Jennifer Lost 65 Pounds by Counting Calories
Want to lose weight? My story has been featured on CBS' The Doctors, CNN, and The Huffington Post. Learn how I lost over 125 pounds (100lbs in 6 months!) by clicking here.
The before and after pictures Jennifer sent for her transformation are amazing:
I grew up fat. I was always the fat girl. I was always the fat friend.
I was made fun of until I was 22 years old (told to get my fat ass out of the way at a bar with my girlfriends). I had pretty much made peace with the fact that I was always going to be this way. I was always going to shop at Lane Bryant, while the rest of my friends shopped at Nordstroms and Macy’s. I was fine with my role as the “fat funny friend” or the girl guys love to hang out with, but never want to be with.
At my biggest, I was close to 220lbs.
All of that changed the summer before my junior year of college. My sister and I decided to try this new “fad” diet which required you to completely eliminate carbs (the diet we all know now as Atkins). I stuck with it for the summer and went back to college 20lbs lighter. I began working out and lost a bit more weight. Eventually, I knew Atkins was something I couldn’t do for life, so I started to eat carbs again…but still watched what I was eating and continued to exercise.
Over the next 5 years…I continued to work at my weight loss. Fitness bootcamps, trainers, Weight Watchers, cutting out carbs, restricting calories, the list goes on and on. I battled with the demons of weight loss. Bought laxatives, ipecac syrup, excessive workouts…anything to make myself feel thinner. I would have weeks where I wouldn’t work out at all, and ate what what I wanted. Then felt so guilty, I had weeks of hardcore workouts and little food.
To this very day (at a weight of about 155lbs), I still struggle on a daily basis with trying to be consistent with my diet and exercise. I am happy with how far I have come and am proud of my progress…but I cannot escape the thoughts of re-joining Weight Watchers or buying Quick Trim everytime I walk past GNC.
More than anything in the world, I wish I could just learn to find a lifestyle that works for me. Work hard and being healthy and working out, yet allow myself to enjoy life and eat foods I like (counting calories). To find that balance that you seem to have found. No fad diets, no laxatives the week before a trip…just to live my life and find what works for me.
The reason I had to email you was because it gives me hope that I can do what you have done. I’m so sick of reading articles about quick weight loss methods or eating steamed veggies and grilled chicken like Beyonce. Your story struck such a chord with me and for the past week, I’ve been eating like a normal person, working out (but not to the point of excessive)…and hearing your story makes me want to stick with that and finally learn to not let my weight demons control my life anymore.
I’ve attached some pics of me then and now. I cannot thank you enough for sharing your story and I wish you the best of luck with your goal. You look amazing and I’m sure you hear this all the time, but you should be incredibly proud of yourself. I know how hard that journey is and you seem to have done it the best way possible.
Jennifer
While Jennifer has had success losing weight by counting calories, she sounds like she still struggles with staying focused and being consistent in her choices.
It’s a fight we’re all in together.