I went from a size 18 to a size 8 in 2 yrs. I know that may seem like a long time as most people are in a hurry. But most of us have learned that losing weight too fast can lead to regaining it back just as quickly and that such a fluctuation is not good for the body or the mind. Honestly, when I started out I had no real plan but just knew that I wanted to lose weight in a safe and healthy manner without stressing myself out about it.

To regain some confidence in myself and to get a good start on being physically fit as most dieting requires some exercise; I joined Bally’s Total Fitness Center. I was told by the fitness instructors that I would needed cardiovascular exercises. I decided to join their most intense exercise program which was very similar to military basic training as we had an actual military soldier as an instructor .Running in place, push ups, exercising with 5lb weights, running up stairs, sit-ups, 15 min jog all in one hour, 3 days a week plus I would walk to and from the gym which was an extra 20 minutes of exercise. On the days I would not attend the gym, I walked vigorously for half an hour during the day and in the evening.

Breakfast would be wheat toast or English muffins with cream cheese, fruit, coffee (using raw sugar and fat free non-dairy creamer) , water. Dinner would consist of chicken or seafood, salad with olive oil and red wine vinegar only or steamed vegetables, fruit, cold tea or mixed fruit juice. I also eat black , red and lentil beans with rice or make soup with them by adding seasonings. I enjoy pasta but only in moderation as it causes your weight to soar. At night when I usually crave something sweet to eat; fruits were an excellent substitute and they also aid the body in losing water, which will result in losing fat around the stomach. I drank plenty of water but also fruit juices and teas as I would grow tired of just water.

I started this exactly 2 yrs ago this month. However, I stopped going to the gym only 3 months after I started as I really didn’t need to anymore; I just used it to get me started with losing weight and to help me gain confidence.

I cut down on my alcohol intake to just wine or a light beer. I stopped drinking sodas. Since fruits are so expensive now; when I crave sweets I eat all natural ice cream but only once a week with some freshly baked oatmeal and raisin cookies, yummy! Besides a great excuse to indulge, right!

It feels great to be able to look as slender as I did before I conceived my twins. At one time I thought I was doomed to remain a fatty forever since I am over the age of forty but I was most determined to be healthy, happy and huggable!