done for yourself.