Determined Bridesmaid, Healthy Bride
After
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Before
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| Name |
Andrea |
| Age |
28 |
| Height |
5'4" |
| Was |
206 lbs
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| Lost |
61.9 lbs*
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| Weight |
144.1 lbs
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| As of |
02/11/2008 |
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| *Results Not Typical |
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"Try to think of food as fuel for your body. Don't just eat because it's there."
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You never want a day of celebration to have somber consequences, but that's what happened when Andrea saw photos from her brother's wedding. With some new eating habits and a lot of drive, Andrea glowed at her own wedding, nearly 70 pounds lighter.*I was a bridesmaid at my older brother's wedding in 2004. I knew I was overweight, but when we got those pictures back, I couldn't believe the way I looked. I really felt like I ruined my brother's wedding photos!
Discovering Online
I struggled with my weight when I was growing up. Sure, I ate some fast food, but I wasn't eating horrible things all the time. My biggest problem was my portions. Even though my mom never pushed me, she always insinuated that I might benefit from a weight-loss plan. She just wanted me to be happy and healthy.
After my brother's wedding, I did some searching on the Internet. I knew from previous experiences that the POINTS Weight-Loss System worked; I just needed to find the right way to follow it. I was thrilled to find a plan I could follow online, because I'm not the kind of person who likes to talk about this stuff in front of people.
Never being far from a computer, I found Weight Watchers Online really easy to use. I'm not good about writing stuff down, but by following the plan online, I don't need to. All the tools are right there and very easy to use.
Food Awareness
The first tool I got familiar with was the POINTS Calculator . I figured out the POINTS values of the foods I was eating and worked out some simple ways I could do better. I've gone from being oblivious about the nutritional value of my foods to being very conscious about it. Even at the grocery store, I'll shop with the POINTS formula in mind.
There are some foods that I need to eat in order for me to be happy! Chocolate is one of those things I allow myself to have every day; I just limit myself to one piece, and I make sure to track it.
| Muscle Builder |
| When I started losing weight, I began a fitness routine that involved cardio four times a week. Once I reached my first goal of 150 pounds, I wanted to start building muscle. That's when I got a personal trainer and started weightlifting. That definitely helped tighten up certain areas, and I feel a lot stronger now. |
Prepare and Persevere
When you start something, you always imagine yourself crossing that finish line. A lot of people have told me that one of my better qualities is my determination. This is a difficult journey, and it's my determination that really pushed me to get where I am.
The best advice I can give is to focus on your goal, whether it's 10 pounds, 70 pounds or just being healthier. The food will be there another day. Try to think of food as fuel for your body; you want to have the energy you need in order to function. Don't just eat because it's there. Plateaus are going to happen; it's inevitable. When the going gets tough, just think about the place you're trying to get to and know how much healthier you're going to be.
I feel much happier now than I ever felt before. I got married earlier this year, and I was delighted with the way I looked at my own wedding. Our wedding photographer even told me I should be a model!
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