Any Success stories

[wolfy52864]

We all want the same thing. What I would like to hear are the success stories to keep me motivated.

I got my fitbit 2 weeks ago and I am wondering if this is really going to help? I am in my 50's and need to lose 50 pounds. I am up to 8,000 steps already and aiming for 10,000 in another week. Hard this time of year when it is dark by the time I get home and cold brrrr.

[wolfy52864]

Surely there are success stories out there

[ErinScott · Accepted solution]

I'm working on becoming my own success story, but I can share my journey so far... if it is helpful!

I've always been overweight, even though I was a very active kid. A combo of bad genetics, bad eating habits, and bad foods fed to me, led to me being over 200 whilst I was a teen. This was despite swimming several times a week, and playing many other sports.

In university I ended up with a cervical spine injury that meant terrible pain, no sleep, and a huge amount of difficulty doing anything. Between the meds that caused weight gain, and not being able to do much at all, I gained roughly 100lbs. I live with chronic pain and nerve damage from that, but the first few years were quite bad.

After a few years, I moved to England (from Canada) and ended up losing around 60lbs the first two years I lived here. That was simply the result of not having a lot of money to spend on food (I ate a lot of soup), and walking around a lot. Then I met my husband, who is naturally very slim despite eating loads. I gained back all the weight I had lost because we were spending weekends in relaxing together instead of walking around, and I ate what he ate (which I cannot do!).

We got married last spring and in September we started talking about trying for a baby next year. I realised that I was very overweight and really needed to be in much better shape before trying to get pregnant. I joined Slimming World (really just a healthy eating programme... it focuses on eating fruits and veg, and a well rounded diet), and started walking. As I started losing weight, my 1 mile walks turned into 2,3, and now 6-7 mile walks. I started swimming again, and lifting weights.I'm limited to low-impact activities and certain things because of my neck, and it can be hard when I'm in a lot of pain, but I just do what I can do. I've now list 46lbs since September and feel really great. I don't feel like it's been a struggle because I'm eating lots of good food (with the odd treat thrown in), and doing activities that I love. The weight keeps dropping off and whilst I know I have another 80 odd pounds to go, I'm really proud of myself for losing so much so far.

In my case, it was a matter of making my mind up, and just going for it. I got the fitbit over Christmas and it's just another level of challenge for me to ensure I get my steps in, and to keep doing what I need to do. If you make your mind up to do it, and set yourself small goals, you will see improvement! Be proud of yourself for any and all weight losses, and improvements in your fitness levels. It can be done, and I'm proof that even if you have physical limitations, or health issues, you can still lose weight.

[carl669]

yes.  i lost a 100 lbs in a year and half.  i've maintained my target weight range for 7 months now. 

[ter50]

My niece bought me a Fitbit Zip the last week of May 2014 for my 50th birthday. I used it for a few days to see what I averaged and it was around 2,500-3,000 steps a day. I made my goal 10,000 steps/day. At the same time, I started logging every bite I put in my mouth. I got to where I'd enter my dinner first to see how much I could eat and stay within my calorie goal because my idea of portion size was warped from reality. My family now eats dinner every night on salad plates instead of dinner plates. That helps too.

Over the past 8 months, I've been increasing my water intake, eliminating processed food, getting my steps, logging my food, eating correct portion sizes, etc. I've been eating low carb/high fat/moderate protein since December. It works well for me because I'm not hungry. I'm busy with 2 kids, 2 part-time jobs and a lot of community service activities, so most of my walking is in front of the TV in my living room, sometimes till 11 p.m. if I had a lot of sit-down meetings during the day. Walking while watching TV instead of planting my butt on the couch has made a huge difference. It also keeps me from snacking at night.

I now average 11,000 steps a day, and I've lost 80 pounds in 8 months. Life just keeps getting better and better.

[dlraymer]

I got the fitbit because I do well with routines. Having to enter everything I ate was great discipline.  I have been a yo-yo dieter most of my life, but was finding it harder to lose after 55.  I just couldn't get started!  So, for one week, I decided I would eat nothing but 3 weight lose shakes a day.  Those things are so filling, I didn't feel hungry.  The next week I substituted a bagel for breakfast (just a bagel, nothing on it) and a Lean Cusine.  Finally, I sustituted 100 calorie popcorn for lunch (I am only 5'2"-I don't need much).  What I was very impressed with (and sceptical about) was that fitbit calculated how long it would take me to lose the weight very accurately.  I thought it would work with someone younger, but not me.  I wanted to lose 15 pounds, but I ended up losing 20 and kept it off until I had foot and then hand surgery.  I gained back 4 pounds over 2 1/2 months.  I was getting about 50 steps a day, so I am not surprised.  I just got the cast off my hand on Tuesday, and have been doing my exercise routine since.  I have lost a pound, and figure it will take another month to lose the remaining 3.

My exercise routine may seem like a lot, but it is what I need to do to fit into my skinny jeans.  I do 30 minutes on the eliptical on a weight loss program (gosh, is it hard to get back on the eliptical) and 30 minutes on the treadmill (a combination of fast walking (4mph) and slow running (4.5mph)).  I can do this because 1.  We have a great set up at home-eliptical and treadmill in front of a big screen TV and 2. I work from home.  It is easy to find 30 minutes here and there during my day to work out.

I want to be able to downhill ski into my 70s.  I figure if I don't keep up the exercise, I have no chance.  The rest of my life is pretty sedentary-I am a lawyer, so I am on the couch talking on the phone or working on the computer all day.  At night, I like to knit or read or watch the Cubs.

I really credit my fitbit with getting me on a new, more healthy routine.  Whatever routine you decide you want to adapt, I hope you find it helpful, and I know you will be successful.  I am 58, and went to my 40th high school reunion weighing what I weighed in high school.  I NEVER thought I would be able to do that.  Set a goal, and use fitbit to see you achieve it, step by step.

Good luck

[SunsetRunner]

@wolfy52864 you can see my post about my weight loss journey here.  Best of luck on your journey and let us know if there is anything we, the Fitbit community, can do to help you attain your goals.