|  "With
a common-sense approach to food, I satisfy my hunger
and don't feel deprived."
I
was a chubby
kid who grew into an overweight
adult. I was constantly teased
for being heavier than the other kids, leaving me feeling
shy and self-conscious. I tried several diets, but none
worked, and I ended up gaining weight. Another factor
contributing to my weight gain was my love for cooking,
especially rich, high-fat desserts, which I enjoyed
preparing and, of course, eating. 
When
I finished high school at age 18, I weighed 215 pounds.
Lacking the self-confidence to go to a new, faraway
school, I decided to stay close to home instead of going
away to college. I continued with my unhealthful eating
habits and felt more miserable as the weight came on,
but I did nothing about it except buy larger plus-size
clothes.
My
turning point came 10 years later at a friend's New
Year's Eve party when I was at my all-time
highest weight of 330 pounds. I caught my reflection
in a mirror and the truth hit me: I was overweight and
unhealthy, and unless I did something about it now,
I would only get bigger and unhappier.
After
leaving the party, I thought about my past weight-loss
efforts and realized they didn't work because they required
me to give up foods I loved. Then I would constantly
think about food and binge,
abandoning the diet altogether. If I took a common-sense
approach and ate smaller portions of all foods, I would
be able to satisfy my hunger and not feel deprived.
My
biggest challenge was finding a way to fit my passion
for cooking into my healthier lifestyle. At first, I
tried to stay away from the kitchen to prevent myself
from thinking about food. The result: Food was all I
thought about. There had to be some way to combine cooking
with healthful eating. I found the solution after reading
several low-fat cookbooks. With some trial and error,
I could modify my favorite foods and make them low in
fat, yet delicious.
The
pounds started coming off, and when I started exercising
(usually cardio
and weight training five times a week), they seemed
to melt away. I didn't feel deprived, and I felt free
to give my body the care and attention it deserved.
I lost 165 pounds over the next two years. I had many
ups and downs — including plateaus — but I was determined
to stay on track. Another challenge to me was not to
beat myself up if I ate something that was unhealthy
and to take it as a sign to abandon my healthful habits.
Instead, I vowed to start again and always keep my goal
in mind.
Thanks
to losing weight and becoming fit I am in tune with
my body and myself. My dream is to help others realize
the ease and benefits of low-fat cooking and eating.
I've created and published a book of low-fat recipes
and run workshops and seminars on healthful eating.
Now that I know what I can achieve when I set my mind
to it, my dreams are no longer out of reach. I have
finally found myself.
Workout
Schedule
Running, stair climbing, step aerobics
or kickboxing:
60 minutes/5 times a week
Weight training: 30 minutes/3 times a week
Maintenance
Tips
1. Make exercise a priority. After you work out, you'll
be more inclined to eat healthfully.
2. You don't have to miss out on enjoying your favorite
foods to lose weight. Just enjoy them in smaller portions.
3. Don't beat yourself up if you slip. Get back to
your regular exercise and eating program as soon as
you can and forgive yourself.
Have
you recently made fitness a priority?
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