Weight Loss Stories – Yvonne Lost 250 Pounds with Surgery

Name: Yvonne
Age: 46
Family Status: Married
Occupation: Sr. Project Manager
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Pounds or Inches Lost: I have lost a total of 250 pounds!
Starting Weight: 497 pounds
Current Weight: 247 pounds

Yvonne’s Weight Loss Story!

When did you become unhappy with your weight?
In 2000 I got married and was very happy. My husband and I ate our way through every new experience and by the start of 2002 we realized our health was in jeopardy.

What made you decide to lose weight?
Having always been on one diet or another my entire teenage and adult life, I decided this time whatever I did had to be permanent. I was borderline diabetic, my joints ached, my asthma was out of control and I was miserable.

What were the most important changes you made to lose weight?
Prior to selecting weight loss surgery I realized that it was not the food that was the problem – it was my attitude toward it. Why I ate. Starting about 6 months prior to surgery I cut out all junk food and started an exercise program of walking every day. I also realized that I had to find other outlets to celebrate or deal with stress. My husband and I together made better food choices and also planned our meals.

What was most challenging about losing weight?
After weight loss surgery the pounds seemed to melt away however, I knew that would not last forever and in order to maintain my losing I would need to seriously begin an exercise regimen. Working out at least 1 hour every day. In the beginning it was only the treadmill, then walking the hills in the neighborhood. I soon moved over to the elliptical glider and after 2 years I was finally able to take some of the classes at the gym. I am now a bona fide gym rat! I also know that taking my vitamins daily and drinking at least 96 oz of water per day is absolutely necessary.

How long did it take you to start to see results?
I started seeing the results after about 3 months. It took my mind much longer to grasp the concept of a new smaller me. I still have some imaging problems today always viewing myself as bigger than I really am.

How long did it take for you to reach your current weight?
It took me 2 years and 6 months to reach the weight I am at currently.

How long have you maintained your weight loss and how do you do it?
I have been maintaining this weight for over a year now. I work out every day. I continually switch my routines so I do not get bored. I still love taking classes at the gym – Spin, Cardio Kickboxing, Yoga, and Body Pump – however I also bike ride, jump rope, and do most of my stretching at home.

How has your life changed now that you’ve lost weight?
I am now truly living my life. I have energy that I have never known existed. I like to set goals and see how long it takes to achieve them when exercising.

How did ShapeFit help you reach your weight loss goals?
ShapeFit has given me ideas for different types of exercises to keep me motivated. They have also helped me stay motivated by offering variety in food choices that I had not thought of on my own as well as exercise alternatives. It’s great to see other women also striving for the same or similar goals and knowing they too are successful.

Yvonne’s Weight Loss Tips!

Weight loss tip #1:
Eat to live, don’t simply live to eat.

Weight loss tip #2:
Set achievable goals and reward yourself when you achieve them.

Weight loss tip #3:
Don’t beat yourself up if you fall back into the old routine. It’s not about the destination but the journey you take to get there.

Weight loss tip #4:
Keep a food journal, measure your foods, and try something new.

Weight loss tip #5:
Try different kinds of exercise so you don’t get stuck in a rut.

Yvonne’s Weight Loss Eating Plan!

Breakfast:
1/2 cup oatmeal 1 banana.

Lunch:
3 oz tuna 1/2 cup spinach 1 medium fruit (apple, orange).

Dinner:
4 oz meat (chicken, fish either baked, broiled or grilled) 1 cup tomato and cucumber slices.

Snacks or Mini Meals:
20 pretzels or 2 tiny boxes of raisins, or celery with non-fat ranch dressing.

Yvonne’s Weight Loss Workouts!

Weight Training:
1 hour Yoga twice a week, 1 hour Body Pump (weight lifting class) 1 time per week, 1 hour jump rope or running stairs at high school football stadium bleachers.

Cardiovascular:
1 hour kickboxing 1 time per week, 1 hour spin class twice a week.

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