Weight Loss Success: Crystal Evans Lost 120 Pounds -- Twice!

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Name: Crystal Evans
Age: 28
Height: 5' 1 1/2"
Before Weight: 240 pounds

How I Gained It: Growing up, I always had a tendency to be on the chubby side. It wasn't until high school that I started to really focus on being in shape. At that point I tried every crash diet and even some diet pills to drop the weight. I did not diet properly nor exercise regularly, which resulted in a lot of yo-yo-ing. This behavior continued until I got married in 2002. At that time I started going to a gym regularly and kept myself in decent shape. I always struggled with those last 10 vanity pounds that wouldn't budge.

In May of 2006 I had my daughter, Kara. My pregnancy was very hard, full of complications. I was put on restrictions for the last three months. I had Kara, via C-section, on May 17. I started my pregnancy at 120 pounds and ended it at 240 pounds. I was obese for the first time in my life and had a very hard time getting around and taking care of my infant daughter. The weight was a complete personal depressor and confidence killer; I didn't look or feel good. I didn't want anyone to see me. I'd have a meltdown trying to get ready for any outing. Nothing fit, nothing looked good. All I wanted to do was hide. This antisocial behavior was a total personality change from my normal charismatic, social self.

Breaking Point: I was determined to lose the weight but had no idea how. I struggled with it for a few months on my own when I decided I need help. I started researching weight-loss programs and decided to try Nutrisystem.

How I Lost It: Nutrisystem had the counseling and online community support I was looking for, and it was within my budget. After a year and a half I lost all the weight -- half my size exactly! -- and returned to 120 pounds.

I started by walking to and from the mail box four times a day -- each round trip was about a block. After about a month, I was determined to kick it into "high gear," so I went to a local lake with a wonderful walking and jogging area. I started out speed-walking the inner loop, which was 1.5 miles per lap. I felt like I was going to die the first time I did it. I did two laps, four times a week. I moved up to a loop that is 1.7 miles. Then I added in a huge hill, which made each lap just over two miles. As I started jogging, I went from light pole to light pole, telling myself I could make it.

But I wanted to have one more child. After talking with my doctor, I found out that I'd face the same complications. Knowing this baby would probably be even larger, I decided to go ahead with my second, and last, pregnancy. I knew I had the tools to get back in shape afterward.

My son was born via C-section in March of 2009. He was 10 1/2 pounds, and a month early. Had he gone full term he was expected to be more than 13 pounds! I gained all the weight again, as expected. But I jumped right back on the plan and in 10 months I'd lost the weight, 123 pounds of it this time, from 230 pounds to 107.

I couldn't have lost this weight (twice!) without NS. Now, I can jog for 10 miles! I have added weights to my workouts to fine-tune my new shape. I still continue to do cardio at home on my elliptical or with the kids in the jogging stroller. My goal is to gain some lean muscle and get that definition I want. I try to make everyday activities as much like a workout as possible. When I load the dishwasher, I do squats every time I put something in, or calf raises as I put the dishes up in cupboards.

I want people to know that even me, an average mother of two, can lose weight. You don't have to be a star with a personal trainer to achieve this.

After Weight: 107 pounds

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Comments

[rottie72]

09:47 AM on 02/07/2013

To all the people that are talking about surgery.
If your body looks like the before pic and you can look like the after pic, not to mention
the health issues that have been avoided now.
Work 3 jobs and go for the after look.
It could save your life.

[murkystarlight]

09:53 AM on 10/23/2012

Way to go, cosmetic surgeon.

[calbrsgo]

09:46 PM on 08/24/2012

Crystal - you look great. I don't care whether you had a tummy tuck or whatEVER. No one put in the effort to lose the weight but YOU. I have given birth to two sets of twins and have about 40 pounds to lose. You are an inspiration. Be proud!

[g35captain]

01:30 PM on 07/30/2012

DAMn!..... Motivate Me!

[peternyk]

07:41 PM on 07/03/2012

id bang u anytime, wth even before u got all sexy

[sunniegirl2]

10:41 AM on 06/30/2012

She had to have had a tummy tuck, becasue there is no way her stomach is that flat after losing that much weight and having all that loose skin from having kids, as well. My friend lost over 100 pounds and her stomach was the same way. She had to resort to a tummy tuck where they took off an additonal 14 pounds just in loose skin. The skin once stretched like that will not shrink and no amount of exercise will get rid of it. But, Crystal looks awesome just the same.Keep up the great work!

[mydrm2]

10:14 AM on 07/07/2012

I totally agree,, I commend her for the effort it took to lose all that weight , but please be honest there was some surgical enhancement done here.

[we3lsc]

01:09 PM on 07/30/2012

I agree.and that's probably why she's wearing a one piece, and not a two piece

[Zapbabyphat]

02:09 AM on 08/01/2012

Hi, I am Crystal. If you read back through all these comments I fully explained everything. Yes, I did have a tummy tuck after losing all the weight first. For more info look at what I posted earlier. I have been totally transparent in hopes of helping anyone that my story might inspire. :)

[azbluesgal]

09:15 AM on 06/26/2012

Young Lady - you are simply stunning... and that look on your face says it all.

[Zapbabyphat]

02:19 AM on 08/01/2012

Hi, this is Crystal (from the story) I just wanted to say a big thank you, your comment is very kind!!

[canthelpit]

10:21 AM on 06/25/2012

this woman is beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!! first obese person to lose and look beautiful. wish i was younger.

[Milena Koncar]

02:13 PM on 06/24/2012

Hi CRYSTAL EVANS: you look amazing! i am a woman, and i would like to know if you had to do a boob lift after the weightloss, cuz they look pretty good after. and like me, you had a lot! and when boobs are that big to begin with, they always sag, and after losing that much weight TWICE, they now look very good, much better than before! i am asking to see my future and see if i have hope! ha! i really dont wanna go thru a boob lift!.........

[StaceyJR]

01:19 PM on 07/01/2012

I lost 52 pounds. I was a 40D and now am a 34DD. I didn't have a breast lift but as the weight came off my boobs went up! Not even kidding! There is natural hope!

[Zapbabyphat]

02:30 AM on 08/01/2012

Hello! This is Crystal (from the story), after all my weight was lost I actually went in and had a breast reduction done. I know quite a few people's weight loss stories now and it seems like out of those losing more than 100 lbs, it is about 30% that don't need the lift/ reduction and 70% that choose to. Speaking strictly from a medical standpoint, it was the right choice for me. It made exercising easier as well as taking care of some rashes from the "sag". From the "liking what I see in the mirror" standpoint I am very happy with the choice. Fingers crossed for you to be in the "30%" and have them fix themselves naturally!! :)

[Likecandy7]

02:49 PM on 06/18/2012

That gut is so gross... I don't know if this is a success story considering she lost the weight TWICE - well unless we consider stretch marks a success....

[qtpeye46]

02:54 PM on 06/22/2012

you are mean.. I think its a great story.. its HARDER to loose the SECOND time around... Maybe it would be better for the world if the mothers of mean people or bullies where vain and didn't want stretch marks!

[sunniegirl2]

10:50 AM on 06/30/2012

Believe it or not meathead, no one has control over whether they get stretch marks during pregnancy or not. It all depends on your skin type. I worked with a girl years ago, that always made the comment she would never allow herself to get stretch marks because she thought they were gross and disgusting. Well, she got them alright, her first pregnancy was twins and each baby weighed over 7 pounds each. She was stretch marks from head to toe, even got them on the backs of her legs around her knees. Everyone felt sorry for her so we restrained from saying "we told you so". She recovered from the trauma she suffered after looking at herself in the mirror and finally admitted she was wrong. It sure can bring a vain person to their knees.

[ladyangelnyc]

10:09 AM on 06/18/2012

So apparently all of HuffPo's weight loss stories are NutriSystem Ads? Way to try and fool your readers HP.

[OpinesRmine]

06:16 PM on 07/21/2012

Hey if NutriSystem works, why not tout it?? I tried Jenny Craig years ago for about 2 months and quit it because not only was the food absolutely horrible, it was way too expensive with all the extra food I had to buy. So I started just eating sensibly and speed walking around my office for 15 minutes, twice a day, and simple exercises... I also started walking around the pond in our park a couple of times in the evening... I lost that ugly 30 lbs. within 2 months... Oh, and I also banned those yummy donuts with my coffee every day... ;o)

[bassasaurusrex]

07:32 PM on 06/14/2012

Amazing job and my God you are hot as hell now! (more swimsuit pix please...can't blame a guy for trying.)

[loveis22984]

07:29 PM on 06/14/2012

After my first child I gained 60 lbs. I was comfortable with my weight until a woman at the sandwich shop asked me "wha ha'pen, you biii', mucho grande." Then she puffed out her cheeks. I got a gym membership the next day. I lost the weight pretty quickly after my first child, then child 2 came along, and 14 months later to the day children 3 and 4 came. I cringe whenever I think about the work needed to lose the weight I have gained. However, I like your bikini shot and might give it a try. Especially since we seem to put on weight in the same places.

[Zapbabyphat]

02:17 AM on 08/01/2012

Hi, this is Crystal (from the story) Good luck!!! You absolutely should give it try (fingers crossed you've already started. Once you start that the first big obstacle is out of the way!).
*hugs and weight loss vibes your way!!!*

[robcabob1]

02:00 PM on 06/14/2012

nice breasts. if you don't like the comment, tell the photo pros to take a more respectable shot next time, and not a side boob shot.

[thenewgirl]

04:21 PM on 06/14/2012

haha

[hayleebugsmith]

03:13 PM on 06/13/2012

Crystal Congrats- loosing 120 pounds once is an accomplishment--losing it twice is simple incredible!! You look awesome and I am sure your family is very proud of you.