Weight Loss Stories – Jannett Lost 160 Pounds and 18 Sizes

Name: Jannett
Age: 37
Family Status: Mother
Occupation: Office Manager
Location: Corvallis, Oregon
Height: 5’4″
Starting Weight: 300 pounds
Current Weight: 140 pounds
Current Waist Size: 27″

Jannett’s Weight Loss Interview!

How much did you lose?
I have currently lost over 160 pounds total and lost the last 100 pounds since last summer. I was a size 22 at my heaviest and now I am a size 4/5. I used to wear a men’s XL t-shirt and now I am in small to extra small women’s shirts and dresses!

When did you become unhappy with your weight?
I was always “big boned” growing up. I actually am big boned since I can’t even fit my fingers around my wrists! I was always really active and muscular, but I was always uncomfortable with my size because I was bigger than the girls and most of the boys. When I was 19 years old, I had my son and I was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). I was no longer in my active job and my weight ballooned!

What made you decide to lose weight?
I actually decided to stop trying to lose weight and just concentrate on being healthy. I was always tired and depressed. I was never comfortable. I was always achy. My weight was never stable and it fluctuated by about 30 pounds or more. I felt like I was constantly struggling and if I let my guard down for a moment, I was back where I started. So I started learning about nutrition, and specifically about nutrition and PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome).

What were the most important changes you made to lose weight?
I stopped weighing myself! I also made small changes about every 3 weeks. I cut out processed foods first then I cut out calorie laden drinks like soda, beer and triple mocha coffee drinks since they all have tons of sugar. I only drink unsweetened coffee or tea, almond milk and water. I also cut out eating meat raised with hormones. Then I found out more about PCOS and I cut out gluten. I also stopped eating dairy and soy. I drink a smoothie every day for breakfast and I try to consume most of my calories before noon. I try to only eat real, nutrient dense whole foods that are as close to nature as possible

What was the most challenging thing you had to deal with during your weight loss journey?
My relationship with food and my weight. That’s why I had to stop weighing myself and just “feel”. When I wasn’t chained to a number on a scale, it was very freeing. I know this approach doesn’t work for everyone and some people need the scale. To me, the scale became a god and it dictated everything I did. Food ruled my life. I was worried that if I ate too little calories I would permanently damage my metabolism and I was worried about eating too much. All of my trips were planned around what and where we would eat. I logged all my food and tried to cut things here and there so I could have a “treat” at the end of the day for doing so good. It was horrible. I had to let it go. I had to retrain my taste buds. Now that I enjoy healthy foods, it’s actually fun. I also love to workout now and I love my body!

How long did it take you to start to see results?
After I cut out processed foods, people started commenting about my weight after about 2 or 3 weeks. I didn’t really notice it until about 2 months later when I went to put on my sexy tight pants and they were baggy in the butt!

How long did it take for you to reach your current weight?
It took me about 14 months to lose the weight and go from a size 16 to a size 5.

Did you have any issues with loose skin after losing the weight?
I have quite a bit of loose skin. Not as much as some people, but still a lot. I can’t afford surgery and since it would be largely for convenience and cosmetics (it isn’t causing me much pain or injury) it is not covered by insurance. I am disappointed because I feel so sleek and strong, but when I’m naked I look like I am wearing a deflated balloon of pudding. But, I am sexy in clothes!

How long have you maintained your weight loss and what are the most important factors for keeping it off?
I am still losing after a year and a half. I maintain my focus on health and nutrition. I changed my whole outlook, my whole attitude and my whole self! I make sure I am eating nutritious foods and I come up with fun and tasty ways to help others eat healthy. I make sure my entire self is healthy which includes my body, mind and my attitude. Food is fuel, so I make sure I eat healthy. But food is also social, so I don’t beat myself up if I eat something indulgent. I just don’t do it all the time. Indulgent food tastes so much better when you don’t eat it all the time! A small piece of cheesecake eaten slowly after 8 weeks of not having any tastes so much better than scarfing down half a cheesecake every week.

What keeps you motivated to continue your weight loss success?
I feel awesome! My chronic fatigue is gone and I feel sleek and sexy! Not only do I look good but I feel good. A friend of mine said, “I’d rather live my life and enjoy it fat and happy versus eating rabbit food and slaving away at the gym.” That’s not how it is! I thought like that for years and it really held me back. Never again! I feel great and I enjoy my life. That motivates me more than anything. My “fat and happy” days were anything but!

How has your life changed now that you have lost weight?
I don’t feel so tired and down all the time. I sleep better, eat better and look better. I got my confidence back and I smile more. I have fewer headaches and I’m rarely sick. I can do more and I worry less. My back doesn’t hurt all the time and I don’t feel like hiding like I did when I was heavier. I enjoy working out and have tons of energy now!

Do you have any advice for others who are trying to lose weight?
Three key pieces of advice that helped me the most were:

1. Make changes slowly.
2. Don’t beat yourself up, just keep moving forward.
3. Eat real food.

Jannett’s Weight Loss Tips!

Weight Loss Tip #1:
Take baby steps. I think people want instant results so they tackle everything at once and can’t keep it going. Make a small change and do it until it starts feeling comfortable before you tackle the next step. Make them simple steps. Don’t try to cut out junk all at once, try avoiding just one food that is a problem for you. Don’t try to jump into exercise with intense workout programs like P90X, just try walking around the block when first starting out.

Weight Loss Tip #2:
Work on cutting out processed foods and refined sugars for good. My cravings are almost completely gone since I cut them out of my life and I can tell the difference. I ate out once with my family and the next couple of days I wanted a cheeseburger, pizza and chocolate! It was horrible!

Weight Loss Tip #3:
Get moving! Even if you’re simply walking around the block, just get moving, stay moving and make goals to move more.

Weight Loss Tip #4:
Pamper yourself. I wear clothes that make me feel good and I do my own makeup. I paint my nails and I splurge on indulgent face wash and masks. You are much less likely to binge if you feel sexy and good about yourself. Don’t lay around in your pajamas, but if you do, make sure to get some sexy or sporty ones! Wear your sexy jeans and feel good about yourself. If you like wearing makeup or nail polish, do it and feel sexy. Shave your legs and put lotion on even if there’s no man around. Love yourself!

Weight Loss Tip #5:
Be healthy and focus on making health your goal. Don’t worry about the weight. Make changes for a healthier you and the weight will take care of itself.

Jannett’s Weight Loss Eating Plan!

What do you normally eat for breakfast?
I have a smoothie for breakfast with 1/2 an avocado, a low-sugar fruit (like 1/2 a banana), 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/2 ounce of raw cider vinegar, 1 cup of leafy greens, high quality protein powder and just enough unsweetened almond milk to blend it up. I use 1/2 to 3/4 cup of raspberries, blackberries or blueberries usually. The avocado is healthy fat and it will help keep you full. The cinnamon and vinegar are to manage blood sugar levels.

What do you normally eat for lunch?
Sometimes I double the smoothie recipe and have that for lunch too. Or, I have leftover fish or eggs with fruit or a leafy green salad.

What do you normally eat for dinner?
I snack for dinner usually. If I had a smoothie for lunch, I will have my lunch for dinner, like fish or eggs and greens and a bit of fruit.

What do you normally eat for snacks?
Raw nuts, fruit, veggies, hard-boiled egg, smoothies.

What type of nutritional supplements do you take?
I use a protein power and I take Vitamin Code Healthy Blood by Garden of Life for easy to digest iron. I have a problem with most iron supplements.

Jannett’s Weight Loss Workouts!

What do you do for weight training?
I just started using hand weights for training my arms. I do 15 reps with 7 pounds weights for my biceps and triceps since I’m trying to tone up my arms. I work my core, butt and legs with belly dancing or power walking.

What do you do for cardio training?
I power walk with occasional jogging. I concentrate on tightening and flexing my core and glute muscles when I power walk so it really works from my torso down to my booty!

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