Weight Loss Stories – Julia Lost 40 Pounds in 6 Months

Name: Julia
Age: 37
Family Status: Single
Occupation: Fundraiser
Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts
Pounds or Inches Lost: I lost 40 pounds!

Julia’s Weight Loss Story!

When did you become unhappy with your weight?
I have struggled with my weight since I was a child. I think the difference this time, the difference that made this weight loss successful, was that I was unhappy with my fitness level and that is where my focus began.

What made you decide to lose weight?
I started taking a group training class at my gym that is based on intervals of treadmill work and weights. When I started, I could barely walk on the treadmill, much less keep up with the other people in the class who were running hills and sprinting. My focus started on improving my fitness level so I could keep up in the class. The weight loss then became a goal in support of the fitness goal.

What were the most important changes you made to lose weight?
The biggest changes were around portion control and slowing down how fast I eat. Also not worrying, or giving up when I had a “bad” eating day. That was a big change for me psychologically.

What was most challenging about losing weight?
The most challenging thing is, and continues to be, that the changes are permanent. It’s not like I am done now and can just go back to eating like I used to and not exercising. This is a permanent change. Which most of the time I am fine with, but there are still those days I would love to go back to bad habits. Interestingly enough, once I became committed to the exercise, maintaining that commitment and drive has been the easier part because I just feel so much better.

How long did it take you to start to see results?
Two or three months.

How long did it take for you to reach your current weight?
About six months.

How long have you maintained your weight loss and how do you do it?
It will be a year this June. For me it is all about making the mental shift to thinking about these changes as a permanent thing. This was not a diet, this was a lifestyle change. That and continuing to set new exercise and fitness goals for myself.

How has your life changed now that you’ve lost weight?
I feel better about myself in general and much more confident at work. And, where I used to have trouble walking on the treadmill, now I can sprint with the best of them and am training to run my first 5k!

Julia’s Weight Loss Tips!

Weight loss tip #1:
Portion control.

Weight loss tip #2:
Occasional treats are okay!

Weight loss tip #3:
Exercise and more exercise.

Weight loss tip #4:
Don’t give up after a bad day.

Weight loss tip #5:
Eat slowly and mindfully.

Julia’s Weight Loss Eating Plan!

Breakfast:
Greek yogurt with walnuts and raisins.

Lunch:
Salad with chicken and lots of vegetables.

Dinner:
Lean meat with vegetables or complete vegetarian meal.

Snacks or Mini Meals:
Kashi bars, apples and cheese, plain yogurt and fruit. This is usually the lightest meal of the day.

Julia’s Weight Loss Workouts!

Weight Training:
45 minutes of intervals of weight training alternating with running on the treadmill. Also individual weight classes.

Cardiovascular:
Running on the treadmill outside for 30 or 40 minutes.

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